Valentine’s Day is a time for romance however for scam artists it’s a prime opportunity to take advantage of people looking for love on the internet. To help keep you safe online this Valentine’s Day (and every other day) here is a look at the top five romance scams and tips on how to protect yourself from those scammers.

Malicious Valentine’s day emails
Looking for love in all the wrong places? That email link from your ‘secret admirer’ won’t hook you a date – it’s called phishing. Clicking the link allows fraudsters to access valuable personal details, such as usernames and passwords.

Love giveaways (social media)
Seen a Valentine’s weekend away offer that’s too good to miss? You’ll get more than you bargained for clicking one of these offers on your social media account when malicious software is downloaded to your computer.

Online dating scams
Online dating websites are more popular than ever but beware of people with a ‘sob story’ that ask you to send money to help them. You won’t see or hear from them again… unless they need more money.

Social network phony profiles
Someone who looks like a fashion model wants to add you as a friend on Valentine’s Day? It must be fate! The truth – it’s actually social engineering. Consider all that personal information an identity thief could access by being your Facebook friend.

Flower scam – fraudulent website
Oh no! Forgot what day it was? Fraudulent websites are set up to guarantee delivery of flowers and gifts to your loved one on the day. The reality is the website takes your information and card details, and your partner never gets those flowers.

Bad for business
Online shopping on work computers during lunch is becoming increasingly common as people plan surprises away from their partners. Businesses should beware of this type of staff behaviour and protect themselves against scams (all year round – not just Valentine’s Day) because one employee being scammed can infect a whole computer network. To support businesses against cyber criminals, the Business Crime Reduction Centre (BCRC) offers free business security advice to small and medium sized businesses in the Yorkshire and Humber region including online safety advice, social media policies and virus testing – contact BCRC for support by either calling 0114 275 1283 or emailing [email protected] for more information.

Protect yourself from romance fraudsters:

• Don’t put yourself and your identity at risk by trusting people too quickly.
• Guard your privacy and do not reveal too much personal information online.
• Never send money to people you have never met; fraudsters often ask for money using a variety of emotional triggers to appeal to you.
• When using online dating sites, keep communications via the website – avoid using personal email addresses or social networks.

What to do if you’ve been a victim of romance scams?
Break off all contact immediately. Do not send any more money. Report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or using the online reporting tool at www.actionfraud.police.uk

The Business Crime Reduction Centre is delivered in partnership with Yorkshire-based charity, People United Against Crime and South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside Police forces. BCRC is part financed by the European Union through the Yorkshire and Humber European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007-2013. 

For more information please visit: www.bcrc-uk.org