FRESNO, California – Cody Sarhan, Communications Specialist
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and more than love could be in the air. What if your perfect match turned out to be a perfect scam? It’s a question more people should be asking as romance scams surge, with losses skyrocketing and tactics growing more sophisticated.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2023, more than $635 million was lost in these scams. These scams can have a devastating impact on victims, both financially and emotionally.
Learn More: How Xobee can help you stay protected
How the Scam Works
Romance scammers are experts at manipulation. They create fake profiles on dating sites and social media, often using stolen photos and fabricated life stories. They target vulnerable individuals, showering them with attention and affection. Once they’ve gained their victim’s trust, they start asking for money, often for emergencies, travel expenses, or investments.
They work fast, adapt to the situation, and they have done their research on you.
🎥 Video Curiosity of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Protecting Yourself
So, how can you protect yourself from falling victim to a romance scam? Here are a few tips:
- Be wary of anyone who asks for money online, especially if you haven’t met them in person.
- Do your research. Reverse image search their profile photos to see if they’re used elsewhere.
- Talk to a friend or family member about your online relationship. They may be able to see red flags that you’re missing.
- Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information..
- Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but then always comes up with an excuse why he or she can’t. If you haven’t met the person after a few months, for whatever reason, you have good reason to be suspicious.
- If you suspect you’re being scammed, report it to the dating site or social media platform and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Valentine’s Day should be a time for love and happiness, not heartbreak and financial ruin. By being aware of the signs of a romance scam, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
Love, Actually… Costs You: How Romance Scams Impact Businesses
Don’t think your business is immune to the sting of romance scams. These scams can infiltrate your company — not just individuals. Imagine an employee, head over heels for a charming online “sweetheart,” and doesn’t realize they are being socially engineered. Before long the scammer has gained access to their accounts, emails, and person information. It might sound far-fetched but fraud and even intellectual property theft can be the fallout of an employee caught in a romance scam’s web.
The scammer wants to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money. — The FBI
Beyond the direct financial impact, your company’s reputation can take a hit. Customers and partners might question your security and trustworthiness if a scam involves your company’s name or resources. This can lead to lost business and a damaged brand image. And let’s not forget the productivity drain. An employee grappling with the emotional and financial fallout of a scam is unlikely to be focused on work. Decreased productivity, absenteeism, and even legal battles can disrupt your operations and drain valuable resources.
Xobee Networks: Your Partner in Cybersecurity
At Xobee Networks, we understand the importance of cybersecurity. That’s why we offer a comprehensive suite of services to protect your business from online threats, including romance scams. Our IT consulting experts can help you develop a cybersecurity strategy that’s right for your business. We also offer cloud hosting solutions, backup redundancies, and data restoration services to ensure your data is always safe. And our cybersecurity services, like virus protection and spam filtering, can help prevent scammers from reaching your employees.
Xobee Networks now has engineers servicing clients within Fresno, Clovis, Madera, San Jose, Sacramento, San Francisco & the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Las Vegas, Bakersfield, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Anaheim, Palm Springs, and more.
