The "Long Con": How to Spot and Avoid Romance Scams

We all want to believe in a "too-good-to-be-true" love story. Unfortunately, con artists know this, and they are increasingly using emotional manipulation to conduct romance scams. A romance scam occurs when a fraudster fakes romantic interest, building intense trust over weeks or months, only to eventually "weasel" their way into a victim's bank account.

At Ameris Bank, we regularly conduct fraud training with our team to help protect our customers from these devastating attacks. 

It Can Happen to Anyone

There is a common misconception that only certain people fall for these scams. However, data from Social Catfish shows that 75% of romance scam victims are college-educated. While fraudsters often prey on those who may be lonely—such as the elderly or those who have recently lost a spouse—intelligence has nothing to do with it. These are professional manipulators who know how to fulfill a desire for companionship before emptying a victim's account.

A Common Scenario: The "Foreign Girlfriend"

Imagine a customer coming into a branch, excited to wire $2,500 to a new girlfriend in Paris named "Bella." He’s never met her in person, and she claims her laptop camera is broken, so he has only seen pictures. She needs the money today to book a flight to visit him next week.

To a banker, this is a textbook romance scam. Here are the red flags we look for:
 

• The "Broken Camera" Excuse: Scammers avoid video calls because they don't match the stolen photos they are using.
• The Urgent Wire Request: Wiring money is like sending cash. Once it is sent, it is nearly impossible to get back.
• The "First Time" Meeting: The scammer creates an exciting reason to meet but requires the victim to pay for the travel.

How Ameris Bank Protects You

If you come to us with a request that feels out of the ordinary, our bankers are trained to ask questions—not to interrogate you, but to protect your hard-earned money. We might ask:
 

• "How did you connect with this person online?"
• "Are you being pressured to act quickly?"
• "If this is for a flight, can you book the ticket directly rather than wiring cash?"

Our policy is simple: If we believe you are being targeted by a scam, we may decline to process the wire. Our goal is to be your partner in growth, and that includes protecting you from fraud.

5 Fraud Prevention Tips to Remember

 

1. Does the request make sense? If someone you've never met is asking for thousands of dollars for a "emergency" or "travel," it is likely a scam.
2. Is it "Too Good to Be True"? If the person seems like a perfect match but always has an excuse for why they can't meet in person, be wary.
3. Don't share personal info. Honest organizations and legitimate partners will not ask for your Social Security number or bank login via text or email.
4. Wiring is Permanent. Treat a wire transfer like physical cash. If you wouldn't hand $2,500 to a stranger on the street, don't wire it to someone you haven't met.
5. Go with your gut. If something feels "off," stop the transaction and talk to a trusted friend, family member, or your local Ameris Banker.

At Ameris Bank, we value your trust more than any single transaction. If you ever feel you are being targeted by a romance scam, please contact us. Let’s protect your heart—and your bank account—together.


The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.