TikTok Warns Customers to be Cautious of Romance Scams Forward of Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day developing subsequent week (2/14), TikTok has issued a warning to its users to be cautious of romance scams, the place fraudsters goal weak singles, mostly through social and relationship apps.

As defined by TikTok:

“In 2020, losses from romance scams reported to the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) topped $304 million, climbing 50% from 2019. As a continuation of our efforts to encourage individuals to #BeCyberSmart alongside fraud consciousness champions – together with the Nationwide Cyber Safety Alliance (NCSA), Id Theft Useful resource Middle (ITRC), About-Fraud, The Knoble, Wiser – Free Safety Coaching, and Frank on Fraud – we admire TikTok creators for serving to to shine a highlight on the merciless intentions of so-called suitors which have long-plagued relationship apps or different on-line boards.”

Romance scams are within the highlight proper now as a result of not too long ago launched Netflix documentary ‘The Tinder Swindler’, which appears on the story of scammer Simon Leviev and his advanced schemes designed to steal cash from varied girls.

Should you want a reminder of the dangers, it’s price trying out (word: Leviev can be, reportedly, active on TikTok).

For TikTok particularly, the platform has shared the following pointers:

• Take it slowly – TikTok says that swindlers are fast to profess their affection, and can look to take conversations off apps. “A finest observe is to vet your new heartthrob by asking questions, and take note of inconsistencies that will reveal your crush as an impostor”.
• Maintain your funds (and private data) to your self – This feels apparent, however will be much less entrance of thoughts once you’re within the throes of ardour. “Should you’ve by no means met in particular person, do not ship or change cash through present playing cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and do not share private particulars like checking account, house handle, or different delicate data”.
• Do not play video games – TikTok advises that customers ought to use Google Images to conduct a reverse picture search of somebody’s profile photograph. “If outcomes present the identical photograph on one other website however with a distinct title hooked up, a scammer could have stolen it”. TikTok additionally means that customers copy and paste the textual content from suspicious emails and messages right into a search engine to see if others have acquired the identical.

Lastly, TikTok advises that if one thing feels off, customers ought to reduce off all contact instantly.

“Fraud, scams, and dangerous enterprise practices can be reported to the Federal Commerce Fee, FBI Web Crime Criticism Middle (IC3), and IRS Taxpayer Information to Id Theft within the US, together with Motion Fraud within the UK. Should you encounter suspicious exercise in-app, report it to TikTok’s Security Middle, and observe @TikTokTips for extra methods to #BeCyberSmart.”

All scams are horrible, and have potential to trigger vital hurt, however people who goal weak individuals are even worse, and single individuals searching for a companion are sometimes in a really weak state, particularly round Valentine’s Day after they’re being reminded of that lingering need repeatedly.

Given this, it’s price taking an additional second of pause in such conditions and contemplating these parts.

Along with this, TikTok has additionally printed a new one-sheeter on its varied privateness and safety instruments as a part of its safer use initiatives.

It’s price taking all of those measures into consideration, and contemplating the impacts of your on-line interactions in all apps.