This class addressed the rising concern of fraud in online romance, aiming to empower individuals with knowledge and strategies to protect themselves. This class covered how to spot potential scammers, safeguard personal and financial information, and navigate online dating safely.

Here are the key takeaways for staying safe while searching for love online:

Recognizing Scammers:

Too Fast, Too Soon: Scammers often profess love quickly to manipulate emotions.
Avoiding Real Contact: Be wary if they consistently refuse to meet in person or video chat.
Vague or Inconsistent Stories: Scammers may provide vague details about their life or give inconsistent accounts.
Asking for Money: A major red flag is any request for money, often citing an emergency or a personal crisis.
Unusually Attractive Photos: Be cautious if their photos seem too perfect or model-like, which could be stolen from elsewhere.

Protecting Your Information:

Keep Personal Info Private: Never share sensitive personal or financial information with someone you’ve only met online.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords: For online dating profiles and your email accounts linked to them.
Secure Communication: Use the messaging systems provided by the dating service and avoid switching to external platforms too quickly.

Safe Online Dating Practices:

Research Potential Matches: Use search engines and social media to check the authenticity of their profile.
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Listen to your gut feeling.
Report Suspicious Profiles: Utilize the report feature on dating sites to alert them about potential scammers.
Choose Reputable Dating Sites: Opt for dating services with a good reputation and robust security measures.

Additional Resources:

FTC’s Guide on Romance Scams: Offers comprehensive advice on avoiding romance scams.
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative: Provides support and resources for victims of online abuse and harassment.