Romance In The Air –
Love So True …
Ah, April Fools …
It’s not nice to play tricks on people. Especially tricks of the heart.
The dating world is different today than it was many years ago. Statistics show that U.S. adults are getting married later in life and that most people who are single are happy with their relationship status.
According to 2023 Pew Reach Center:
- 3 in 10 Americans are single
- About half (51%) are open to either a committed relationship or casual dates
- Over half of men (56%)are looking for either a committed relationship or casual dates
- Less than half of women (44%) say the same thing
So, what about those who would like to be in a relationship? How much are you will to pay for love?
People are willing to pay for:
- Dating apps
- Matchmaking services
- Love coaching
Before a first date, some will spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars in pursuit of finding a partner. That may be worth it when nearly 70% of individuals who met someone on a dating app said it led to a romantic, exclusive relationship. In fact, individuals between ages 43 and 58 found the most success with online dating.
Romance Scams
When money doesn’t buy you love, you may have become victim to a scam. Losses to romance scams totaled a record $1.3 billion nationwide in 2022 — the latest year available — and it is now the top category of scams tracked by the Federal Trade Commission.
Scammers prey on those hopeful ones through the computer. Through the use of Facebook or popular dating apps they win the victim’s trust and affection. Then, just as smoothly, the come up with a terrible tale and a need for money. It isn’t unusual for one of these scam artists to be trapped overseas with an immediate and desperate need to leave. You can save them. They will love you forever. Please send money or buy some gift cards.
Many victims do not file complaints in these crimes and when they do, it is extremely difficult to successfully pursue charges in romance scam cases. Still, Romance scam losses topped $547 million three years ago, six times more than was recorded in 2017, surpassing all other Federal Trade Commission fraud categories, the agency reported. Federal records show romance scam cases totaled nearly 70,000 in 2022, the most recent data available.
In one case, about three years ago, a woman in her 70s believed “a person who wanted her to sell her belongings and send him the money and he was setting up housekeeping for the two of them” in California. The family intervened, and she was so upset about the possibility that this might not be true love that she saw a counselor to try to come to terms with it.
When it seemed clear that this was indeed a scam, she sought out our assistance. While there was no chance to recover funds lost, we did stop collection on debt brought about because of the months she spent supporting her man.
Sadly, post-bankruptcy discharge, she went back to being involved with the scammer and ended up selling her car, her furnishings and emptying her retirement account.
Avoid these scams. Stay connected to your friends and family that do love you.
If by chance you do become the victim, speak up! Don’t be embarrassed. You were taken advantage of by a criminal. Protect yourself and get back on track financially now.