As Valentine’s Day nears, the FBI is warning iPhone and Android users about the rise of romance scams, which cost people billions of dollars every year, especially in February.
Scammers use social media and dating apps to target victims, and the FBI urges users to be cautious, particularly when moving conversations to encrypted messaging platforms.
The FBI highlights three key signs of a potential scam:
- The person refuses to meet in person or asks for money, gifts, or loans.
- They quickly push the conversation to a secure messaging platform like WhatsApp or Telegram.
- The person claims to be overseas, has poor grammar, or professes love too quickly.
Scammers are experts at gaining trust fast by studying social media profiles and creating an emotional connection. Once they gain trust, they try to manipulate their victims.
The FBI advises using trusted dating apps, taking relationships slowly, and not sharing too much personal information right away. Never send money or gift cards to someone you’ve only talked to online.
Remember to trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is.
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