At Cabrillo Credit Union, we want our members to understand how these scams work and how to recognize the warning signs before financial harm occurs.

How Romance Scams Typically Begin

Romance scams often start through social media platforms, dating apps, or online communities. A scammer may create a fake profile using stolen photos and fabricated personal details.

They often present themselves as someone trustworthy, such as:

• A military service member stationed overseas
• An engineer or contractor working abroad
• A professional traveling for work
• Someone recently widowed or going through a difficult time

In the early stages, the scammer focuses on building a relationship. They may communicate frequently, offer compliments, and quickly express strong emotional feelings.

How Scammers Build Trust

Romance scammers often take time to build credibility before asking for money. They may:

• Send daily messages and communicate often
• Share emotional stories about their life
• Talk about future plans together
• Move conversations off the dating platform to private messaging apps

The goal is to build enough trust that when they eventually ask for financial help, the request feels personal and believable.

Once trust is established, the scammer usually introduces a financial emergency or urgent situation.

Common requests include money for:

• Travel expenses to come visit you
• Medical emergencies
• Business problems or lost equipment
• Customs fees or shipping costs
• Unexpected financial hardship

Scammers often ask for payment through methods that are difficult to trace or recover, such as:

• Gift cards
• Wire transfers
• Cryptocurrency
• Payment apps

These requests may start small but can quickly increase over time.

Warning Signs To Watch For

Be cautious if someone you met online:

• Quickly expresses strong romantic feelings
• Avoids meeting in person or having video calls
• Claims they are working overseas or traveling frequently
• Asks for money for emergencies or unexpected expenses
• Requests payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency

If someone you have never met in person asks you for money, it is important to pause and carefully evaluate the situation.

What To Do If You Suspect a Romance Scam

• Stop sending money immediately.
• End communication with the individual.
• Save messages or documentation of the interaction.
• Report the situation to the platform where the contact began.
• Contact your financial institution if money has already been sent.

Taking action early may help prevent additional financial loss.

Staying Informed Can Help Protect You

Romance scams rely on emotional manipulation and trust to succeed. Staying informed about these tactics can help protect you and your finances.

If you believe you may have been targeted by a scam or notice suspicious activity on your account, contact Cabrillo Credit Union as soon as possible. Our team is here to help support our members and protect their financial well-being.