FBI: Keep more from being stolen than your heart this Valentine's Day

Romance scams occur when someone who believes they are in relationship is tricked into sending money, personal and financial information or valuables to the fraudster.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reports 680 people in Arizona reported losses of more than $25.4 million in connection with confidence fraud/romance scams in 2022, the most recent available statistics. Of that number, 379 were senior citizens, accounting for $17.7 million in losses.

Everyone who may be romantically involved with a person online should proceed carefully and stay alert to warning signs, the FBI says.

The FBI suggests these tips if someone develops an online relationship with another person:

• Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches to see if the material has been used elsewhere.

• Never provide your financial information or loan money to someone online. Never send money to anyone you don’t personally know.

• Beware if the suitor seems too perfect or quickly asks you to leave a dating service or social media site to go “offline.”

• Beware if the person attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.

• Beware of promises to meet in person but that promise is always broken for one reason or another. If no face-to-face meeting has occurred after a few months, there is good reason for suspicion.

• If a meeting is arranged, meet in a public place, and let others know of the plans.

If anyone suspects an online relationship is a scam, all contact should be stopped immediately and local law enforcement should be contacted. Victims are also encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI at ic3.gov.

Visit https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/romance-scams for more information on romance scams.