SAN ANTONIO – Love may be blind, but cybercriminals will tell you anything just to spoil your Valentine’s Day.
According to Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, cybercriminals will play with your emotions using a pageantry of attention and affection to woo their victims to give away their financial information.
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The Federal Trade Commission says romance scammers will tailor their lies pressuring you to act immediately. Here are a few examples:
- “I (or someone close to me) is sick, hurt or in jail.”
- “I can teach you how to invest.”
- “I’m in the military far away.’
- “I need help with an important delivery.”
To avoid becoming a victim of a romance scam and lose money, here’s what you should know:
- You should never be pressured or harassed into sending cryptocurrency, giving the numbers of a gift card or wiring money.
- If someone tells you to send money to receive a package, it’s likely a scam.
- Talk to your friends and family about your new love interest or any “financial opportunities” they’re offering, to see if there is any reason to be concerned.
- Try a reverse image of profile pictures. If the details don’t match up, it could be a scam.
You should report all romance scams to local law enforcement, Adult Protective Services, The Texas Attorney General’s Office and The Federal Trade Commission, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
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