Australian Competition and Consumer Commision warns that people looking for romance online need to be wary as social media now has become the most common method scammers use to contact potential victims.
Scamwatch tips
Never provide your financial details or send funds to someone you’ve met online. Scammers particularly seek money orders, wire transfers or international funds transfer as it’s rare to recover money sent this way.
Run a Google Image search to check the authenticity of any photos provided as scammers often use fake photos they’ve found online.
Be very wary if you are moved off a dating website as scammers prefer to correspond through private emails or the phone to avoid detection.
Don’t share intimate photos or use webcams in an intimate setting. The ACCC has received reports of scammers using such photos or webcam recordings to blackmail victims.
If you think you have fallen victim to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately and report it to www.scamwatch.gov.au (link is external). (source: ACCC)
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