Valentine’s Day Brings Love — and an Urgent Reminder to Watch for Romance Scams

Valentine’s Day Brings Love — and an Urgent Reminder to Watch for Romance Scams

As people prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day, NorthCountry is urging the community to stay vigilant against a rising wave of romance scams that target individuals seeking connection online. These scams have become increasingly sophisticated, often beginning on social media and dating platforms where scammers build trust over months — or even years — before exploiting victims emotionally and financially.
 

How Romance Scams Work

Romance scammers often present themselves as caring, attentive partners, frequently claiming to live far away or be stationed overseas, including pretending to serve in the military. They use fake profiles and photos and invest significant time into building a false relationship.
 
Once trust is established, the requests for money begin — starting small and escalating into larger financial demands. Common excuses include emergency medical needs, travel costs, crisis situations, or urgent investment opportunities. Victims may even be led to believe their online partner is coming to visit, only to be left waiting at the airport for someone who never arrives.
 
Tragically, once funds leave the victim’s account, they are often impossible to recover.
 

Red Flags to Watch For

 
•    Refusal to Meet in Person or Video Chat: Scammers frequently avoid face to face interaction by citing travel, military service, or complicated personal circumstances.
•    Requests for Money: They may ask for help with emergencies, travel, investments, or other fabricated scenarios.
•    High Pressure or Urgent Requests: Scammers create emotional urgency to push victims into acting quickly without reflection.
•    Unusual Payment Methods: Requests for difficult-to-trace payment methods are common, such as wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or peer to peer apps.
 

The Growing Impact

Romance scams affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Thousands of individuals each year report deep financial and emotional losses after being manipulated by fraudsters who hide behind fabricated identities.
 
In some cases, scammers shift victims toward fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, moving conversations to encrypted platforms to avoid detection. Losses can reach tens of thousands—or even millions—of dollars.
 

What To Do if You Suspect a Romance Scam

 
•    Stop communicating immediately.
•    Talk to someone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or your financial institution. Victims are often embarrassed, but speaking up is critical.
•    Contact your financial institution. They can help you determine whether a relationship is legitimate or fraudulent.
•    Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and notify the platform where the interaction occurred.
•    Act quickly if you’ve sent money. In some cases, recovery may still be possible.
 

A Message This Valentine’s Day

Finding love online can be exciting and filled with hope, but it’s essential to stay grounded and cautious. Scammers are patient and calculated, using emotional connection as a tool for exploitation.
 
This Valentine’s Day, NorthCountry encourages everyone to share helpful information, stay alert, and protect themselves and their loved ones. Real love never demands secrecy, urgency, or money.