If a love interest is asking for money, that is a major red flag!
Romance scammers might contact you through dating apps or social media accounts. They may make plans to come and see you but something always comes up with work or they can't because they are in the military.
After the romance starts to bloom they start to ask for money for a plane ticket, an emergency because someone they know is hurt or they want to teach you how to invest money. They might even ask you deposit checks for them because they don't have a bank account or are overseas in the military. Then the scammer will ask you to send them cash back or gift cards.
How to spot a scam:
- You meet someone on a dating app or on social media and they are rushing into a romance. Say "I love you" quickly and talk about marriage before even meeting.
- If an online interest asks you for money -- that's a scam! Don't send a gift card, wire funds or deposit a check and send them cash.
- If the individual promises to meet in person but then always comes up with an excuse why he or she can’t.
- They break promises to meet you.
- Their profile seems too good to be true.
Learn more about love scams at consumer.ftc.gov or report a love scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
