Insights & Stories

No Broken Hearts Here: Be Wary of Romance Scams!

Reading time: 3 minutes

February 14th, 2023

The internet has a way of bringing people together—it’s a great way to find people with similar interests, talk about things that you care about, and even find love. In fact, according to eHarmony, one in five committed relationships began online—and according to Statista, by the end of 2023 there will be approximately 441 million users of online dating providers worldwide.

However, while these services can bring people together, online dating can come with a catch: not everyone is looking for their soulmate.

As online dating becomes the norm, another trend is happening: the increase in romance scams. Romance scams are a type of fraud where a scammer takes advantage of someone under the guise of starting a relationship. The scammer will create false identities and stories to gain the interest and trust of victims, often with the goal of receiving money or other assets. These scams take place online, often starting via dating apps or social media platforms, and target individuals who are looking for love—because this is a life stage when you are typically more open to meeting new people.

Learn more about these scams, ways to identify them, and how to stay safe in the infographic below.

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