Valentine's Day (February 14) is not only an occasion to express feelings through gifts, messages and romantic dates, but also the peak season for online scams.
Taking advantage of emotions, trust and time pressure, many bad actors seek to embezzle money and personal data of users.
Below are common tricks that scammers can use:
Emotional fraud
Subjects often approach victims through dating apps or social networks, quickly showing deep concern and building trust.
Then, they find ways to switch the conversation to private channels, avoiding face-to-face meetings or video calls.
When they have won sympathy, scammers cite emergency situations such as accidents, investment, or financial difficulties to ask for money, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies.
The important principle is not to deposit money or share financial information with people you have never met directly and clearly verify your identity.
Fake gift or flower delivery messages
Users may receive notifications that they are about to receive a gift and need to click on the link to confirm the address or pay a small fee.
These links often lead to fake websites, designed to steal personal information or bank data.
If you do not order or do not expect to receive a gift, skip text messages. Reputable delivery units do not require providing sensitive information via text messages or unofficial emails.
Fake Valentine shopping website
Thieves create websites selling jewelry, chocolate, perfume or gifts at attractive prices, with a commitment to fast delivery before February 14.
However, after payment, buyers may not receive goods, or receive poor quality products with incorrect descriptions.
Before shopping, consumers should check reviews from independent sources, verify contact addresses and prioritize platforms with clear exchange and refund policies.
Scamming to win Valentine's gifts
This scam method often appears in the form of posts or messages on social networks, notifying users that they have won a trip, romantic dinner or valuable gifts.
To receive a reward, victims are required to provide personal information, share articles or pay a processing fee.
In fact, this is a trick to collect data or steal money. If you don't participate in any programs, don't believe in unexpected winning announcements.
Impersonating relatives, friends or brands
Bad guys can impersonate acquaintances to ask for emergency support, or impersonate big brands to lure users to buy gift cards.
When you receive an unusual request, check again by calling directly or verifying through another channel before transferring money or providing information.
In Valentine's season, alertness and caution are the most important shield. Avoiding making hasty decisions, always checking information sources and protecting personal data will help users limit risks and enjoy the holiday safely and completely.
