There are lots of shows on television that document internet scams. It is easy to get fooled.
David McClellan, President and Author of SocialCatfish.com visits with Tanya from 1063RL discuss romance Scams and advice.
SocialCatfish.com has tips to follow so you can avoid getting duped. According to SocialCatfish.com, Romance related scams have tricked Americans into losing $304 million in 2020. It is happening at a record levels and the victims of are getting younger and younger. Children and teens need to be aware of the dangers of talking to strangers online. They prey on anyone.
Here are a few signs from SocialCatfish.com that your online romance could be a fake:
- Scammers make excuses on why they cannot meet in real life. A common excuse is they cannot meet up because of COVID.
- Unwilling to video chat. Most people have access to WI-FI and are able to video chat. Big red flag.
- They ask for money.
- The grammar used in chats is poor. This is a good indication of a scammer.
- They confess their love early in the relationship.
Protect yourself! SocialCatfish.com offers these tips to protect yourself:
- Never ever give money to someone you meet online no matter what.
- Do not form a relationship with someone unless you video chat and meet in person.
- Never give any personal information. Scammers use basic information to hack into your accounts.
- Do a background check.
- If you have feelings for someone online, take things slow. Scammers tend to be pushy.
Source: SocialCatfish.com