Romance scams

Romance scams are one of the most common types of fraud and work by playing on your emotions. First, scammers contact you using a fake profile on a dating website, app, or social media. Then, after building up a relationship, they ask you for money for reasons including:

• they want to come to the UK (sometimes with the promise of marriage), but can’t afford the travel costs
• they have a relative who needs an urgent operation, but they can't afford to pay for it
• they have a large inheritance, but can't access the money.

To avoid falling victim to a romance scam, never send money to someone you’ve only ever met online.

Scammers go to great lengths to gain your trust, sometimes sending gifts such as flowers, wine or chocolates. Here are some other tell-tale signs that the person you’re talking to, is not who they say they are:

• they ask for lots of personal information about you, but share very little about themselves
• they seem to have fallen in love with you very quickly
• they soon want to talk using instant messaging, email or text, instead of the dating site or app
• they claim to be from the UK, but say they’re away working or travelling
• they plan a visit to see you, but something comes up at the last minute and they cancel.

One of these points on its own may be innocent. But more than one, together with a request for money, can be a sign that it’s a romance scam. 

We tend to think of scams as something that happens to other people. In reality, anyone can be a target, so it's important to stay alert.

There are lots of things we do to protect you, but learning about common scams and the tactics criminals use can help you spot when something's not right including: 

• be mindful of what you share online. Never share your full name, date of birth and home address
• be suspicious of anyone who wants to get in a relationship quickly – a common warning sign of a scam. Also, if you’re concerned that someone’s profile picture looks too good to be true, try a reverse image search
• take a moment to stop and think. Never send money or pass on your bank details to someone you only know online.

If you think you've been the victim of any scam, it's important to call us straightaway. Call 03 456 100 100 (lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year).

You should also report it to Action Fraud Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first]. 

You can also check out the government-backed campaign Take Five Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first], for more tips on protecting yourself against financial fraud.