Keep money out of a new online romance. Do not send funds or gifts to someone you have not met, or invest through a link a match sends you.
Wanting affection or companionship after 50 is ordinary. So is feeling hopeful about a new connection. A scammer is responsible for exploiting that trust. You can take a step back without proving the whole story false.
Look at the request behind the story
Repeated reasons they cannot meet, sudden emergencies, and intense affection followed by a request for money are warning signs. Read the exchange back as a request from a stranger rather than as a promise from a future partner.
Make money a firm boundary
Do not pay an online love interest by gift card, wire, payment app, or cryptocurrency. Medical bills, travel costs, and investment opportunities are common stories. A relationship does not make an unfamiliar payment or trading site trustworthy.
Get another perspective
Stop replying and speak to someone you trust. A reverse image search may reveal a reused photo; finding nothing does not verify a person. A convincing profile, a call, or a badge is not a reason to relax a financial boundary.
Step away and report
If you suspect a scam, stop contact and report the account to the dating service and ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Keep messages and payment details for a report. You do not need to confront the person or keep communicating to collect more evidence.
If you paid, ask for help promptly
Contact your bank or the service used to send the payment immediately. Explain that you suspect fraud and ask whether it can be reversed. Recovery is not guaranteed. If you shared identity information, IdentityTheft.gov can help you make a recovery plan.
Decide on your money boundary before you need it. For example: “I do not send money to people I meet through dating apps.” You do not need to soften it to keep someone interested.
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Check the sources
Further reading behind this guide. These organizations do not endorse this website.
