NSW Fair Trading marked Valentine’s Day this week by reminding romantics across the State to open their hearts but not their bank accounts.
Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said swindlers had taken advantage of people looking for love to the tune of more than $12 million in dating and romance scams across NSW in 2022, down from $16 million in 2021.
“People may be becoming more scam savvy but if you let your guard down you might end up with more than a broken heart,” Ms Mann said.
“People 65 and older lost the most money to scams last year but it is important to remember anyone can become a target.”
She warned that con artists were becoming more cunning, using online games and websites to contact victims and build an emotional connection.
“Once these financial Casanovas have won the hearts of their victims, they will often come up with an elaborate story about why they need financial help such as losing a credit card or being behind on rent,” the Commissioner said.
“If you are contacted by someone and are unsure if the conversation is legitimate, you should ask a friend or family member for their opinion to help identify if the person is real,” she said.
“People looking for love through online dating agencies should also be sure to read the site’s fine print, with the most common complaints about genuine matchmaking websites in 2022 involving people understanding their rights and getting refunds.”
Ms Mann said it was important that people read and understood the terms and conditions of contracts before signing so they knew what they were paying for, “don’t let the promise of love play on your emotions”.
Information on how to spot the warning signs of romance scams can be accessed on the scamwatch website at this PS News link.
