Dating Sites: Watch Out for Cons

HARRISBURG, PA -- It’s easy to blame the victim. But romance scams are big business, and its perpetrators have the playbook down pat. If you are a target, you will become their full-time job, 24/7 - until payday.

Scammers start by creating fake profiles on legitimate dating services. Then, once they make contact with their target, they immediately move the relationship off the site. Romance scammers take the long view building trust over months through an overwhelming flood of personal texts, emails, and phone calls before launching the money grab.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Americans lost $82 million to online dating fraud in just the last six months of 2014.

Watch out if you “meet” someone who:

1. Wants to leave the dating site immediately and use personal email or instant messaging to communicate with you

2. Makes several spelling and grammar mistakes when communicating

3. Sends a personal photo that looks like something from a glamour magazine

4. Professes love too quickly

5. Claims to be from the U.S., but is traveling or working overseas

6. Makes excuses about not being able to speak by phone

7. Plans to visit, but cancels at the last minute because of a traumatic event or a business deal gone sour

8. Asks for money for a variety of reasons (travel, medical emergencies, hotel bills, hospitals bills for child or other relative, visas or other official documents, losses from a financial setback)

9. Requests you to wire money or to cash a check or money order and send money back or to a third person; and

10. Makes several, ongoing requests for more money.

For information about other scams, sign up for AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. You’ll receive free email alerts with tips and resources to help you spot and avoid identity theft