How to avoid being scammed in internet love affairs
Never provide a new love connection your bank account or credit card information. This is one of several methods for avoiding internet scams.
Genevieve Noakes, Wise’s Compliance Lead APAC, shares her advice.
There is no limit to what may happen to innocent individuals in this age of ultimate connectedness online, where people are buying and selling items, meeting new acquaintances, and falling in love.
And, with the surge in scams and cyber assaults, we decided to ask Genevieve some critical questions about being safe online and not letting love get in the way of allowing crooks to empty our bank accounts!
Here is what she tells the large number of people who may fall victim to love scams in particular.
Knowing what information shouldn’t be shared, i.e. don’t share personal information like bank account or credit card numbers with a new love connection.
To better protect yourself, don’t share personal information including bank accounts or credit card numbers. On top of this, be careful what you post and make public online.
Mark your social media profiles private as scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
In saying that, using social media and the internet can also be to your advantage, research the person’s photo and profile using online searches and reverse image searches to see if the image, name, or details have been used elsewhere. You can use video chat to validate if the person is who they say they are (but still be cautious of their intentions).
Don’t get scammed
Which questions from a new love interest could be red flags.
If you ask a new love interest questions and they don’t give you straight answers or question why you’re asking, that could be a red flag. Ask specific questions about details given in a profile. A scammer may stumble over remembering details or making a story fit. If the person you’re talking to hesitates to use your name and instead frequently uses pet names, that can be an indication that the messages are pre-written or coming from a script.
Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but then always comes up with an excuse why they can’t – especially if those reasons are related to money. If you haven’t met the person after a few months, for whatever reason, you have good reason to be suspicious and it should also be considered a red flag.
Lastly, while love can be found in unlikely places, keep in mind that dedicated dating apps are likely to have systems in place to help tackle scams. If the interaction you’re having started in a gaming or other social app, these safeguards may not exist!
Other Red Flags – requests for money and financial help
Never send money, gifts or gift cards to a crush you haven’t met in person. If you have only communicated with someone online or through phone, you should be alert to their intentions at least until you meet. Often once a relationship is established, a scammer will make up a story about needing money, such as to help with a medical emergency, illness or injury for a family member, or to pay for a visa or ticket to visit you.
They may also mention a lucrative business opportunity that they know of and want to help you invest in. These are all ways of getting money or gifts from you, which may happen repeatedly over a period of time. Typically, during this stage the scammer will make plans or promise to meet you, but will cancel these meetings last-minute due to an “unforeseen mishap” or “catastrophe”, before one day disappearing completely, leading to you losing your funds.
Let your mind speak
What to do if you’re unsure?
If something seems off, it probably is, especially if things seem to be moving quickly and seem too good to be true. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so you can always run the situation through a trusted friend or loved one.
If you’re very suspicious, contact your local scamwatch, or if you have already sent funds you should immediately contact your financial institution and the police.
Have a friend or family member you’re worried about?
Romance scams can be difficult to recognise for the victim because they have an emotional investment in the relationship. Sometimes it is difficult for friends or family members to convince victims that they’re being scammed. In these cases it is sometimes helpful to direct the victim to websites that explain scams, or show them news stories and documentaries of similar victims. A good one to start with is available on Netflix and is called “The Tinder Swindler”.