Lonely Heart Scam

With increased uses of social media platforms and dating apps, consumers are more susceptible to fraudsters posing as someone they aren’t. What may appear to be your soulmate, could very well be a scammer. Fraudsters will often lure people in by posing as a trustworthy individual. Once they’ve done so, the conversation will often turn to money and how they can help you financially. In order to set up transfers, they will often ask for personal or financial information including login credentials, account numbers or debit card numbers.

Follow these simple tips to ensure that you don’t fall for a Lonely Heart Scam.

• Verify that the person you’re talking to is who they say they are.
• Be extra careful of individuals you’ve just met online who want to leave the site and move to other personal communication platforms like email or texting.
• Be suspicious if the conversation moves to a financial nature shortly after you’ve started talking.
• Never share financial information, such as account numbers, online credentials, and card numbers.

After you help fraudsters once, they’ll continue to find reasons for you to send them money. They might even go as far as creating a new profile under a different name after you’ve stopped communicating with them. Be mindful of how you’re spending your money and who you’re having financial conversations with.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of this scam, contact your local branchor call 1-800-NBT-BANK. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.