LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Tuesday is Valentine’s Day, and that means romance-themed scams are on the rise.
Online romance scams aim to take advantage of people on dating sites and social media. The scammer will often claim to have romantic feelings for their potential victims.
Romance scammers often claim they are in the military or overseas, meaning they can’t meet in person.
These scammers will often ask for money, claiming the cash will be used to return to the U.S.
Attorney General Dana Nessel has some tips on how to avoid romance scams.
- Use TinEye or Google Images to reverse image search a potential scammer’s profile picture. Scammers often use stolen images that appear elsewhere online.
- Never open a bank account or ship goods for a stranger you meet online.
- Don’t send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to strangers online.
- Don’t give out your email or phone number to strangers online.
- If someone appears on your social media and tries to rush into a relationship, they may be a scammer. Take a step back and talk to a trusted friend or family member before responding.
