Woodkirk Stone
If you’re looking for that special someone online, you’re not alone. More than half of singles have used an online dating site or app to find a romantic relationship. Not everyone on these platforms is there for the right reasons. According to a new Wells Fargo survey, nearly two-thirds, or 63%, of people online have been contacted by a scammer.
Here’s how you can avoid a romance scam:
Do not respond to requests for financial assistance: The most common schemes involve being asked to send money or gift cards to help with a sudden personal crisis.
Wait before sharing personal information: Never give someone you haven’t met information such as your address or date of birth. And if they ask for a social security number or credit card information, that’s a huge red flag.
Do some research: Check if you know their full name on other social media platforms or do a reverse image search on their profile picture to determine if they are real and not a “catfish”. To verify, Facetime or video chat within the first week of meeting.
If you think a profile is suspicious, trust your instincts. Block and report the user.
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