Pennsylvanians are losing millions to romance scams. Here’s how to protect yourself

Hundreds of Pennsylvanians lost a combined $21 million to romance scams in 2023, a problem that is on the rise with the use of AI-generated photos.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just a time for flowers, candy, and cards. It’s also peak romance scam season.

According to Social Catfish, an online service where you can verify the identity of a potential suitor, the biggest trend among romance scammers currently involves someone using a fake identity to trick another person into believing they are in a relationship or friendship with them, a practice known as catfishing. The scammers typically steal photos of attractive and successful looking people and use them to create fake profiles on dating apps and social media. 

Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams such as catfishing in 2023, with Pennsylvania accounting for $21.3 million of those losses, the sixth highest amount in the country and a nearly 50% increase over 2022. In all, 549 Pennsylvanians lost an average of $38,832 to romance scams last year, which was 14th highest among states and a 62% increase over the 2022 average.

California was the most-scammed state in 2023, with 2,024 victims losing a total of $100.6 million. Florida was second, with 1,351 victims coughing up $62.9 million to romance scammers.

What is a romance scam? 

The FBI defines a romance scammer as someone who lies about their identity online and then quickly establishes a close relationship with their potential victim. In order to get their victim to trust them they will seem caring, genuine, and even infatuated with that person. Within a short time frame they could string along the idea of building a future, or getting married, and then they will eventually ask for money. 

This may seem like an easy to spot tactic, but the FBI stresses that romance scammers are very good at what they do as they manipulate people for a living. Bilking Pennsylvanians out of $21.3 million in one year would prove that point. 

How to spot a romance scammer:

• According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are scammers on most online dating and social media platforms. You may be looking for love and fall into a trap, or you could receive an unexpected message from someone with ill intent. 
• The con artists will often create a fake job that makes it easier to convince their victim to send them money while also providing a reason that they can’t meet in person.  
• Some of the most common lies are that they are overseas on a business project or in the military, giving them an easy segue into asking for money to cover “medical expenses” or getting them out of unexpected trouble. 

How scammers are using AI to catfish victims

In addition to stealing real photos from other people, scammers are increasingly using AI to generate photos. Signs of AI-generated photos include: 

• Anatomy Errors: Extra or missing legs, arms, fingers, etc. 
• Strange Outfits: The wording on clothing is gibberish or misspelled
• Be wary of perfection: Images too shiny or cartoonish
• Impossible Shadows: They are in the sun but there are no shadows
• Objects: Does their watch, hat or glasses blur into the body

Suspicious? Do a reverse image search

The easiest way to confirm someone’s identity from a photo and prevent a romance scam is to perform a reverse image search using a tool such as Google Lens. You simply upload a photo of the person you are chatting with online and hit search. This will help you confirm the real identity of the person in the photo. 

What to do if you’re the victim of a romance scam 

Report it to your local law enforcement agency, the Federal Trade Commission, and if you are being extorted go to the FBI. 

Alert the social media site where they contacted you. 

If you paid the scammer through a wire transfer, gift card, credit or debit card, or crypto currency, contact your bank or the company and ask for a refund. 

Protect your identity by changing your passwords and setting up two-factor authentication for online accounts. Secure and monitor your bank accounts and credit. 

Be cautious of future scams. The person who scammed you or their network may approach you in a different way.