For example, you should be wary of someone who says they were born and raised in the United States but their grammar suggests that English is not their first language.

Be sure to schedule your date in a public and safe location. [3] X Expert Source Scott Nelson, JDPolice Sergeant, Mountain View Police Department Expert Interview. 2 April 2020. Take extra precautions to stay safe, such as by letting a couple of family members and friends know where you are meeting the person. Keep your phone with you at all times in case you need to call for emergency help, such as by calling 911 in the US. If an in-person meeting is not an option due to geographic location, request that you speak to the person by Skype or Google Hangout.

The name, email, or username may come up in a search of frequent online scammers. Online scammers often use other people’s online images. Sometimes online scammers adopt a real person’s identity to make their scam more believable.

They may say something like, “My subscription to this site is going to end tonight. Would you be interested in continuing this conversation by text or email?” Be wary if the person tries to speed up the romance or showers you with affection early on. These are red flags that the person may be planning to scam you.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t responded to your messages the past couple of days. My daughter was backpacking with some friends overseas and has been in a tragic accident. While traveling to be with her in the hospital, my wallet was stolen from my purse. I need some money for a hotel and food while I am here. Can you send me some money by Western Union? I will pay you back as soon as I get home!”

These questions could be as direct as asking about your salary or as indirect as asking about the type of car you drive or neighborhood you live in. Indirect questions, such as what type of car you drive, may seem innocent enough, but they can give your date an idea of how much money you have.

Travelling alone is not usually a good idea because it may make you more susceptible to predators. Consider taking a friend along with you on vacations. If you are traveling with a friend, you can have still have some time apart, but make sure to check in with each other throughout the day. A quick text message will do.

For example, if you are a 65-year-old retiree and a 25-year-old model is showing interest in having a relationship, it should raise suspicion.

You can get more information about internet fraud by visiting https://www. usa. gov/online-safety.

If this person has access to your social media, it would be a good idea to block them. This way, they can no longer contact you. It will also help you move on emotionally.

Don’t hesitate to seek support from friends, family, and counselors. Instead of treating this as a loss or a bad thing, treat it as a learning experience. How can you prevent this from happening in the future? Don’t avoid future relationships just because of one bad experience. Not everyone out there will use you. Give yourself time to grieve, then put yourself out there again.