Romance scams — a warning from the FBI

Someone whose heart is taken with another wants a fair chance at winning him or her over.  About the last thing that the one in love wants is to be the victim of a cheater.  The Columbia FBI office warns that, ahead of Valentine’s Day, there’s potential for romantic scams.  It’s likely scammers will try to exploit individuals online who look for a companion.  Common romance red flags:  The scammer makes promises to meet in person but gives excuses as to why they can’t; the scammer will ask for money once they gain your trust; the scammer will request money through methods that make it hard to be traced and hard to get back.  How to protect yourself:  Be careful what you post and make public online; if you suspect a scam, stop communicating with that person immediately; take things slow and ask lots of questions; never send money to someone you have only communicated with online or by phone.  If you suspect you are involved in a romance scam or you have fallen victim, report the incident to the FBI’s IC3 by visiting www.ic3.gov.