Are you putting your heart online or on the line this Valentine’s Day? With so many dating sites and apps available, finding the love of your life can be just a few clicks away, but if you’re not careful, you could be falling for a scam instead of falling in love. Before Cupid’s arrow has a chance to strike, learn the signs of Romance Scams and how to protect your heart with tips from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Most romance scams take place on dating apps, websites, and social media platforms. Criminals create fake profiles to connect with individuals, build a relationship, and then exploit that fabricated romance to manipulate victims into providing money or personal information.

Scammers look for specific qualities in their “perfect match.” People who are less private online, sharing information about hobbies, work, loved ones, and more, are more likely to be victims. Those who recently experienced a loss, such as death or a divorce, are also frequently targeted. Scammers gather all this personal information and use it to manufacture stories that tug on the heartstrings and establish a connection.

It’s important to remember that criminals who engage in romance scams are skilled manipulators. They can be very persuasive in their efforts to gain a person’s trust. Employing tactics such as isolation, love bombing, and even marriage proposals, they quickly create an emotional and codependent bond that they later exploit. The timeline for these relationships can vary; some scammers attempt to establish a connection with their victims rapidly, while others take a more gradual approach before seeking a financial payoff.

Nowadays, a relationship confined to direct messages and emails is not uncommon, and scammers are relying on this new digital age to keep it that way. In romance scams, the perpetrator will use believable excuses, such as military leave, working overseas, or international projects, to maintain a strictly online relationship instead of meeting in person. Even without face-to-face contact, these criminals can still create a close relationship. Once the bond is set, they will ask the victim for money to buy a ticket to visit or invent sudden emergencies and crises that require financial assistance.

Protect your heart and your finances by adopting the following safety habits. Be aware of your privacy and embrace the principle of “less is more” when sharing information online. To verify the identity of the person you are communicating with, conduct a reverse image search of their profile picture. If the image is linked to a different name or if you find inconsistent details, this may indicate a scam.

When interacting with someone new online, it’s important to ask plenty of questions and take things slowly. There’s no need to feel pressured to share your personal phone number right away. Communicating on dating sites is safer because many platforms have systems in place to identify scammers. If your new partner brings up an investment opportunity or asks for money, proceed with caution. Avoid sending money to anyone you’ve only communicated with through phone or online, especially if they request that you use a money transfer app, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.

Valentine’s Day brings out the romantic in many people, but not everyone has the best of intentions this time of year. Protect your heart and valuables by remaining alert for these signs of a Romance Scam.