Love is in the Air … and on the Internet

But sometimes it is “tainted love”. The National Cybersecurity Alliance reports that tens of thousands of internet users fall prey to romance-related scams each year. These cons can be convincing and are pervasive on dating sites and social media. The crooks will prey on the victim’s emotional state and desire for companionship while trying to steal information or money. 

Following are red flags to help you identify these scams:

• The perpetrator requests money for something urgent like a medical expense or plane ticket. The request is normally for a wire transfer or gift card.

• The person claims to live far away from you.

• The relationship moves very quickly.

• They break promises to see you in person.

• They ask to move the communication to a different site or platform.

If you or someone you know is a victim, cease communication right away and contact authorities. Also, please see the following article by Stay Safe Online for more information on these scams.