Singles aren’t the only people using online dating sites to get something they want.

Scammers also use these sites to prey on unsuspecting singles looking for love. It’s hard to believe anyone could be so cruel as to take advantage of someone looking for companionship. But, it’s true. If you’ve ever posted your profile on a dating site or are thinking about it, you need to read this article and … you need to trust it.

Some consumers use online dating sites and end up “happily ever after”. Unfortunately, not all relationships end well. Scammers create fictitious profiles on various dating sites. These scammers will target various age groups. They’ve been known to target someone who openly admits they’ve never been able to make a relationship work. Why? Because they believe this target is desperate and will be more apt to do unreasonable things to make the relationship work.

A scammer might target their victim for months before asking them to send money or for assistance. Some scammers have kept up online relationships for over a year before ever asking the target for money. Regardless, that’s the end goal. Money.

How does this work? At some point, the scammer claims to have fallen into some sort of dire circumstance. Maybe it’s a terrible auto accident, an arrest, lost wallet while traveling/working overseas or maybe one of their relative’s needs a surgery and no one can afford it. The scammer tells the target about the unfortunate situation and shares the frustration/disappointment over this hardship. They may not ask for money during the first discussion. But, eventually, they ask or they bait the target into offering help. The target sends money via wire, gift cards, money transfer apps and then the scammer calls with more disappointing news and another request for money. The target sends more money via one of the previously mentioned paths. Before long, the target is sending money on a regular basis. The two never meet face to face and when the target runs out of money, the scammer runs out on the relationship.

Another twist might be … the scammer has a business and needs someone to process their client payments. The scammer may ask the target to accept wires or automatic deposits and then wire those funds back to the scammer or even someone else. They bait the target, telling the target how much they trust them and appreciate their help. Once the target stops complying with requests, the scammer stops communication.

How can you recognize an Online Dating Scammer …?
*If the person pressures you to leave the dating site and communicate using only personal means (such as personal email, instant messenger, google hangouts or text messages).
*Makes arrangements to meet you but doesn’t follow through due to some sort of dire circumstances.
*Asks for money.
*Asks you to accept a wire or automatic deposit into your banking account (the wire or automatic deposit ends up being stolen from another target).
*Asks you to divulge online banking log in credentials, account numbers and personal identifiers.
*Asks you to wire money they have deposited to your account.

 

Contact us immediately at (800) 762-3136 or visit your local Beacon Credit Union branch location if you suspect you have fallen victim to a social engineering attack and have disclosed information concerning your Beacon Credit Union accounts. https://www.beaconcu.org/security/#suspicious-activity