Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reissued a consumer alert on romance scams as Valentine's Day approaches. The alert aims to inform residents about scams commonly encountered on social media and dating platforms.

Romance scams target individuals seeking partners online. Scammers often claim to be in the military or working abroad, using these explanations to avoid meeting in person while quickly professing love for their victims.

"Romance scams can be emotionally and financially devastating," said Nessel. "It's crucial to protect yourself so searching for love isn’t exploited by bad actors. Be safe this Valentine’s Day and be wary of anyone who avoids meeting in person, asks for money due to an emergency or pressures you to pay using gift cards."

To help avoid falling victim to these scams, several tips are offered:

- Use reverse image search websites like Google Images to verify if an image appears elsewhere.

- Never agree to open a bank account or re-ship goods sent to you.

- Do not send money, prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to someone met online.

- Communicate only through the specific app and refrain from sharing personal phone numbers or email addresses.

- If someone contacts you on social media and urges a quick friendship or romance, slow down and consult someone you trust before responding.

For further details on common consumer scams or if you suspect being scammed, contact the Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at the provided address and phone numbers.