Falling in Love or Falling for a Scam? How to Tell the Difference

February 14, 2025

 

Every year, thousands of people searching for love online fall victim to romance scams, ending up with broken hearts and empty wallets. Online dating and social media have made it easier to meet new people, but they’ve also given scammers the perfect opportunity to take advantage of others. These scammers create fake profiles to trick people into relationships and then steal money from them.. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), people lost more than $1 billion to online romance scams last year. Older people are especially targeted, and many don’t realize they’ve been scammed until it’s too late.

In this article, we’ll show you how to spot online dating scams and what to do if you or someone you know has fallen for one.

 

4 Common Signs of a Romance Scammer

 

Romance scammers are good at convincing people they are real, but there are signs to watch out for. Here are four common red flags that someone might be trying to scam you online:

1. They Say I Love You Too Soon:

Scammers often tell people they love them quickly, even before meeting face to face. They do this to get your trust and personal information. Be careful if someone you just met online is asking you for private details too soon.

2. They Ask for Money:

A big warning sign is when someone you just met online asks for money. Scammers will often say they need help with emergencies like hospital bills or travel. Here are some common things they might say:

3. They Want to Move Off the Dating Site:

Be cautious if someone asks you to stop talking on the dating site and communicate through email or texting. This is often a trick to get your personal information. If you need to talk outside of the dating site, make a new email account or use a messaging app that doesn’t link to your main contact information.

4. They Keep Cancelling Plans to Visit:

Scammers often say they want to visit you, but something always comes up, like a family emergency or business problem. They may ask you for money to cover their travel costs. A common line is, “I really want to meet you, but I can’t afford the flight. If you pay for my ticket, I’ll pay you back.”

 

Tips for Avoiding Online Dating Scams

Once you know the signs of a romance scam, you’ll be better able to avoid them. The FTC has some helpful advice to stay safe when dating online:

• Verify their information: Search online to check if the person’s name, photo, or other details are real. Scammers often steal pictures from other people online.
• Talk to someone you trust: If you're unsure about someone you met online, talk to a friend or family member about it. Scammers try to isolate you from others, so having someone to talk to is important.
• Never send money: No matter what the person says, don’t send money through wire transfers, gift cards, or cash. Once it’s sent, you won’t get it back.
• Report it if you’ve already sent money: If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank right away to try and stop any further payments.

Search online to check if the person’s name, photo, or other details are real. Scammers often steal pictures from other people online.

 

If you believe you’ve been scammed, you should report it to the dating site or social media platform where you met the person. You can also file a complaint with the FTC to warn others.

What Really Matters

When you know how to report a dating scammer, it can be empowering. Many times, victims who report a scam feel a sense of relief after notifying authorities. Not only can it help with their personal circumstance, it can also prevent people from falling victim to the romance scammer in the future. Once you report a suspected scam, your financial institution will work with you on the next steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

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