Romance Scam Awareness
Catherine Alexander
Partner & Mortgage and Protection Adviser at GDA
While online dating and social media sites have become increasingly popular tools to find love and friendship, they've unfortunately also become popular tools for fraudsters known as romance scammers.
Romance scams are increasing, with £92 million lost in 2022 alone. The criminals who engage in these scams are very good at what they do and will go to great lengths to gain their victim’s trust, it is therefore important to raise awareness and look out for yourself and others.
4 Common Signs of a Romance Scammer:
Profess love quickly, without actually meeting you.
Claim to need money for emergencies, hospital bills or travel.
Will try to lure you off public forums such as dating sites which makes it easier to access your personal information i.e., your email address and telephone number.
Will always plan to visit, but they always cancel because of some emergency.
No matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online or how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person do not:
Send them any money
Give them access to your bank account
Transfer money for them
Take out a loan for them
Invest your money on their behalf
Invest your money on their advice
Provide copies of your ID documents
Send or receive parcels on their behalf
If you think you have been a victim of a romance scam, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed, these criminals spend alot of time working out how to manipulate, persuade and exploit people so that their requests seem totally genuine. Contact your bank immediately and they will guide you on what you can do to secure yourself and your money, and also report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk.
This article isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure whether a course of action is right for you, ask for financial advice.
