Valentine’s Day is this Friday and Durham police has issued a reminder to the public about Internet safety when it comes to online dating.
Although there are many legitimate dating websites in Canada, there are also many dating and romance scammers that will try and trick you into handing over your money, said a police advisory.
It provided some precautions residents can take
What to look for in a Dating or Romance Scam:
Some websites are set up so you have to pay for each email or message you send and receive. The scammer will hook you in by sending vague messages filled with talk of romance and love. They will try and appeal to your romantic and compassionate side to lower your defenses, telling you anything to keep you writing back.
On a legitimate dating site you may still be approached by a scammer. They might tell you they have a sick family member or need your assistance and then ask you to send them some money to help their situation. Some will even arrange to meet you in the hopes of getting money and presents, and then quickly disappear.
How you can protect yourself or a loved one:
- Be suspicious when someone you haven’t met in person professes their love to you. Ask yourself, would someone I’ve never met really declare their love after only a few emails?
- Be wary when someone you meet on social media wants to quickly move to a private mode of communication
- If trying to set up an in-person meeting, be suspicious if they always have an excuse to not meet
- If you do actually set up a meeting, tell family and friends when and where you’re going and meet in a local, public place
- Do not share personal or financial information with anyone you’ve only just met online or in person
- Never send intimate photos or video of yourself. The scammer may try to use these to blackmail you into sending money
- Be cautious when conversing with an individual that claims to live close to you, but is working overseas
- Never, under any circumstances, send money for any reason. The scammer will make it seem like an emergency, they may even express distress or anger to make you feel guilty but DO NOT send money
- Should you be asked to accept money or goods for you to then transfer/send elsewhere, do not accept to do so. This is usually a form of money laundering, which is a criminal offence
How you can respond:
- If you did send money or share financial information, report it to the financial institution used: your bank, Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.
- Gather all information pertaining to the situation, including the scammer’s profile name, how you made contact, social media screenshots, emails, etc. and contact DRPS if within Durham Region, otherwise contact your local police service
- Notify the dating website or social media site where you met the scammer. Scammers usually have more than one account. Be proactive and tell family, friends, coworkers and neighbours about your experience to warn them about romance scams
DRPS strongly encourages the public to be cautious of dating sites and to never give out your personal banking information over the internet and to never send money to people you don’t know.
For more information on Internet safety and common scams visit our Public Safety section on www.drps.ca.