Barclays reports large spike in romance scams - here's how to avoid them

Romance scams increased sharply during May and June, according to data from Barclays, with men losing £3,500 on average and women £8,900.

The UK bank found a 139% increase in the total value of romance scam reports when comparing May and June with the previous two months.

While men account for the majority of romance scam reports received, women typically lose more money, Barclays said.

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Kirsty Adams, a fraud and scams expert at the lender, said: "It may be surprising to see that men more often fall victim to romance scams, as stereotypes have often incorrectly painted women as more susceptible.

"This is backed by our additional research, which shows that men are generally more willing than women to transfer money to people they have recently started dating, even if they are yet to meet in person."

What does a romance scam look like? 

Romance scammers usually create fake profiles online on social media and dating apps, such as Instagram, Facebook and Tinder. 

They trick people into believing that they are in a relationship through false romantic gestures or words. After this, they normally begin asking for money claiming medical or family issues. 

There is no limit on how long such scams can last, as it can be anywhere from a few weeks to months. 

We look at how to differentiate between a genuine connection and a fraud, and a few things to be wary of. 

How to avoid romance scams  

What makes romance scams so dangerous is how fraudsters can control the victims’ emotions and make their feelings appear legitimate.

But sometimes, following your gut instinct can be the right thing to do in order to protect yourself. 

Here are a few ways to save yourself some emotional and financial damage:

Be cautious of strangers on social media 

Avoid accepting friend requests from people you don’t recognise. In the odd case that you do, make sure to thoroughly check their profiles before you begin a conversation. 

Carry out a reverse image check

Sometimes, scammers tend to use attractive or stolen photos to create a fake identity. By doing a reverse image search on Google, you can verify if it’s an authentic person or a fake. 

Ask questions

Sometimes, if the person seems as if they are too good to be true, it might just be right. A lot of times, scammers tend to stick to asking personal questions, instead of answering them. Try to get the most out of the other person and cross-check that information online, if possible. For example, a school they went to or a friend you have in common. 

Never send money

If you’ve only met someone online and they ask you for money, they’re most likely to be a scammer. Don’t share any personal information such as your bank details or passwords that could be exploited. 

Notice the tiny details

See if the person avoids showing their face on video calls or suggests meeting in person. It might be because they are catfishing or using someone else’s photos to trick you. 

Report suspicious activity

If you suspect you are being targeted by a scammer, report the account or incident online. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.  

Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds Bank, said, “Social media and online dating apps are rife with fake profiles, and it can be hard to tell who is genuine. 

“Remember that no good relationship starts off by sending money to someone you haven't met and this should be a big red flag. 

"As soon as someone you’re talking to starts asking for money, step back from the situation and never hand anything over.”

What to do if you fall for a scam 

If you have sent money to someone you now suspect to be a fraudster, the first thing to do is to speak to your bank, building society or credit card provider. You should do this as quickly as possible; they may be able to stop the payment or refund you the money.

It’s also a good idea to report scams ‒ whether you fall for them or not ‒ to Action Fraud. This is the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, which is run by the police.