(This post may include affiliate links from which I may receive a commission. Rest assured that there is no additional cost when using affiliate links, and I personally recommend any services or products linked below.)

Romance scams prey on the vulnerable looking for real connections online leading to loss of personal information and hard earned money. But with the right precautions, you can avoid being manipulated out of your hard-earned money.

Scammers Pretend to be Romantic Interests

Catfishers create fake profiles using stolen photos and make up elaborate backstories. After building online relationships, they ask for money for emergencies, travel, businesses, food, medicine, or other fake needs.

🚩 Red Flags to Watch For 🚩

Bad grammar, refusing to meet in person, quick professions of love, and requests for financial assistance are signs of a scam. Background checks and identity verification services can reveal phony profiles. Be wary if an online romantic interest:

• Makes quick professions of love before establishing a real connection
• Only communicates through messaging, refusing calls or video chats
• Makes excuses for why they can’t meet in person
• Has a profile with only a few pictures and sparse biographical details
• Asks you for money for various emergencies, expenses, or other needs
• Disappears suddenly but reappears needing more financial help

Protect Yourself with Prevention Strategies

• Conduct reverse image searches on profile pictures
• Look up their name, location, job details for consistency
• Check if their profile seems too perfect with no flaws
• Call out inconsistencies in stories and report suspicious accounts
• Don’t send money or share personal financial information

Verify People Are Who They Claim To Be!

There are ways to vet someone’s identity through normal conversation and communication channels:

• Ask questions about their background that a scammer may not know
• Look for inconsistencies in details they share over time
• Request video chats to observe mannerisms and appearance
• Compare photos to social media posts for consistency
• Look for Facebook and Instagram accounts with genuine activity history
• Consider doing a reverse image search on their profile pictures

Having natural conversations and requesting video chats and social media links can help reveal whether someone is truly who they claim to be. At the very least, you can ask for a picture verification with a special sign (peace sign, touch nose, etc.) Tools like social media checks, public record lookups and background checks can reveal fraudulent identities. Don’t rely only on what a potential romantic interest tells you about themselves.

Protect Your Heart and Wallet

Never send money or financial information to someone you haven’t met in person, no matter their excuse. And learn how to catch scammers before it’s too late by subscribing to our free online safety newsletters.