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Scam guide

Romance scams

Top tips to stay safe

Romance scams occur when a criminal uses a fake online profile to form a relationship with you. After your trust is gained, the requests for money will begin.

Realising that a relationship is not real is hurtful. But there’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. We will support you as best we can, including our top five tips to stay safe:

  1. Get advice: speak to a trusted friend or family member to get advice if you’re suspicious.
  2. Fake profiles: is this person who they say they are or could their profile be fake? You can use the reverse image search on Google. This shows you if the picture is showing up somewhere else on the internet, on another person’s profile.
  3. Don't commit: if you’ve never met someone in person do not send them money or allow them access to your accounts/devices.
  4. Keeping secrets: if someone asks you to keep the relationship a secret be suspicious. They may be trying to isolate you.
  5. Look out for friends and family: if a friend or family member is being secretive about a relationship that has started online or tells you they are planning to send money to someone that they have never me. Please contact us because they could be falling victim to a romance scam.

How to spot romance scams

Scammers use different ways to get your money. Here are the most common tactics:

  • Rushing the relationship: scammers often push for a quick progression in the relationship. They may quickly want to move from a dating site or app to more private forms of communication, such as instant messaging, email, or text. Be wary if someone declares their love for you quickly.
  • Emotional stories: scammers often tell fake, sad tales to get your sympathy and make you send money. They might say they have a sick family member or that they're stuck in a foreign country.
  • Exaggerated compatibility: scammers will often go to great lengths to create a sense of high compatibility, pretending to share many interests and values with you. This is a tactic used to build trust and establish a bond.
  • Cancelled plans: fraudsters make plans to meet in person, before cancelling at the last moment due to a fake emergency. This can create a false sense of closeness while keeping distance between you.