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Guard More Than Your Heart This Valentine's Day

woman holding balloons and hugging a man

This Valentine's Day, don't let your heart lead your wallet somewhere too good to be true. Scammers can be romantic, too!

In 2021, Americans lost $547 million to romance scams.

Stay vigilant to the following signs your valentine may be trying to win more than your heart:


  • Professes their love quickly
  • Asks for a lot of personal information too soon
  • Claims to be overseas or in the military
  • Asks for money
  • Tries to lure you to a different communication platform (such as moving the conversation from dating applications to messengers like WhatsApp)
  • Needs money quickly for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel

What to do if you think you could be a victim of a romance scam:


  • Slow down
Don't rush into dating someone new, whether in person or online. Talk to someone you trust if you aren't sure of their intentions.

  • Don't share personal information
Don't share personal information you're not comfortable sharing yet, especially when it involves your finances. Keep your credit/debit card numbers to yourself.

  • Never transfer money
Don't transfer any money from your bank account to buy gift cards or wire transfers and never share your account numbers.

  • Contact your bank right away
If you think you've sent money to a scammer, contact your bank right away. If you've given any of your credit/debit card numbers, turn those cards off while your bank investigates.

  • Report your experience
Check out our Simple Tips to Prevent Identity Theft for more ways to protect yourself. 
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Excerpt for Guard More Than Your Heart This Valentine's Day

In 2021, Americans lost $547 million to romance scams.