How to Prevent Romance Scams?
Receiving text
messages, e-mails, and other forms of communication can be a lot of fun as a
blogger. However, there are times when bloggers receive unwelcomed messages
online. Unwelcomed messages such as unsolicited marriage proposals, asking for
money, and pornographic images. Often, asking for the blogger’s telephone
number. Other times asking if you have a WhatsApp or another form of cellphone
communication. As a blogger, you must be aware of the online frauds and be
updated about the latest frauds.
Even if you are not a
blogger, online romance frauds have increased and occur more frequently these
days online. It is recommended not to share any personal information especially
telephone numbers. If the messages get out of hand, report, and block the stranger
that is sending you the information. Do not engage in any photo sharing or
video sharing. If an online stranger asks you for money, do not send money
through PayPal, electronic checks, gift cards, money order, cryptocurrency, or
any form of currency.
Know the signs of
online romance frauds which consists of long messages with a sad personal story
and grammatical errors with misspelled words. Towards the middle or the end of
the long messages, the scammer will ask you for a huge amount of money. Other
times a scammer will send a long message about affection and praising you in a
romantic manner. Additionally, the scammer will marry you right away if you
send them a huge amount of money for traveling expenses. Do not fall in the
trap of sending them money even if they say they will pay you back when they
arrive to their destination.
If the online stranger
asks you for personal pictures other than your profile picture, do not send
them any pictures. Furthermore, if the stranger asks to see you on a web cam,
do not turn on the camera or video feature of your electronic devices. Turning
on the feature of using the camera or video will allow the online stranger to
record you or manipulate the images. These images will later be used against you,
or the fraudster will ask you for more money. Therefore, be careful with who
you socialize online.
Another form of online
romance frauds is by making you feel wanted, needed, or loved at a quick pace.
Do not believe everything that these strangers tell you. Often these strangers
want to have a thrill and fool you in believing that they have fallen in love
with you. Block and delete these unwelcomed messages for your peace of mind. Below
are links about preventing online romance frauds.
How to Spot and Avoid Romance Scams:
https://www.equifax.co.uk/resources/identity-protection/how-to-spot-and-avoid-romance-scams.html
Romance Scams:
https://www.netsafe.org.nz/romance-scams/
Online Romance Scams:
https://thecoalition.org/online-romance-scams/
How to Spot the Signs of a Romance Scammer and Report Online Dating Scams:
How to Spot the Signs of a Romance Scammer and Report Online Dating Scams
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