GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – This Valentine’s Day is shaping up to be big, according to projections by the National Retail Federation, which suggests that consumer spending will reach nearly $24 billion.
Whether you’re hoping to spark a new relationship or buying gifts for loved ones, there are common scams that Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says to watch out for.
“[If people are] looking to buy gifts like jewelry or flowers for their Valentines, they may come across some fake websites. So we want to make sure that you are aware of this scam and watch for the red flags,” Bach said. “If they have non-existent customer service and contact information on the website, those are all the kinds of websites that you should stay away from.”
Red flags also include extreme discounts or odd payment methods like cash transfer apps or cryptocurrency.
Romance scams are also hot heading into the holiday, as vulnerable singles are often targeted through fake profiles on dating websites.
“Scammers are creating fake profiles on dating websites and trying to lure victims into a romance scam where they can lose thousands of dollars or get roped into being a co-conspirator,” Bach told WTAQ News. “They’re gonna ask you either for money, like they would love to come and see you but they need to buy a plane ticket, or they’re going to ask you to do them a favor like receive a package for them…[you] could lose personal information, money, and these often have very devastating consequences for the victims of these romance scams.”
If you encounter a suspected romance scam, cut off all contact with the perpetrator by blocking their accounts and phone number. Then, report your experience to http://BBB.org/ScamTracker. Dating site users should also report suspicious activity to the platform, so they can take action against the scammers account.
For more information about romance scams, visit BBB.org/romance.
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