CARTERVILLE, Ill. (WSIL) — Valentine’s Day is just more than a week away and the FBI wants you to stay safe from scams.
The holiday provides a perfect time to scam those vulnerable, especially those looking for love. Millions of people search the internet to find love but Assistant Special Agent Karen Marinos with the Springfield Division of the FBI says, be sure to have your guard up.
“The biggest thing is, these scammers are looking to gain your trust right away,” said Marinos. “They will like everything you like, as a victim, they will send gifts, flowers and poetry. They will profess their love immediately and they are trying to do it in a quick fashion so they can get money from their victims.”
Marinos also says scammers may event try to meet you in person. If that happens be aware and bring someone with you.
Here are some tips from the FBI you need to be aware of…
- Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
- Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches to see if the image, name, or details have been used elsewhere.
- Go slowly and ask lots of questions.
- Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
- Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.
- 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.
- Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone.
For more information, you can find it here.
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