Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued her consumer alert to help protect residents from falling victim to online romance scams this Valentine’s Day.
This type of scam takes advantage of people looking for partners on dating apps and social media.
The scammers typically profess their love for the victims quickly and often tell them that they are working abroad or in the military, to justify why they cannot meet them in person, according to Nessel.
“Romance scams can be emotionally and financially devastating,” Nessel said. “It’s crucial to protect yourself so searching for love isn’t exploited by bad actors. Be safe this Valentine’s Day and be wary of anyone who avoids meeting in person, asks for money due to an emergency or pressures you to pay using gift cards.”
Here’s a list of tips from Nessel’s office to avoid romance scams:
- Use reverse image search websites such as Google Images to see if their image shows up somewhere else.
- Never agree to open a bank account or re-ship goods sent to you.
- Do not send money, prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to someone you met online.
- Communicate only through the specific app and avoid giving out personal phone numbers or email addresses.
- If someone appears on your social media and rushes you to start a friendship or romance, slow down and talk to someone you trust before responding.
If you believe you are a victim of a romance scam, contact the Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 or file a complaint online.
