💘 Stay Safe This Valentine’s Day: Watch Out for Online Romance Scams 💘
With love in the air, scammers are working overtime to take advantage of people looking for romance online. Here are some tips to protect yourself from catfishing and online dating scams:
🔍 Use Google Lens – If someone’s profile picture looks too good to be true, it might be! Use Google Lens to do a reverse image search and check if their photos appear elsewhere on the internet.
🚩 Spot the Red Flags – Be wary of someone who:
❌ Avoids video calls or meeting in person.
❌ Professes love too quickly.
❌ Has inconsistent details in their stories.
❌ Asks for money or gift cards.
🔐 Protect Your Personal Info – Never share sensitive details like your address, banking info, or workplace with someone you just met online.
🕵️♂️ Verify Their Identity – If something feels off, do a little research. Check their social media presence and look for inconsistencies.
💸 Never Send Money – Scammers often claim to be in an emergency to tug at your heartstrings. No matter how convincing they sound, don’t send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
❤️ Trust Your Gut – If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t ignore red flags just because you want to believe in love.
Stay safe and enjoy this Valentine’s Day responsibly! 💕
