It's difficult for some people to understand how anyone falls for a Romance Scam. In this episode, Vicki explains how it happens and gives a real life example.

An older woman named Sue lost her husband of 40 years and began reminiscing about him--posting old vaction pictures and beautiful memories on Facebook. A scammer, pretending to be a widower too, send an encouraging note, telling her to stay strong and that while the pain never goes away, life gets better. Eventually, he won her over and they chatted several times a day. He told her that he was a hard-working widower from Eastern Europe, who was saving money to come to the US. By this time, she trusted him and sent him money when he asked.

In a recent article, Psychology Today wrote an article on the psychology of Romance Scams. They reported that people who fall for them are not gullible, stupid people with no critical thinking skills. They point out that when people are being romanced, emotions trigger dopamine and oxytocin. They truly feel like they're in love!

If you have a friend who is being taken in by the Romance Scam, show empathy and be patient. Point out discrepencies in what the romance scammer is saying. If you yourself are worried that someone is trying to draw you in with the Romance Scam, educate yourself about these types of scams. Talk to a trusted friend or family member and get their input.

If you'd like to report a scam or share your story on Scam Squad, call the FRAUD HOTLINE at 805-568-2442.

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