There are many online romance scammers that aim to victimize those who are online looking for that someone special. However, even with the threats online, the Internet still offers a great place to meet a partner.
Following the tips below can help decrease your chances of falling victim to an online romance scam.
Pay attention to the details
When you're getting to know someone online, you want to pay attention to the things they say. Look for inconsistencies that can indicate they may be making up stories and not being truthful with you. If you catch someone being dishonest with one thing, then it can mean they are being dishonest about everything and trying to run a scam on you.
Don't talk to too many people at once
Another thing you should do is limit the number of people you talk to at one time. This way, you will be able to pay attention to all the little things someone says that could give you a red flag, warning you that there could be something off with them.
Don't be afraid to ghost someone
While it may not be a nice thing to ghost someone you are in an actual relationship with, there are times when it may be best to ghost someone you've just met online. If you aren't feeling right about someone, then it can be best for you to just stop communicating with them. If you keep communicating with them even after worrying they may be a scammer, then they can use anything else you tell them to end up doing you wrong in some way.
Talk to them on video chat
It's important for you to make sure someone is really who they are claiming to be by talking to them on video chat. Scammers can be very creative when it comes to coming up with excuses for why they can't talk to you on video. However, if someone is really interested in you, and they're being truthful, then they will find a way to video chat with you.
Don't give out your personal information
You don't want to give out too many of your personal details to someone until you have met them in person. This includes things like your place of employment, your home address, the names of all your immediate family members, and more.
Don't send money
You never want to send someone money who you don't know in real life. If someone is asking you for money, then there is a good chance they are a scammer. They may ask for small amounts at first to test the water. The fact they are only asking for small amounts may help convince you they are real. However, over time, the amounts will become larger and by that time, you may have been scammed out of a good amount when you add it all together.