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    Safety & Privacy
    Beginner
    2 min read 4 stepsApril 4, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Spot Online Romance Scams

    Romance scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion in 2023. Learn the warning signs before you get hurt.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Safety & Privacy
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    2 min read
    Steps
    4
    Topics covered
    romance
    scam
    dating
    safety
    beginner

    In this guide (4 steps):

    1. 1.How romance scams work
    2. 2.Warning signs
    3. 3.Protect yourself
    4. 4.If you think you are being scammed
    1

    How romance scams work

    ~20s
    A scammer creates a fake profile on a dating site, social media, or messaging app. They build a relationship over weeks or months, expressing strong feelings quickly. Eventually, they ask for money — usually for an emergency, travel to visit you, or a business opportunity. They always have a reason why they cannot meet in person or video call.
    2

    Warning signs

    ~18s
    Red flags: the relationship moves unusually fast (saying "I love you" within days or weeks), they can never video call (camera is always "broken"), their photos look like professional model shots, they claim to be a US military member stationed overseas, they ask for money via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, and their story has inconsistencies.
    3

    Protect yourself

    ~18s
    Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Do a reverse image search on their photos (go to images.google.com, click the camera icon, upload their photo) — if the same face appears under different names, it is a scam. Ask to video call early in the relationship. Trust your instincts if something feels off.
    4

    If you think you are being scammed

    ~27s
    Stop all contact right away. Do not send any more money. Report the profile to the dating site or social media platform. File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you sent money, contact your bank — some transfers can be reversed. Talk to someone you trust. There is no shame in being targeted by a professional scammer.

    Warning

    Romance scammers are professionals who manipulate emotions for a living. Being targeted does not mean you are foolish. It means someone deliberately exploited your kindness.

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    romance
    scam
    dating
    safety
    beginner

    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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