In advance of Valentine’s Day, “bad actors” out there

The Columbia office of the FBI is warning the public about bad actors using romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day.  This kind of scam occurs when criminals deceive their victims into believing they are engaging in a trusting relationship.  They use that information to persuade victims to send money, provide personal and financial information, or purchase items for them.  One of the ways to protect yourself is to contact your financial institution if you discover fraudulent or suspicious transactions.