While love is in the air, so too is the risk of bringing home a scam. Valentine’s Day is an annual opportunity for scammers to take advantage of the swells in affection, and with that, swells of online activity. While some people might not mind an extra email or a few messages on a social media platform, Valentine’s Day can cause serious financial loss and emotional harm to many others. Being aware of the threats is the first step to protect you and your loved ones.
Why is Valentine’s Day such a target for scams?
Valentine’s Day is a very lucrative time for scammers, as people tend to be extremely busy searching for presents, booking romantic weekend getaways, and dating. There are a number of reasons why the scams are high during this period:
Emotional vulnerability
Feelings of loneliness, and pressure to find love, can make people more vulnerable to online dating scams. Fraudsters can use fake profiles to ‘wine and dine’ their victims and slowly gain their trust. They will eventually ask for some kind of payment in exchange for a chance to meet, knowing full well that victims will be willing to pay for the chance of real love.
Increased online shopping
With a rise in shopping for gifts, flowers, and romantic travels online, fake e-commerce websites and virus links get a chance to be introduced in the market as well. People search the internet for the best gift at a lower price for their loved ones, which makes them vulnerable to fake websites that take away their personal and financial details. Online shopping is hype but on the other side of the coin, many unscrupulous sites are launched and this puts people at risk of falling into their trap.
Generosity and charity
This season is also a good time for them to take advantage of the sentimental nature of the day and people’s goodwill. Some scammers create fake charities or fundraising campaigns by inventing touching stories (eg, to save a child who needs a heart operation, or something related to Love, Relationships, or Poor People In Need Of Help), and then they ask you for money. You, swelling with the spirit of Valentine’s Day and wanting to be generous, make a donation only to find out that you have just given your money to some fraudulent cause.
Common Valentine’s day phishing scams to watch out for
There are some simple ways to recognize these scams and avoid getting duped, so let’s review some of the most common V-Day scams:
Romance scams
Romance scams on Valentine’s Day are very common. Here, scammers set up fake dating profiles on dating websites or social media accounts to woo victims. They slowly gain their confidence and sow trust before asking for money to pay for a fictional emergency. It is not unusual for these victims to be left not just heartbroken, but devastated by debt.
Online dating scams
Online dating frauds will take the form of someone looking for love on a dating site. Similar to vishing tactics, they usually engage in long and meaningful communication with you, hoping to build a relationship of trust, before inventing some story where they are in desperate fiscal trouble and asking for your help.
Never share personal details with someone you do not know. Never send money to someone you think you have a connection with online but who you haven’t met yet. The promise of romance can lead us to overlook the glaring signs of a scam.
Fake flower and delivery services
There are many fake flower and gift delivery websites that give good deals, but they do not exist only to take personal and payment details. Always verify whether the online flower shop is trustworthy or not. After confirming it, enter the website, and carefully check the URL to prevent accidental visits to fake websites. You will avoid being cheated, as well as getting disappointed.
Fake e-card websites
Fraudsters set up spoof e-card sites with fake messages containing links to malware that can be downloaded to your device without you knowing it. Make sure you’re expecting any e-card you open and check for genuine URLs to avoid phishing attacks. E-cards are supposed to be the gift, not the gift that keeps on giving malware.
Tips to avoid Valentine’s Day scams
You can certainly avoid falling victim to a Valentine’s scam by being on your guard and being careful. Here are some tips:
Don’t enter suspicious websites
Don’t open websites you don’t know or trust. Use utilities such as WOT’s Safe Browsing feature to check any website’s safety and community ratings or reviews of the site.
This information can help determine whether or not it is safe before you do business. Taking an extra moment to check out the website will help keep you from having access to your personal information compromised.
Avoid suspicious emails
Be wary of emails from unknown senders, personal or romantic in nature, as well as offers and discounts. Do not click on links or unzip attachments from suspicious emails. WOT’s Email Protection will help you out. You can turn on all its anti-phishing features, including the ability to warn you if your email is being targeted by phishing attempts and scams.
It also comes with Smart Email Detection, which provides advanced phishing protection from threats and scams by uncovering and preventing dangerous links that are embedded within your emails.
Keep your personal information safe
Do not tell strangers anything sensitive about your private life. Update software regularly to help protect your devices and personal data from malicious attacks and malware, and always use secure passwords and multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Strong password protection can help you prevent identity theft and fraud.
Trust your instincts
Trust your gut if something doesn’t feel right or, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t send money, personal information, or your private photos to anyone you’ve never met in person. Protect your safety and privacy so you don’t get scammed. Your intuition is a great tool to help you avoid scams.
Enjoy a secure and enjoyable Valentine’s Day
With these things in mind, you can make Valentine’s Day secure and enjoyable — as long as you’re wary of the latest scams and get a good grasp of some preventive measures. Stay tuned and use WOT’s online security tools to make sure that you are not only protected and safe, but also aware of the potential dangers. Celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to make you a victim in the hands of unscrupulous schemes — it’s enough for you to make the right decisions.
FAQs
What indicators suggest a potential romance scam?
Warning signs include professions of love early in the relationship, either unwillingness or inability to meet in person, and frequent requests for money. Be careful of stories about sudden emergencies or travel needs, and insist on verifying the identity of a profile.
What action should I take if I fall victim to a scam?
Stop all communication with the scammer, report the incident to your local authorities, and contact your bank or credit card company to secure your accounts. Gather documentation and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report. Taking immediate action can help limit the damage and protect you against future scams.
How can I confirm if an online store is secure?
Read what other users say about the store via user reviews and ratings, make sure it is hosted over HTTPS so that the site has the security certification SSL, check an independent source for the store, and most importantly don’t buy from a site that you cannot verify.
What should I do if I receive a suspicious Valentine’s Day email?
If someone who is not in your contact list sends you a Valentine’s Day email , you should not click on any links or attachments. Instead, report it as spam and use anti-phishing tools like WOT to identify emails that might harm you. Staying vigilant with your emails will keep your personal and financial information safe from phishing attempts.
How can I avoid falling for fake Valentine’s Day promotions?0
Stay away from any deal that seems too good to be true. Always check a source before making a purchase and take advantage of security tools such as WOT to see whether promotional links or websites are safe to avoid being sweet-talked into buying counterfeit Valentine’s offers.