With advancements in technology and online banking, all kinds of scams have become much more prevalent, from people needing Revolut scam refunds through to crypto scams and everything in between. Another one that has grown in popularity unfortunately are romance scams. We’re here to look at the common signs of romance scams through social media and dating apps, as well as what you can do if you think you’re a victim.
Signs Of A Romance Scam
Not Wanting To Meet In Person
Firstly, one of the most common signs of a romance scam is if someone doesn’t want to meet in person, can’t meet in person and also finds excuses not to have video calls or phone calls. Someone scamming you won’t want to meet you in person and get caught out, but they usually won’t outright say they don’t want to meet you, but will have excuses. They may claim that they work in the military or on an oil rig, or live quite far away. They may also say that their signal is bad or they don’t have good internet access. If any of these things happen, it’s a big red flag.
Any Mentions Of Money
Another common sign of a romance scam is if there is any mention of money or financial situations. There is no reason that someone you have never met in person, no matter how much they have professed their love, should be asking you for money. Usually the requests will be emotionally loaded, for example they really want to come see you but can’t afford the plane or train ticket, or perhaps they say one of their family members is ill in hospital and needs quick help. If anyone starts talking about money before you’ve met in person, then you should definitely be very cautious and stop contact with them.
Fast Moving Relationship
Something else to be cautious of is fast moving relationships. If someone seems to be professing their love or falling for you really quickly, especially if you’ve never met them in person, you need to be careful. This is another form of emotional manipulation where they will trick you into falling for them, feeling vulnerable and then sending them money.
What To Do If You Think You’re A Victim Of A Romance Scam
Now you know what a romance scam looks like, it’s time to look at what to do if you think you’ve been a victim of one. The first thing you should do is make sure you contact your bank as soon as possible. They may be able to prevent the payment from going through if you’re quick enough. You should also freeze your card through your online banking as quickly as possible. After you’ve spoken to the bank, report the fraud to Action Fraud. From here, get in touch with solicitors like WRS who may be able to help you recover the lost funds.