AG Nessel: Protect Your Heart, Your Identity, and Your Wallet from Scammers

(Michigan Attorney General, Feb. 13, 2023)

Michigan – This Valentine’s Day, AG Nessel wants to remind you to be cautious with what you share online. Never send money or sensitive data to someone you have not met in person. Protect your heart, your personal identity, and your wallet from scammers.

Online romance scams take advantage of people looking for romantic partners on dating sites, apps, or social media. Scammers rush to say I love you. They normally can’t meet in person. They may say they are in the military. Or they may say they are working abroad.

Use these tips to avoid romance scams:

• Use reverse image search websites like TinEye or Google Images to see if their image shows up somewhere else.
• Never agree to open a bank account, or re-ship goods they send to you.
• Don’t send money, prepaid gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you met online.
• Stay on the dating app only for communicating.
• Avoid giving out your personal phone number or email address.
• If someone new on your social media rushes a friendship or romance, slow down and talk to someone you trust before responding.

Learn more about romance scams and how to avoid financial heartache.