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Is my online sweetheart a romance scammer?
Last updated · Written by Daniel Morton, Scam, Fraud & Prevention Consultant, Winston-Salem, NC
Short answer: Be very careful if someone you've never met in person asks for money, gift cards, or crypto. Never send money to someone you haven't met in person; that advice from the FTC and AARP applies to older adults in Winston-Salem, the Triad and everywhere.
How it works
Someone you meet online or on social media builds a close relationship over weeks or months, then needs money for an emergency, a trip, or an "investment."
Red flags
- Always has a reason they can't meet or video chat
- Says they're overseas, in the military, or on an oil rig
- Asks for money, gift cards, or crypto
What to do
- Never send money to someone you haven't met in person.
- Talk it over with someone you trust.
- Stop sending money, even if they say it's the last time.
If you already responded
There's no shame in it; scammers are professionals. Stop sending money, call your bank or card company using the number on your card, and report the profile on the site or app where you met. Then report it to the FTC and the FBI at ic3.gov.
Who to call in North Carolina
- NC Department of Justice consumer hotline: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226), or file a consumer complaint
- Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
- AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (free for anyone, member or not): 877-908-3360
Common questions
- What are signs of a romance scam?
- The person always has a reason they can't meet or video chat, says they're overseas, in the military, or on an oil rig, and asks for money, gift cards, or crypto.
- Should I send money to someone I met online?
- Never send money to someone you haven't met in person. Talk it over with someone you trust.
- Where do I report a romance scam?
- Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at ic3.gov, and report the profile on the site or app where you met.
Sources
Take your time, and talk it over with someone you trust. There's no shame in being targeted, and reporting helps your neighbors too. This page summarizes the official warnings and news reports linked above. It's general information, not legal or financial advice.
Want an extra layer of protection? Start with the free steps above. If you'd also like to compare paid tools like identity monitoring, call blockers or medical alert devices, see our plain-language protection guide.
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