NSW residents searching for love this Valentine’s Day are being warned to guard their hearts – and wallets – against charming con artists posing as the real deal.
In 2024, scammers managed to steal more than $8.9 million from NSW residents using romance scams, according to ScamWatch.
Fraudsters are skilled professionals at lying and deceiving their victims and seemingly there is no age limit, with all age groups represented in 798 reports of romance and dating scams last year in NSW including under 18s.
Tips to avoid falling victim to a romance scam include:
- Minimise the amount of personal info on your dating profile and adjust your privacy settings. Limit the disclosure of full names, addresses, work, location, and information about any children.
- Keep conversations on the app. Online safety features on the app can only protect people while they’re using the app.
- Look out for suspicious photos or profiles. Many dating apps now include verified photos which show a person is legitimate. An image search can also determine if a person is who they say they are.
- Set up multi-factor authentication for accounts. Multi-factor authentication will help secure and minimise the risk of being hacked.
- If it doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. You don’t have to talk to someone just because you have been matched. You don’t have to agree to anything that you’re unsure about, or that makes you feel uncomfortable. It is always your decision.
Anyone interested in learning more about scams, warning signs, and protecting their identity can sign up now for a free online event on romance scams on 14 February hosted by ID Support NSW.
The event starts at 11:00am and will run for one hour. It will feature advice on how to spot common dating and romance scams, tools for protecting yourself and there will be opportunities to ask questions directly to experts.
ID Support NSW also has a range of tools and information to protect people from scammers including a Data Breach Portal which checks if an email anyone has received from ID Support NSW is authentic.
Anyone concerned about the security of personal information they store can use ID Support NSW’s Personal Information Risk Assessment Tool (PIRAT) to understand the potential risks in holding customer data. The tool can be used both proactively and in the wake of a data breach to assess risk from low to extreme based on the information’s usage and its appeal to cybercriminals.
Book a spot in the ID Support NSW online event: www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/events/share-your-heart-and-not-your-identity-valentines-day
Customers who want to access the Data Breach Portal can visit portal.idsupport.nsw.gov.au/s/
To undertake a risk assessment via the PIRAT, go to www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw/be-prepared/pirat
Anyone who has experienced a scam and is seeking advice on what to do next can also call ID Support NSW on 1800 001 040 to speak with one of our advisors for personalised advice. Advisors are available from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Interpreter services are available.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib said:
“Fraudsters aren’t afraid to give you heartache this Valentine’s Day and will use sophisticated scams to try and steal from people across NSW.
“People can protect themselves from being rorted by Romeo or jilted by Juliet by not sending money to anyone they have not met in person.
“It’s important victims of romance scams speak up and get the help they need. ID Support NSW is here to help you – and remember, there is no shame in falling victim to a con artist.”
Director ID Support NSW, Jacki Muir said:
“Know the warning signs and take steps to protect yourself so you don’t fall victim to these convincing imposters.”
