Pennsylvania woman loses $11K after years-long romance scam

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A 70-year-old woman was duped out of roughly $11,000 during a years-long romance scam, Pennsylvania State Police report.

State police out of Rockview are investigating after a Milesburg woman reported that someone she thought was a companion ultimately scammed her.

According to the police report, the woman gave the person roughly $11,000 worth of gift cards and checks over the past two to three years.

There are a few tips the FBI points out to protect yourself from romance scams.

• Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
• Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches to see if the image, name, or details have been used elsewhere.
• Go slowly and ask lots of questions.
• Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
• Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.
• Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but then always comes up with an excuse why he or she can’t. If you haven’t met the person after a few months, for whatever reason, you have good reason to be suspicious.
• Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone.

If you feel like you’re being scammed, you should contact your local police department. Many romance scams can move quickly to try and get money from you as early in the fake relationship as possible — some, like above, may even drag it out to keep the finances coming in their favor.