Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 and for this reason many criminals take advantage of the date to defraud people who want to establish a romantic relationship.
That’s why AARP Pennsylvania, the independent nonprofit serving the needs and interests of people age 50 and older, is warning everyone to be on high alert for romance scams.
Scams often occur through online dating websites, social media, or over the phone, where criminals pose as potential romantic partners to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.
“Scammers prey on people looking for love and companionship,” said David Kalinoski, who heads AARP’s Pennsylvania Consumer Affairs Task Force.
“They use emotional appeals to get victims to send money, personal information, or even gifts,” Kalinoski added.
better be vigilant
With the rise and spread of online dating, romance scams have been on the rise. Scammers often create online profiles using stolen photos and false information to lure victims into a fraudulent romantic relationship. They then start asking for money, often claiming they need it for a medical emergency or travel expenses.
“It’s important for Pennsylvanians to be vigilant and not rush into a relationship before they know the person they’re talking to,” Kalinoski said. “Don’t send money or personal information to someone you haven’t met in person. If something seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t.”
AARP Recommendations:
– Beware of anyone who quickly declares their love for you or asks you to take your relationship to a personal level.
– Take precautions with anyone who asks for money, gift cards, or personal information.
– Be suspicious of anyone who seems too good to be true.
– Perform a reverse image search on images you receive to see if they were stolen from someone else.
– Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
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