Valentine's Day is for romantics — and the scammers who target them
Robert J. Rodriguez, Secretary of State of New York, speaks in support of health on April 8, 2022, in Albany. Credit: AP/Hans Pennink
Valentine’s Day may be a time to celebrate romance and love. But officials at the New York State Department of Consumer Protection warn it’s also a time for scammers to target unsuspecting romantics with propositions too good to be true — in hopes of stealing your money instead of your heart.
On Tuesday state Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez warned residents to pay attention to the red flags as criminals trolled for victims.
“Valentine’s Day means love is in the air, and for many finding that special someone leads to online dating as an easy way to meet their potential match,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “But don’t underestimate the lengths some scammers will go through to take advantage of your heart and try to steal your money.”
Officials warn that “romance scams” often target seniors, especially widows, widowers and recent divorcees. But they also may target anyone looking for love.
Common elements of a romance scam could include: the use of fake online profiles to create an illusion of attraction and trust; unexpected contact from a scammer hoping to lure their next victim in hopes of building a relationship — to gain your trust and defraud you; and requesting money from you, asking first for small amounts that are paid back quickly to gain your trust, before claiming some emergency that requires a large amount of cash — funds you’ll likely never see again.
Officials advise: “If someone you haven’t met in person asks you for money, assume it is a scam.”
And, officials said, remember wire transfers, prepaid cards, gift cards and cryptocurrencies all are the equivalent of sending someone cash — funds you’ll likely never get back.
Never give out payment or banking information. Beware of online interactions that “quickly ask you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly” and be especially cautious of someone you meet online claiming to be an American abroad — or, a deployed soldier.
The Federal Trade Commission found that almost 70,000 Americans reported being victims of a romance scam in 2022, the last full year for which figures are available, with losses at what the FTC called “a staggering $1.3 billion” — or a median reported loss of $4,400 per victim.
Valentine’s Day may be a time to celebrate romance and love. But officials at the New York State Department of Consumer Protection warn it’s also a time for scammers to target unsuspecting romantics with propositions too good to be true — in hopes of stealing your money instead of your heart.
On Tuesday state Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez warned residents to pay attention to the red flags as criminals trolled for victims.
“Valentine’s Day means love is in the air, and for many finding that special someone leads to online dating as an easy way to meet their potential match,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “But don’t underestimate the lengths some scammers will go through to take advantage of your heart and try to steal your money.”
Officials warn that “romance scams” often target seniors, especially widows, widowers and recent divorcees. But they also may target anyone looking for love.
Common elements of a romance scam could include: the use of fake online profiles to create an illusion of attraction and trust; unexpected contact from a scammer hoping to lure their next victim in hopes of building a relationship — to gain your trust and defraud you; and requesting money from you, asking first for small amounts that are paid back quickly to gain your trust, before claiming some emergency that requires a large amount of cash — funds you’ll likely never see again.
Officials advise: “If someone you haven’t met in person asks you for money, assume it is a scam.”
And, officials said, remember wire transfers, prepaid cards, gift cards and cryptocurrencies all are the equivalent of sending someone cash — funds you’ll likely never get back.
Never give out payment or banking information. Beware of online interactions that “quickly ask you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly” and be especially cautious of someone you meet online claiming to be an American abroad — or, a deployed soldier.
The Federal Trade Commission found that almost 70,000 Americans reported being victims of a romance scam in 2022, the last full year for which figures are available, with losses at what the FTC called “a staggering $1.3 billion” — or a median reported loss of $4,400 per victim.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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