Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the Florida Attorney General’s Office is advising residents to remain vigilant against romance scams. With 37% of U.S. adults reportedly using online dating platforms, scammers are exploiting these services by creating fake profiles to deceive users into sending money. In 2023 alone, Floridians lost over $63 million due to such scams.
Acting Attorney General John Guard highlighted the emotional manipulation involved in these scams: “Romance scams exploit the emotions of people seeking meaningful relationships, tricking victims into sending money to bad actors. As we approach Valentine’s Day, I encourage everyone to be aware of the warning signs of romance scams and know how to avoid falling victim.”
Scammers often use fabricated stories about financial difficulties as a means to solicit funds or personal information from their targets. The Florida Attorney General’s Office has outlined several red flags for users on dating sites:
– Rapid declarations of love or devotion
– Requests for money through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
– Refusal to meet in person or via video call
– Inconsistent information provided by a match
To protect oneself from these schemes, the office recommends:
– Ensuring online profiles are verified with photos and detailed information
– Asking specific questions and noting any suspicious answers
– Meeting potential partners only in public settings
– Being wary of individuals claiming business travel overseas who avoid direct contact
– Never sending money to strangers
For further guidance on avoiding romance scams, Floridians can access resources like “Scams at a Glance: Swindling Sweethearts” available through the Attorney General’s website. Reports of suspected romance scams can be made by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.
Floridians have access to this resource in both English and Spanish for broader accessibility.
