As Valentine's Day nears, Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday is cautioning residents to be vigilant against online romance scams. These scams, also known as "catfishing," are becoming more prevalent in Pennsylvania and nationwide, especially during this time when individuals may seek companionship.
"Be aware of scammers who use the holiday to target single people in chat rooms and other online platforms," stated Attorney General Sunday. He added, "Online scammers and other bad actors know no bounds when it comes to bilking Pennsylvanians out of their hard-earned money. This conduct sounds callous and cold, but it happens, so be alert."
Scammers often gather information from a person's social media profiles to learn personal details before making contact. This information aids them in building trust with the target, eventually convincing them to send money or share personal or financial details.
Attorney General Sunday and the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection have shared tips for those considering online relationships. They advise caution if certain red flags appear.
Consumers suspecting they have fallen victim to such scams can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection through their website, by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling 1-800-441-2555. Additionally, victims can report these incidents to the online dating platform used or notify authorities like the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.