Officials Urge Public to Watch for Romance Scams Ahead of Valentine’s Day

warning signs typically follow a familiar pattern

FTC – As Valentine’s Day approaches, consumer protection officials are reminding the public to stay alert for romance scams, warning that advances in artificial intelligence and other technology are making fraudulent schemes more difficult to detect.

Romance scams can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. Scammers often build relationships online over time, contacting victims daily and engaging in personal conversations to establish trust. However, authorities say the warning signs typically follow a familiar pattern.

One common red flag is when an online love interest repeatedly avoids meeting in person. Scammers frequently claim they are serving in the military, working overseas, conducting business abroad, or stationed on an oil rig. In some cases, they may even make plans to meet, only to cancel at the last minute with an excuse.

Another major warning sign is a request for money. After building emotional rapport, scammers often claim to be facing an emergency such as medical expenses, travel costs to visit, or other urgent financial needs. Once the request is made, they typically provide specific instructions on how to send the funds.

Authorities caution that scammers direct victims to use payment methods that are difficult to trace or recover. These can include wiring money through companies such as Western Union or MoneyGram, placing money on gift cards and sharing the numbers on the back, sending funds through payment apps, or transferring cryptocurrency.

Officials advise anyone who suspects they may be dealing with a romance scammer to immediately cut off contact and speak with someone they trust. A second opinion from a friend or family member can help provide perspective.

They also recommend conducting online research by searching the individual’s claimed profession along with the word scammer to see if similar stories have been reported. Performing a reverse image search of a profile photo can also reveal whether the image is linked to a different name or inconsistent details, both strong indicators of fraud.

With scammers increasingly using sophisticated tools, including artificial intelligence, authorities emphasize that awareness and caution remain the best defense. Consumers are encouraged to educate themselves about romance scams and to remain vigilant when forming online relationships.

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