Valentine’s Day is a day for couples to celebrate their love for one another, but the Iowa Insurance Division also warns it is an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of people via online dating apps. Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen says, “Romance scams are one of the most common scams we see in our office. Protect yourself by paying attention to the warning signs, and if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.” Romance scams occur when somebody feigns romantic interest in a person to gain their trust, and eventually, take their money. With the rise of digital ecosystems, such as dating apps or even online gaming, it has become easier for these scams to succeed. One of the key warning signs of a scammer is if they refuse to meet in person. Frequently, they claim to live or work overseas and usually ask for money to arrange a visit or for help with a medical emergency. These scammers will nearly always request money via wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other difficult-to-track methods and are a sure sign of a scam. For more tips and resources about common scams in Iowa, visit www.iowafraudfighters.gov.
