This Valentine’s Day don’t let your heart drain your bank account. According to a Federal Trade Commission report, Americans have lost $143 million on online dating scams last year. Emma Fletcher with the FTC said Romance scams generated the highest in fraud related reports. The Scammers will make fake profiles, talk to you for months and then lure you into sending money. “This Valentine’s Day I could imagine people talking through dating websites will send something to someone who could possibly be a scammer,” Fletcher said. She said they have reports of scammers going as far as sending gifts to draw people in that much more. “One important thing to note is that they say they’re overseas and often times say they’re a soldier deployed or make some kind of excuse as to why they can’t meet,” Fletcher said
Fletcher warns people to be suspicious, ask questions and possibly do a reverse image search
To file a complaint visit www.ftc.gov
