This Valentine’s Day and beyond, millions of Americans are meeting

others on matchmaking websites, dating apps and social media. But not all those

new connections are meant to be, as 37 percent of Washington residents polled

in a new AARP survey (aarp.org/onlineromancescams)

reported that they, a family member or a friend have encountered attempted

financial scams while seeking friendship or a love interest online. 

To help empower people to take steps to protect themselves and

their family members, the AARP Fraud Watch Network has launched an educational

campaign to raise awareness about online-based relationship fraud schemes.

The idea of going online to broaden one’s social networks continues

to gain in popularity. More than half (56 percent) of Washington adults

have used the internet to find new friends, dates and/or romantic partners,

according to the AARP survey.  

But scammers also use the dating sites, apps and social

media. 

The AARP survey found that 18 percent of state residents have

either been victimized by an online relationship scam or know someone who

was. 

A significant number of victims (64 percent) reported

suffering a negative effect on their physical and/or emotional health.

“Many of us, along with our family members, have successfully made

new friends or even established deeper relationships online,” said AARP State

Director Doug Shadel in a news release. “But as with every other aspect of life

these days, you must be aware that the criminal element lurks there also. Our

message is: protect your heart – and your

money.”

The AARP educational campaign includes advertising, webinars,

podcasts, videos and tip sheets, all available at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork. Each

of the campaign’s content elements urge consumers to recognize the warning

signs that their online suitor could be a fraudster:

• They profess love too quickly.
• The person immediately wants to leave the dating website and

  communicate with you through email or instant messaging.

• Your new romantic interest sends you a picture that looks

  more like a model from a fashion magazine than an ordinary snapshot.

• He or she repeatedly promises to meet you in person but

  always seems to come up with an excuse to cancel.

• They make a request for money for any of a variety of

  reasons: travel, medical emergencies, visas or other official documents, or losses

  from a financial setback. Nineteen percent of respondents in AARP Washington’s

  survey said a friend or romantic partner whom they have only met online has

  asked them to help them financially in some way.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reports there were

15,000 victims of confidence fraud/romance fraud in 2017, with more than half

over age 50. Financial losses in these scams totaled $220 million in 2016,

according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network was launched in 2013 as a free

resource for people of all ages. Consumers may sign up for “Watchdog Alert”

emails that deliver information about scams, or call a free helpline at

877-908-3360 to speak with staff and volunteers trained in fraud counseling.