Online dating agencies
Always take great care when signing up to an online dating
agency.
Thousands of people are now signed up to online dating sites and
many have found true love and happiness because of them, however
the same is not true for some users.
Many online agencies compete in a lucrative market and it’s
often difficult for them to screen the vast number of people who
sign up to their websites. It is therefore important you take extra
care when speaking to someone over the internet who you have never
met before.
Today, Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards are warning of a scam
where a person creates a false profile at an online dating agency,
makes contact on the pretence of seeking romance and then steals
your money.
Scammers can sign up to online dating agencies and chat rooms
just like anyone else. Many online dating sites allow anyone to
join for free and scammers often take advantage of the anonymity of
the internet to create a profile of your perfect match.
They will not ask you for money immediately. Instead they will
build up a relationship with you in which they make numerous
promises to attract you and cause you to let your defences down.
Therefore it is important to be aware of the signs you need to keep
an eye out for.
At first the scammer will try to convince you that you are in a
loving relationship. The next logical step is for them to meet you,
however there is a problem. They don’t have enough money to travel
to see you.
They will then ask you to send money to them via a money
transfer agent so that they are untraceable. Other reasons they
give for the need of financial support may include that they are
abroad and don’t have enough money for the flight or for a visa,
that they have been robbed and beaten, or they require urgent
surgery and you are the only person who can help them.
Beware also of those who use PO Box addresses and telephone
numbers which they never answer and do not have voicemail. Also
watch out if your new online date talks about themselves a lot and
does not answer your questions. It may be because they are sending
standard emails to hundreds of people.
Simon Wilkinson, Principal Trading Standards Officer, said; “The
majority of people who sign up to online dating sites are simply
looking for friendship and you shouldn’t think that everyone has
signed up in order to part you from your money. The message from
Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards is just to be careful.
“To protect yourself from falling victim to an online dating
scam, Vale Trading Standards recommends that you never, ever send
money or reveal your bank details to someone you do not know,
however plausible they sound. Stop, think and be sceptical. Is this
person who they really say they are?”
Vale Trading Standards recommends that you take the following
steps to protect yourself:
- Only use a reputable online dating agency or chat service and
follow the basic safety tips for online dating
- Be sceptical and ask yourself simple questions, for example;
‘why am I the only person who can help them, when I have just met
them?’