Tips to avoid losing money in a romance scam!

By BanescoUSA
Published on June 29, 2021

Fraud Prevention

They say love hurts. With romance scams that’s doubly true – hearts are broken, and wallets are emptied. Millions of people turn to online dating apps or social networking sites to meet someone. But instead of finding romance, many find a scammer trying to trick them into sending money.

Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact their targets through popular social media sites like Instagram or Facebook. The scammers strike up a relationship with their targets to build their trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. Then, they make up a story and ask for money.

Tips for avoiding Romance Scams:

• 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 about romance scams, please CLICK HERE. Report possible romance scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Notify the website or app where you met the scammer, too.

Remember to always contact Banesco USA to report any suspicious account activity
or information security-related events.

To contact a Banesco USA Client Care Specialist, call toll-free from:

USA: 1-888-228-1597
Venezuela: 0-800-122-8226
Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM