Stay vigilant of romance fraud this Valentine's Day

3 minute read

On Valentine’s Day when some people receive cards, flowers, or chocolates, some are not so lucky and find themselves victims of romance scams.

With more people than ever are looking for love and companionship online, many of them are falling victim to these scams. Here are some of the red flags to watch out for, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.

What is an online romance scam?

Also referred to as an ‘online dating scam’, ‘internet dating scam’, or ‘romance fraud’, fraudsters will use a fake profile and image to forge a connection and romantic relationship with a potential victim.

Those victims are often, lonely, vulnerable, and looking for love or companionship. Scammers will often spend weeks or even months building up a relationship with their victim, gaining their trust and affection. Once they have gained that trust, they will start asking for money or personal information. All the while intending to cause some heartache along the way.

Red flags to look out for

There are several red flags to look out for when it comes to online romance scams. These include:

Asking for money: If someone you’ve met online asks you for money, that’s a big red flag. Never send money to someone you’ve never met in person.
Move you off the dating app or site quickly: Scammers will be keen to switch to text, social media or phone calls quickly. By moving the conversation away from the dating app or site, they can carry on with the scam without anything being easily reportable.
Avoiding video calls or in-person meetings: If someone you’ve met online avoids video calls or in-person meetings, that’s another red flag. Be cautious of anyone who refuses to meet in person.
Claiming to be in the military or working overseas: Scammers often claim to be in the military or working overseas. Be wary of anyone who claims to be in these professions.
Moving too quickly: If someone you’ve just met online declares their love for you quickly, that’s a red flag. Be cautious of anyone who moves too quickly in a relationship.

If you think you, or someone you care about, has been scammed, it’s important to act quickly.

Here are some steps you can take:

Stop all communication with the scammer: If you think you’ve been scammed, stop all communication with the scammer immediately.
Report the scam to the dating site or social media platform: Most dating sites and social media platforms have a way to report scams. Use this feature to report the scammer.
Report the scam to the police: If you’ve lost money to a scammer, report the scam to the police. They may be able to help you recover your money.
Talk to someone you trust: If you’ve been scammed, it’s important to talk to someone you trust. This could be a friend, family member, or a professional counsellor.

Protecting our customers

At Quilter, protecting our customers against any potential fraud is of the utmost importance to us. That’s why we have processes in place to investigate and provide educational support when we suspect a withdrawal request may be suspicious, especially when it involves a vulnerable customer. By being aware of the signs and risks of romance scams, those looking for love can enjoy online dating and socialising without falling prey to scammers.

If you are concerned that you or a loved one has been impacted by a romance scam, contact your bank and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Other information you may find useful:

Romance Scam | Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk) 

Romance fraud | Action Fraud 