In 2017, the UK paid out PS41.5 million in romance fraud. That’s more than double the amount lost in 2016, and the average loss per victim was more than PS7,850. Action Fraud, which tracks online fraud across the UK, has a number of tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of this crime. Here are five of the most important ones. – Do not pay any money to anyone who asks you to transfer money. This is an obvious scam, but it can be avoided by following a few simple precautionary measures.
– Be cautious of online dating scammers. If you suspect you’re being scammed, contact your bank and Action Fraud. If you’ve already met the person you’re thinking about dating, check their social media accounts and contact the police. If they’re hiding information about their identity, they may be a scammer. If they refuse to meet you face to face, be suspicious and don’t give out personal details.
– Be wary of shady people who offer you romantic love. If you suspect that you’ve been cheated on, contact your bank and Action Fraud. If you’ve already fallen victim to romance scams, check your bank statements for any irregularities. In some cases, the fraudster may be trying to con you by tricking you into sending money to them. However, this won’t work if the money you sent to them is already stolen.