By rssfeeds-admin Raoul is emphasizing that there is no shame in being the victim of a romantic scam and that anyone can be a victim in this scenario. People who believe they have been a victim are urged to save all copies of their communications with the scammer, stop contact with them and block any phone numbers, instant messaging accounts and email addresses the scammer is using.
“You may be hoping to meet a special someone online or through a dating app this Valentine’s Day, but be mindful of red flags that could indicate they are not who they claim to be,” Raoul said. “Romance scammers take advantage of victims’ openness and trust. If you think you may be a victim of a romance scam, do not let any embarrassment deter you from seeking help or filing a complaint with my office.”
He also issued the following tips to help prevent people from falling victim to these romance scams:
- Identify a fake profile by running a reverse image search of the account’s profile picture. If the search turns up different names for the same photo, or if it appears in multiple profiles and sources, the person is more than likely not who they say they are
- If you are contacted randomly, it’s not likely to be a case of mistaken identity or a stranger being friendly. This is most likely a person being targeted in a scam attempt
- Be careful when communicating with someone who immediately wants to stop messaging through a dating website and communicate directly through text, email or other messaging apps. Scammers will often do this to collect personal information and avoid detection by the dating service moderators and law enforcement
- When using online dating apps or sites, use a separate username and email to protect your privacy
- Romance scammers might attempt to steal your identity or threaten to share sensitive information with your friends or family unless you give them money, so avoid sharing private information and photos
- Scammers will send links to trick people into downloading malwares that allows them take over your computer or smartphone. People are urged to search any shared link through a reputable search engine and make sure their devices have updated antivirus and malware protections
- Romance scammers typically pretend to have a bad internet connection or will pretend to work internationally or in a professional setting where they cannot meet in person. Be wary of this behavior
- Scammers may ask for loans because of a supposed banking error, for a plane ticket to visit you or due to needing urgent help with medical bills or family emergencies. It’s always a red flag if someone wants you to send them money immediately
- Tell a trusted person when you start a relationship with someone you met online. This is important because scammers often try to isolate people from their family and friends. A person who isn’t a part of the relationship might be in a better position to notice red flags
- In “recovery scams,” someone will claim they can help you recover crypto assets or get your money back, but only if you pay them prior. If money has already been sent, avoid recovery scams
Raoul encouraged anyone who comes across these scams to report the user’s profile to the platform or website they are using as well as reporting the incident to the police, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and the FTC. Additionally, if cryptocurrency is involved in the scam, further reporting may need to happen through the cryptocurrency platform, the SEC and the CFTC.
Consumers can even further report being a victim in a romance scam on the Attorney General’s website or by calling one of Raoul’s Consumer Fraud Hotlines:
- 800-386-5438 (Chicago)
- 866-310-8398 (Español)
- 800-243-0618 (Springfield)
- 800-243-0607 (Carbondale)
Discover more from RSS Feeds Cloud
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.