Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful day to show people how much you care for them and everyone wants to be loved. Scammers know this and are more than willing to pretend to be your sweetheart to steal your hard-earned money. Better Business Bureau Regional Director Stephanie Garland gives you a few tips this holiday to keep your heart and wallet safe:
The Better Business Bureau wants you to be careful of those that say things that are too good to be true. While many people in the West Plains area have been targeted by romance scammers, recently, a Sarcoxie woman was targeted by a scammer who pretended to be celebrity chef Gordan Ramsay. The REAL Ramsay has been happily married to his spouse, Tana, since 1996.
Beware of strangers spouting poetry and attempting to woo you online. This woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars as the fake Ramsay said he needed the money to purchase a house for them to live in together.
Meeting in safe places in person can be a good way to tell you are not dealing with a scammer but make sure you meet in a public space, such as your local police station. Online, video chatting with programs such as Skype or Zoom allows you to verify that the person you are speaking with matches their profile picture. When sharing information about yourself with someone, make sure NOT to reveal any information that could answer security questions such as maiden names, the name of your first pet, or grandparents’ names.
Romance can be a strain on a persons’ heart, don’t let it be a strain on your finances as well this Valentine’s Day.
