Keep your personal and organization data protected is one of OCD Tech's priorities, even when it comes to romance, being alert is key. Celebrate Valentine's Day infomed and safe online, with this information NCA and Norton provide.

More than 57 million people are using dating apps in the U.S. Unfortunately, some people use these apps for more than finding love. Instead, some scammers use them to carry out romance scams.

Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate or steal from the victim.

The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable. Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites.

The scammer’s intention is to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money.

Some of the most common internet dating scams include:      

• Fake dating sites: Scam dating sites claim to be legitimate but are actually filled with scammers or underpopulated. These websites are created to mine your information.        
• Photo scams: Scammers will convince their target to send their personal information in exchange for intimate photos.        
• Military romance scams: The scammer will pose as a military member, likely deployed. They build trust by using military jargon and titles, then ask for money to cover military-related expenses, such as flights home.
• Intimate activity scams: The scammer connects with their target on multiple social media websites. Once they become closer, the scammer convinces them to undress and then threatens them with the recordings.
• Code verification scams: Scammers will send a fake verification code through email or text, posing to be a dating app or website. Once clicked on, it will ask for their personal information, including Social Security number and credit cards.        
• Inheritance scams: Scammers will make their target believe they need to get married in order to get their inheritance. In this case, they will ask them to help pay for something like airfare.        
• Malware scams: Malware is also common on dating sites. In this case, the recipient will interact with a scammer who sends them a website that looks legitimate; however, it's a page that includes malware.

If you believe you are being targeted by a romance scam, take these actions:

• Stop communicating with the scammer immediately.
• Note any identifiable information you may have on them, such as their email address. Take screenshots and write down any contact information. 
• Contact your bank or credit card company if you think you’ve given money to a scammer.
• File a report with your local police department.
• Report the scam to the FTC and the FBI. 
• Alert the website, platform, or app where you met the scammer. They might have more information on the scammer that can help investigators. 

By adopting a few cybersecurity habits, you can limit what scammers can learn about you:

1. Share with care: Think before posting about yourself and others online, especially on social media or online dating services. Consider what a post reveals and who can see it. 
2. Check your settings: Consider setting your social media profiles to “private”. This will make it harder for scammers to target and communicate with you. 
3. Think before you click: Be wary of communications that push you for immediate action or ask for personal information – this could be a phishing attempt. Never share personal information.
4. Use reverse image search: If you think you might be talking to someone online who isn’t presenting themselves honestly, do a reverse image search of the account’s profile picture. You may see that image belongs to a completely different person, or has been affiliated with different online identities. If this is the case, there is a high chance the person behind the fake profile picture is trying to scam you.

When creating a cyber-secure workplace, fostering a culture of understanding is the key. Cybersecurity goes beyond the workplace. Learning about these types of online scams creates a good security culture and also creates a more cyber resilient society which benefits all of us. People who are cyber-aware at home are more likely to be cyber-aware at work. Also, victims of online romance scams and cybersecurity attacks could be utilized in an attack against your business.

Stay safe by being cautious about who you interact with until you can confirm their identity. And always be on the lookout for the warning signs of typical online dating scams.

Source: NCA, NORTON, FBI