New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection
The
New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) is warning New Yorkers about romance scams and
is offering information and tools to help identify and outsmart scammers who
prey on people’s emotions and trust. Romance scams occur when a criminal lies
about their identity and uses romantic interest to manipulate or steal from the
victim. Thieves use different variations of these scams to deceive unsuspecting
daters.
"Finding that
special someone leads to online dating as an easy way to meet their potential
match,” said NYS Secretary
of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “But don’t underestimate the
lengths some scammers will go through to take advantage of your heart to try
and steal your money. If you are exploring online dating, I encourage New
Yorkers to follow the Division of Consumer Protection’s helpful tips to identify
these common red flags.”
The internet provides anonymity, allowing criminals unlimited time
to troll for potential victims. Romance scams have the potential to affect
everyone. Some groups are more frequently targeted, however, such as seniors--
and especially widows, widowers and recent divorcees.
Common Elements of a
Romance:
- Fake online profiles: Scammers create the illusion of someone you would be
attracted to and trust. They seek opportunities to meet someone online and
create profiles on a wide range of online platforms including social
media, dating sites, messaging apps and porn sites. They may find images
online to use in their profile to lure unsuspecting victims.
- Unexpected contact: Scammers may make contact online and use a variety of
methods to learn about their victims. They will do online research or
scroll the information on your social media profile in order to tap into
your interests and emotions, spark a conversation and build a
relationship.
- Build Trust:
Scammers are patient and may communicate for weeks or months until they’ve
earned your trust.
- Unavailable to meet in person: Scammers may propose an in-person meeting, claiming
they will travel to see you, but then claim a last-minute emergency
preventing it from happening. Scammers will often say they are working
outside of the country creating a convenient reason not to meet in person.
Be suspicious of anyone who says they want to meet but then always makes
excuses for why they can’t.
- Request Money:
Scammers often start by requesting small amounts of money and paying it
back quickly to build trust. Eventually, the scammers may request a large
sum of money, usually as a loan, to be wired to them for things ranging
from business investments, property, debts, illness and more. They may
even ask for money for airfare so they can visit you. Once they receive
the money, the scammer will often ask for more or create a new reason they
need to borrow money. This will continue until the victim becomes suspicious,
at which point the scammer will usually stop all contact and disappear.
- Fake Cryptocurrency Investment: The FBI has
identified a trend in which criminals are increasingly pressuring victims
to invest in cryptocurrency. The scam starts as an online relationship,
but instead of asking for cash, the scammer convinces the victim to
investment in cryptocurrency. To demonstrate the returns on investment,
victims are directed to fake websites that trick victims into believing
these investment opportunities are legitimate. Once the victim makes a
purchase, they are denied the ability to cash out their investments and the
scammer vanishes.
- Liability:
Scammers may convert their victims into
unwitting criminals by convincing them to launder and move fraudulent
funds, which the victim may then be liable for both financially and
potentially criminally.
Tips
to Avoid Romance Scams:
- If someone you haven’t met in person asks you for
money, assume it is a scam, even if they say they need it for an emergency
or traumatic life event. Never give or loan money to someone that you have
not met in person.
- Remember that wire transfers, prepaid cards, gift
cards, and cryptocurrency are all equal to sending cash that you cannot
get back. If someone asks for these types of payments, assume it is a
scam.
- Do not give out personal information to someone online,
including payment and banking information, especially if you have not met
them before.
- Use trusted online dating sites, but still exercise
caution. Beware of online interactions that quickly ask you to leave a
dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
- Be cautious of people you meet online who say they are
an American abroad or a deployed soldier.
- Schedule a live video-chat early in the relationship to
ensure they are the person they are presenting in their profile.
- Research anyone in whom you have an interest. Ask
questions. Look them up online. Verify details where you can.
- Do a reverse image search of the person’s
profile picture. If it is linked to another name or details that don’t
line up, it’s likely a scam.
- Familiarize yourself with privacy settings for all your
online platforms and consider limiting who has access to your personal
information, contact lists and location.
- Turn off or cover your web cameras when you’re not
using them.
- Don’t keep it a secret. Talk to a friend or relative
about online interactions.
The New York
State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education
materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation
services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline
1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding
State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.
Follow the New
York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and
check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New
York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts
directly to your email or phone here.
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