Romantic love is one of the few experiences all of us share. It can bring meaning to our lives and give us a sense of direction. But scammers recognize this, too. Many try to take advantage of the value we place on romance through various romance scams.
This article takes a closer look at the problem of romance scams, while highlighting some steps you can take today to keep yourself (and your bank account) safe. Keep reading to learn more.
A romance scam is a type of fraud that involves a fake romantic relationship. People have lost millions of dollars to online dating scams for money. The total amount lost is well over $1 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
In this type of scam, the perpetrator may ask lots of questions and send explicit photos to make the victim believe they’ve entered into a love or lust-based relationship. Then the scammer exploits that trust to steal the other person’s money or personal details to later commit identity theft.
Romance scams are doubly tragic because of this. Victims of them lose both their money and the happiness they had when they believed the relationship was real.
The first step in avoiding romance scams is recognizing the different ways these scams occur. We highlight five of the most common romance scammer tactics below, but you may want to review our other guide on common scams to stay safe.
Romance scams are often perpetrated by people claiming to be military personnel. This creates a natural justification for not being able to FaceTime or visit the other person. It also gives the scammer a believable reason to ask their victim for international money transfers.
After developing a relationship, the scammer will eventually claim they need financial assistance. They may say they’re in a combat zone and can’t access their accounts or just that they’ve run out of money for the month. Either way, they’ll request that you lend them some cash until they can pay you back, then delete their scammer profiles soon after.
Lovers share a variety of intimate messages, photos, and videos with one another. Scammers try to solicit intimate photos and other content to take advantage of this. Once they get them, they threaten to make the material public unless you pay a ransom.
Some fraudsters try to use this scam even when they have no connection to potential victims. They might send an intimidating email claiming to have damage or embarrassing content of you.
Inheritance scams can also involve building a fake romantic relationship with a victim. Once a level of trust is established, the fraudster may begin talking about a large inheritance they’re about to receive.
Eventually, this transitions to the scammer asking their victim for money. They may say they need cash now to buy a plane ticket or pay taxes on the inheritance, then offer to pay you once they receive the money. This, of course, never happens. Romance scam victims who pay lose their money and are usually not able to get it back.
A sense of sudden, urgent financial need is a common thread that runs through many romance scams. Medical emergency scams are another version of that strategy.
These involve a scammer building a relationship with a victim to gain trust. Then, at some point, they tell the person that they or someone in their family has medical expenses they can’t pay. They may even say they won’t be able to get treatment until they have enough money.
The scammer hopes their victim will send them the cash they request without thinking too deeply about the situation. The sense of urgency is a calculated move designed to deceive.
Travel scams are another way that a fraudster may try to use a relationship to get money out of a victim. These can take a variety of forms but often involve requesting cash for a plane ticket to come visit the other person.
For example, after a lengthy online-only relationship, the scammer may say they’re ready to meet in person. But when the time comes to purchase a plane ticket, they could say that they don’t have enough money and ask their victim to help pay.
There are two ways to virtually guarantee you won’t become a victim of romance scammers.
The first is to not form romantic relationships with people you only know online. You could still meet new people on apps or the internet but would insist on either a video call or face-to-face meeting within the first week. That way, you’re not building a relationship and potentially making yourself vulnerable until you know the person is legitimate.
The other option is to make a rule that you’ll never send money to someone you only know online. This would allow you to continue forming relationships with new people without risking your finances. The challenge would be sticking to your word even if you form what appears to be a wonderful new relationship with someone you meet online.
Besides those options, you can take another look at the romance scams outlined in this article and their common warning signs so you know what to watch for. You can also review our guide to online safety to learn more about keeping yourself safe online.
It’s also worth learning how to run a reverse image search. These can help you find other romance scammer photos and scam stories so you don’t fall victim to the same romance scam red flags others have experienced already.
Unfortunately, romance scams are just one type of fraud you need to watch out for while using the internet. That’s why it’s so important to bank with a company that has robust account security measures in place.
Fidelity Bank could be just what you’re looking for. We offer powerful security and access control measures to keep your money safe. From multi-factor authentication to transaction alerts, we make it easier to live your life online without having to worry so much.
Want to learn more? Schedule an appointment with a banker and we’ll tell you how we can help.
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$20k Community Giveaway Guidelines
At Fidelity Bank, we believe in giving back to the community that has supported us over the years. Through our LifeDesign Community Dividend and other bank programs, we are committed to supporting programs and organizations that help improve the life of our clients, communities, and colleagues.
To celebrate 20 years of LifeDesign in the community, we will be providing grants to five local non-profits that you care about.
Nominate a non-profit to receive one of five grants totaling $20,000.
Fidelity Bank will select five non-profits based on nominations to be featured on our website and social media. Then, the community will vote for their favorite, determining the grant recipients.
Grant Prizes:
First Place: $10,000
Second: $5,000
Third: $3,000
Runner-Ups: $1,000 each
Fidelity Bank supports non-profit organizations and programs in the community that align with our mission and values:
Eligible non-profits must have active 501(c)(3) status with the IRS and must be operating a having a direct impact in the Fidelity Bank service areas in Central & Eastern Massachusetts.
Nomination Process
All nominations for funding must be made by submitting the nomination form located online at www.fidelitybankonline.com/20kGiveaway.
Nominations will be accepted until 11:59pm, October 15, 2023.
-Five finalists that best meet the criteria will be chosen by October 31, 2023.
-Community voting begins November 3, 2023 online at fidelitybankonline.com/20kgiveaway.
-Voting ends on November 17, 2023.
-Winners will be announced on November 20, 2023.
Please note, Fidelity Bank will NOT fund the following:
Political parties, candidates, causes or campaigns
Organizations practicing unlawful or discriminatory practices
Activities that generate a tangible or personal return
Dues payable to alumni groups or other membership organizations
Subscription fees for publications
Gifts to individuals
Trips or tours
Organizations or activities outside our designated areas of support
LifeDesign Celebration Dream Vacation Sweepstakes
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF WINNING.
1. Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Sweepstakes is Fidelity Bank, 9 Leominster Connector, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453 United States.
2. Eligibility: LifeDesign Celebration Dream Vacation Sweepstakes (the ”Sweepstakes”) is open only to those who sign up at the sweepstakes page located at https://www.fidelitybankonline.com/sweepstakes and who are 18+ as of the date of entry. The sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and is void where prohibited by law. Employees of Fidelity Bank (the "Sponsor") their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, suppliers and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate in the Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.
2. Agreement to Rules: By participating, you agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and you represent and warrant that you meet the eligibility requirements set forth herein. In addition, you agree to accept the decisions of the Sponsor as final and binding as it relates to the content. The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.
3. Sweepstakes Period: Entries will be accepted online starting on September 15, 2023 10:00AM and ending October 15, 2023 11:59PM . All entries must be received by October 15, 2023 11:59 PM.
4. How to Enter: No purchase necessary. The Sweepstakes must be entered by submitting an entry using the online form located at https://www.fidelitybankonline.com/sweepstakes. The sweepstakes can also be entered by submitting an entry via email to [email protected] with the subject line: Dream Vacation Sweepstakes. The entry must fulfill all sweepstakes requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are not complete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of Fidelity Bank. You may enter only once by email and you must include name, address, and phone number. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If you use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of the Sponsor.
5. Prizes: Winners will receive:
ONE (1) Prize: A Dream Vacation up to $10,000, awarded as a credit to Empire Travel, Inc, 98 West Main St. Dudley, MA 01571. https://empiretravelonline.net/. NO CASH VALUE. Winner must reserve their trip through Empire Travel within 12 months from the time award notification was sent.
Actual/appraised value may differ at time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by the Sponsor. No cash or other prize substitution permitted except at Sponsor's discretion. The prize is nontransferable. Any and all prize related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state and/or local taxes shall be the sole responsibility of the winner. May be subject to tax withholding. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by winners is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor to use winner's name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
6. Odds: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
7. Winner selection and notification: Winner of the Sweepstakes will be selected in a random drawing under the supervision of the Sponsor. Winner will be notified via email to the email address they entered the Sweepstakes with within five (5) days following the winner selection. Sponsor shall have no liability for a winner's failure to receive notices due to winner’s spam, junk e-mail, or other security settings or for winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If the selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 72 hours from the time award notification was sent, prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.
The receipt by winner of the prize offered in this Sweepstakes is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal and state laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY WINNER (AT SPONSOR'S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH WINNER'S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE SWEEPSTAKES AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.
8. Rights Granted by you: By entering this Sweepstakes you understand that the Sponsor, anyone acting on behalf of the Sponsor, or its respective licensees, successors and assigns will have the right, where permitted by law, without any further notice, review or consent to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use, worldwide in any media now known or hereafter in perpetuity and throughout the World, your entry, including, without limitation, the entry and winner's name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image or statements about the Sweepstakes, and biographical information as news, publicity or information and for trade, advertising, public relations and promotional purposes without any further compensation.
9. Terms: Fidelity Bank reserves the right, in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes should (in its sole discretion) a virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention, fraud or other causes beyond its control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes. In such a case, Fidelity Bank may select the recipients from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Sponsor.
Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or website or violates these Terms & Conditions.
Sponsor has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Sweepstakes, to void entries for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses: multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by sweepstakes rules: or the use of bots, macros or scripts or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Fidelity Bank reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.
10. Limitation of Liability: By entering you agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from (i) such entrant's participation in the sweepstakes and/or his/her/their acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof, (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunctioning of any computer, cable, network, hardware or software: (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions or telephone or Internet service: (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process of the Sweepstakes: (v) electronic or human error which may occur in the administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of entries.
11. Disputes: THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF United States AND Massachusetts WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Sweepstakes. participant agrees that any and all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Massachusetts having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages, including reasonable attorneys· fees. other than participant's actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes), and participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.
12. Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the Sponsor’s website. To read the Privacy Policy, click here: https://fidelitybankonline.com/privacy.
13. Winners List: To obtain a copy of the winner's name or a copy of these Official Rules mail your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Fidelity Bank, 9 Leominster Connector, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453. Requests must be received no later than 60 days after the Sweepstakes ends.