Nearly a third (28%) of relationships now begin online, with EE’s study finding people share an average of 155 messages with other singles before meeting up in person. Online dating has opened exciting new options for singles, but also a novel channel for criminals hunting for new ways to defraud their victims. One in ten (11%) people on the dating scene today now report that they have been targeted by a coordinated romance scam, with one in five losing an average of £2,500 as a result.
Are you at risk?
Millions more are at risk. Nine in ten (93%) people actively looking for love have shared sensitive information such as phone number (65%), location (51%), social media profile (35%), email address (27%), or date of birth (23%) with strangers met online before they’ve had a chance to meet in person. One in three (34%) have experienced suspicious behaviour, while one in six (15%) have been asked flat out for money.
“Scammers are experts at preying on the vulnerable. At this time of year, when social media is full of public displays of affection, it can be tempting to turn a blind eye to the red flags, but spotting them is more important than ever.”
Richard Wainer, Regulatory Affairs Director at EE
EE blocked 12 million scam texts last February, well above the monthly average of 8.9 million over the past year, and is expecting this February to be another busy month for its scam defences. As a leading proponent of online safety, EE is actively working to protect its customers from the dangers of romance scams. It offers a range of services designed to help customers stay safe online, from blocking millions of suspicious calls, texts and emails every month, to offering advanced fraud protection tools such as Scam Guard. Its anti-spam filter has blocked almost half a billion (419million) text messages since it launched in 2021.
Top red flags in the eyes of daters:
1. Asking for money or gifts (64%)
2. Using urgent or emotional language (49%)
3. Avoiding video calls or in-person meetings (41%)
4. Telling a sob story to evoke pity (31%)
5. Giving inconsistent answers (24%)
6. Dodging personal questions (20%)
7. Showing off, or promising the world (12%)
8. Asking overly personal questions (11%)
As the UK’s leading provider of mobile services, EE is taking proactive steps to help its customers stay safe online. The company offers a variety of tools and resources to safeguard against digital threats, including fraud protection services and helpful tips on how to avoid romance scams. For more information about how EE is protecting customers from romance scams or for tips on online safety, visit https://ee.co.uk/help/cyber-security/getting-started/avoid-and-prevent-scams.
