Don’t Let Scammers Break Your Heart This Valentine’s Day

It's nearly Valentine's Day and love is in the air (.....depending on who you ask). February has a reputation for being prime time for romance, unfortunately it's also a peak time for scammers looking to prey on those looking for love online.

The Minnesota Better Business Bureau is reminding you to beware of scammers who claim they're in desperate straits and ask you to wire money.

The BBB offers these tips to protect yourself and your wallet from being a victim:

Anyone Can Become a Target

Romance schemes typically target older individuals, but con artists aren't afraid to flirt with the younger crowd and have been moving into dating apps like Tinder. Scammers often give themselves away with poor grammar or misspellings.

Don't Let Your Guard Down

Simply put: never send money to someone you haven't met in person. Be especially careful when someone asks you to leave a dating website to contiune conversation through email or instant messaging. This allows the scammer to carry out their sceme without the dating site having a record of the encounter.

"Currently Out of the Country"

Anyone who claims they're outside the country could be a fraudster operating overseas, making it difficult for authorities to track them down.

Stay Grounded

Scammers may immediately claim to be head over heels in love with you. Does this sound normal? Be cautious if anything seems too good to be true. This is typically a way to lead their victims on until they find the right time to ask for money.

The BBB reminds you that while romance schemes spike during February, it's important to know that these scams happen throughout the year. For more information on scams and ways to protect yourself, visit their website.