Singles seeking love online are urged to be vigilant with their data and learn how to spot the signs of online romance scams, following a 44% increase in scammers targeting dating app users.
Data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission revealed lonely Australians lost a record $56 million to dating and romance scammers last year.
With Valentine's Day a busy time for dating apps, Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos said there are a number of steps people could take to protect themselves against scammers.
These include:
- Doing quick online checks such as an image search to see if the profile photo of their romantic interest is legitimate.
- Communicating solely within the app, where there are greater protections for users.
- Never transferring money to or sharing bank account details with someone you haven't met in person.
"When it comes to love, it is important to listen to your head as well as your heart," Ms Petinos said.
People who have fallen victim to identity theft should contact IDCARE online, or by phone 1300 432 273, or report it to ScamWatch.
Learn more about romance scams
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