How to Spot Romance Scams Before They Cost You

When you step into the world of online dating or social media, it’s important to know how to spot romance scams.

Here’s how you can recognize a romance scam:

• They push to move the conversation off the app right away
• They message constantly and rush emotional connection
• They always have an excuse for not meeting in person (living far away, traveling, or military duty)
• Eventually, they ask for money—for travel, emergencies, or “guaranteed” investments like cryptocurrency

Use your scam‑spotting powers to stay safe:

• Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you haven’t met face‑to‑face
• Run the situation past a trusted friend or family member
• Search their job or story online with the word “scammer”
• Use reverse image search to see if their photos appear elsewhere

If your instincts start tingling, trust them. Report suspected scams to reportfraud.ftc.gov and notify the app or site where you connected.

Thank you to the FTC for their information on this valuable topic.