Have you recently started talking to someone on a social media platform and now they asked you for some money? Be aware that this may be a Romance Scam. Scammers pose as a potential love interest, spend hours building your trust, creating the sense of a “relationship” and then ask you for money.
“New data released today by the Federal Trade Commission sheds new light on the lies that romance scammers use to take advantage of people—lies that reports to the FTC show cost nearly 70,000 consumers $1.3 billion in 2022.”
It may be as small as asking for help with sending a package or pleading for money to help pay an unexpected medical bill, but these are just some of the lies that a scammer will use to try to steal your money. Be aware of people asking you to buy them gift cards or transfer money via a digital wallet – once they have the money, it is gone and most likely they will be too!
If you suspect a romance scam:
- Stop communicating with the person immediately.
- Talk to someone you trust. Do your friends or family say they’re concerned about your new love interest?
- Search online for the type of job the person has plus the word “scammer.” Have other people posted similar stories? For example, search for “oil rig scammer” or “US Army scammer.”
- Do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture. Is it associated with another name or with details that don’t match up? Those are signs of a scam.
If you are a victim of a romance scam, or believe you have been victimized by online fraud, file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov and call your local FBI field office. We recognize that it may be embarrassing for victims to report this scam because they are intensely personal. However, we ask victims to come forward so the FBI can ensure these online imposters are stopped and brought to justice.
Learn more at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/romance-scams or https://consumer.ftc.gov/romance-scams.
Please contact our office for assistance if you have been scammed or have questions about avoiding or reporting a romance scam. The Erie County Office of Consumer Protection can be reached by phone at 716-858-1987 or via email to consumerprotection@erie.gov.
“New FTC Data Reveals Top Lies Told by Romance Scammers.” 9 February 2023. Federal Trade Commission, https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/02/new-ftc-data-reveals-top-lies-told-romance-scammers?utm_source=govdelivery
“What to Know About Romance Scams.” August 2022. Federal Trade Commission, https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams
