How to avoid Valentine's Day scams with advice from the Better Business Bureau
This Valentine’s Day is shaping up to be big, according to projections by the National Retail Federation, which suggests that consumer spending will reach nearly $26 billion.
As you prepare to celebrate, there are a few common scams that you need to be aware of. Whether hoping to spark a new relationship or buying gifts for loved ones, beware of these three scams regularly reported to BBB.
Impostor websites
Consumers should always be alert for impostor websites, from fake jewelry sellers to online dating sites. Scammers can easily lift official photos, sale promotions, and logos directly from the website of a popular jewelry brand. With professional graphics and unbeatable prices, scammers build an attractive website that looks eerily similar to the real thing.
Red flags:
• Products are available at extreme discounts.
• The seller requests customers pay withcash transfer apps or cryptocurrency.
• Customer service is unreachable.
Romance scams
Similar methods may be used to build fake online dating platforms, often used to steal personal data and credit card information. Romance scammers often target vulnerable people who have experienced a recent breakup or other hardship. They take advantage of that heartbreak to establish a connection and gain sympathy. Once they’ve gotten their victim on the hook with a sad story, they begin pursuing their true goal – money.
Experiencing a romance scam can be particularly devastating. Victims can lose thousands of dollars, and they’re often left feeling heartbroken and betrayed because they believed they’d found a good partner. Read more about romance scams for safe online dating advice.
Red flags:
• The relationship moves very fast.
• You never meet in person.
• They ask for money.
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Wrong number scam
Responding to a text message from someone who messaged the wrong number might seem harmless. It might even seem like the polite thing to do if they say they’re looking to reconnect with a potential match.
The text message, however, is bait to lure you into a conversation. If you keep chatting, they eventually try to get your personal information by directing you to sign up for an adult site.
Red flags:
• The messages don’t stop.
• The sender directs you to sign up for a website.
• They try to get your personal information.
Fake florist scam
Ordering flowers for Valentine’s Day? Don’t procrastinate or you may end up falling for a scam. BBB has received many reports of shoppers who thought they were ordering flowers from an online florist ... but either got nothing at all, or a disappointing arrangement. Don't let phony florists ruin Valentine's Day.
Red flags:
• The business has no reviews or bad reviews (always check BBB.org!)
• You can't find a return policy or satisfaction guarantee.
• The deal is "too good to be true."
What to do if you encounter a scam
If you encounter a suspected romance scam, cut off all contact with the perpetrator by blocking their accounts and phone number. Then, report your experience to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Dating site users should also report suspicious activity to the platform so they can take action against the scammer's account.
Jan Diaz is the President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana, which serves 23 counties. Contact the BBB at 800-552-4631 or visit www.bbb.org.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: BBB offers advice to spot scams this Valentine's Day
