Summary
- Doctors at the University of Chicago have posited that loneliness “is a risk factor for, and may contribute to, poorer overall cognitive performance.”
- The FBI has a checklist of ways to protect yourself from romance scams.
Voice of Experience
A Romance Scam
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In recognition of Valentine’s Day, Voice of Experience is launching its new “Scam of the Month” feature in a spirit of romance. Speaking of roses …
The Scam
Casey’s first exposure to Aubrey occurred in an online horticulture chatroom. Casey was an amateur gardener. Aubrey gave every appearance of being an even more amateur gardener and soon professed to be green with envy over Casey’s far greener thumb. Soon thereafter, a relationship rooted in their mutual hobby blossomed into something more intimate. Faced with Aubrey’s increasingly insistent declarations of love, Casey’s resistance soon wilted.
Still feeling isolated well over a decade since a life partner’s tragic demise and once seemingly destined to live out life alone, Casey was now giddy with excitement. Dreams were shared. Promises were made. A joint checking account was established to fund a luxury cruise around the world. Aubrey’s own ship was about to come in, so until then, could Casey deposit the cost for both tickets … some money for two new wardrobes … and a downpayment on the condo (replete, of course, with its own extensive garden) they’d share once they returned?
Who Falls Prey to These Scams?
Is it the moral of this passion play that our amateur gardener was a dim bulb? No, although doctors at the University of Chicago have posited that loneliness “is a risk factor for, and may contribute to poorer overall cognitive performance.” Far more to the point, University of Texas researcher Rebecca Cole has identified “a medium-strength relationship between age and ORS [online romance scam] money loss,” while the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that in 2020, “older adults reported losing about $139 million to romance scams—the highest total reported loss of any scam category.”
How Can These Scams Be Prevented?
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), measures to prevent romance scams include:
- Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
- Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches to see if the image, name, or details have been used elsewhere.
- Go slowly and ask lots of questions.
- Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
- Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.
- Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but then always comes up with an excuse why he or she can’t. If you haven’t met the person after a few months, you have good reason to be suspicious.
- Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone.
Please let us know other types of scams you’d like us to feature.
The Voice of Experience has decided to publish a “scam of the month.” The editors want to solicit examples of scams from the membership. If you have been exposed to a scam personally or made aware of one, please write it up for us and send it to Jeffrey Allen at [email protected]. This will be a continuing column, so please keep this on the top of your pile of work if you encounter a scam. If you want credit for it, let us know. Please let us know if you want to remain anonymous, and we will not disclose your identity. We want the pieces to be 500-750 words in Word format. We will work with whatever you send us. If you have questions, email Jeffrey Allen at the email address above.
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