This year, we are running news and advice from the NHW Scheme and Camber’s newly-formed Community Speed Watch, funded by the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner. If you join the NHW Scheme, you can receive weekly emails updating you with advice to help keep you safe from crime and news about crimes committed – and solved – in the locality.
We hope you received at least one Valentine on 14th February! As nice as it is to be admired, when love appears to be in the air, you still have to be on your guard – for what is labelled ‘Romance Fraud’!
Romance fraud is when scammers use an apparent (but fake) romantic connection or relationship to lure their victims into a false sense of security, before tricking them into giving them money, or information which helps them steal money from them. If the scammer successfully persuades their victim to lend or give them money, they will usually come back with further reasons for needing more. Sometimes, the victim is asked to pass money from another country through their account – this could be money laundering.
Spotting the signs – People who have fallen victim to romance scams tend to report the same pattern. If you or someone you know is using online dating or friendship sites and sees any of these signs, it may indicate you or they are being scammed:
- The scammer asks you a lot of questions about yourself without saying much about themselves in return
- The discussion is friendly at first but turns romantic very quickly
- Their story, or parts of it, change over time and become inconsistent
- They refuse to video call you, or meet in person
- Eventually, the scammer asks you to lend them money
What can you do to protect against romance fraud? – Despite the prevalence of online romance scams and fraud, it doesn’t mean that you have to stop using dating sites altogether. You just have to be aware that scammers do exist, and follow some simple rules to protect yourself online:
- If you’re using social media sites like Facebook, don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know
- Don’t give away too many personal details about yourself online
- Never send or receive money or give away your bank details to someone you’ve only met online
- Use reputable dating sites
To join the Camber Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, email our parish clerk, Angela, on clerk@camberparishcouncil.gov.uk
