Meta shares tips on avoiding romance scams this Valentine

Romance scams are becoming more prevalent worldwide, so Meta posted an online advisory to help the public fight them.

The Facebook company says these involve scammers who woo victims via digital means to fool them into sharing money. 

READ: Scam Watch Pilipinas, CICC earn global cybersecurity award

Nowadays, these malicious individuals are becoming craftier, so the social media firm shares these tips to avoid being scammed:

How to avoid romance scams

First, you should beware of unsolicited messages. You may limit the people who may contact you by adjusting your Messenger, Instagram and Whatsapp settings.

Second, you should be paranoid, particularly when you receive messages from unfamiliar accounts. 

Verify their identities online by checking when the users made them or reverse image search their images. 

Perform a reverse image search with this guide.

Third, be skeptical whenever anyone requests personal information or money. 

Speak with trusted friends and family before sharing data or sending money via payment apps.

Besides these tips, Meta also shared the latest forms of romance scams: 

• Military impersonation: Romance scammers may pose as US military personnel, posting about “looking for love.” 
• Celebrity impersonation: Some resort to masquerading as popular Hollywood stars or reputable persons. 
• Fake match-making agencies: Meta found Kenya-linked scammers who target people in Africa. They promise relocation to a Western country for a future partner. 

The Philippines has also been cracking down on romance scams and other digital schemes. 

For example, Scam Watch Pilipinas Co-founder Jocel De Guzman reminds all Filipinos of these four key attitudes to avoid falling victim to scams:

• Magdamot (Be Stingy): “Always protect your personal information online and exercise your right to privacy,” De Guzman reminded the public.
• Magduda (Be Suspicious): Take time to verify online offers before sharing personal information. Also, be wary of those that seem “too good to be true.” 
• Mang-isnob (Ignore Suspicious Messages): Also known as “Be a Snob,” De Guzman reminds everyone to save important contact details in an address book. Consequently, they can avoid suspicious calls and messages easily.
• Magsumbong (Report): Scam Watch urges the public to report scam incidents. Recovering lost money is slim, but reporting provides information that helps authorities track down scam operations. 

Learn more about this cybersecurity campaign here.