Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? Be scam aware online!


Released 13/02/2020

Be careful when looking for love online, one false move could leave you with a broken heart and an empty wallet.

David Snowden, ACT Commissioner for Fair Tradingsaid “last year, Australians lost more than $28 million to romance scammers.

“We know that many people find love and happiness online, but there are scammers out there who may not be who they claim to be.

“These scammers often exploit people through online dating sites or apps, spending months building up a realistic profile and then asking for money once they’ve established a sense of trust,” he said.

So, if you are looking for love online this Valentine’s Day, stay smart and take note of these useful tips:

  • Do a google image search or a TinEye reverse image search to check if their profile is legitimate.
  • Be open to the idea that scammers are prevalent online.
  • Be careful about the amount of personal information you share and avoid sharing compromising material, which scammers can use to blackmail you.
  • If you’re meeting someone in person, let your family and friends know where you are going.
  • Don’t give money to someone if you haven’t met them in person.
  • If you think you’ve given your bank account details to a scammer, immediately contact your bank or financial institution to stop any further losses.

Anyone who has fallen victim to identity theft should contact IDCARE. You can report scams to the ACCC or find more information about romance scams, on the ACCC Romance and Dating page.

- Statement ends -

ACT Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate | Media Releases

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