GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Love can be difficult to find, but studies show Wisconsin ranks up there for people who get taken advantage of while looking.
Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says the victims are falling for catfishing scams, and it is common in the badger state.
“Wisconsin is number three, “Bach said. “Catfishing really is a very terrible crime that targets elderly people and it usually is very expensive.”
She says once the trust is made with the stranger, usually there is a request for some money transfer and that is where people become extra lovesick.
“The average victim gets taken for more than $14,000 dollars.”
She says catfishing usually takes an emotional toll on people because they were convinced that they were in love.
Bach says a red flag is that the scammer does not want to meet in person or talk on the phone and the discussion usually leads to money after the trust is established.
“The date never wants to meet in person, they never want to talk on the phone and they are very quick to take communications off the website.”
Only Alaska and Nevada rank higher than Wisconsin.
