It doesn’t have to be Valentine Day for seniors to be in love.
What can be more exciting, more exhilarating than meeting that new person at this stage of your life? The chance to have that new love of your life who wants nothing more than to share the rest of their life with you?
Sadly, romance scams are by far the cruelest. It preys on your heart. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Yes, meeting that someone special on those on-line senior dating sites can be wonderful – but besides your heart, make sure you use your brain.
Let’s be honest guys: no matter how fantastic you are; no matter how much you believe that you are god’s gift to women, do you really believe that you’re going to meet some Playboy model?
And to the women: do you really think you’re going to meet that handsome, dashing, hulk of a guy?
First and foremost, especially when looking for love on-line, you better double check that listed profile and photo. Is that really him or her?
And most importantly, Rule number 1 (and Rules 2-5): NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give him or her money. NEVER!
If they ask before you ever meet them it’s a scam. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS! No matter what “special” circumstances or stated emergency they claim, NEVER send or wire money to them. And that goes double for gift cards.
The Federal Trade Commission reported that Americans lost $1.14 billion dollars to romance schemes. And that’s only the reported claims. Anyone disagree that the true amount is higher and that many people (and especially seniors) were simply too embarrassed to admit that they were taken?
So what do you do? Listen to your brain and tell your heart to calm down.
Discuss you’re new soon-to-be soul-mate with a family member or trusted friend. Believe me, if they advise you that your potential new partner is a scam, it’s not out of jealousy; but of genuine concern for you.
And while it might break your heart to immediately stop communicating with that future “Mr. or Mrs. Perfect” better to mend your heart, than to empty your bank account.
