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Social media is a great way to stay connected with friends and meet new people, but it can also open the door to those with less-than-honorable intentions. Increasingly, scammers are targeting individuals by pretending to form friendships – or even romantic relationships – online. They use kind words, shared interests, and emotional connections to build trust, only to exploit it later for financial gain or access to personal information.

These scams often begin innocently: a friend request from someone you don't know, but who seems to have mutual friends or an appealing profile. Or maybe you receive a text message that is meant for someone else, and you reply, telling them that they have the wrong number. The person then replies and strikes up a conversation with you. Over time, they’ll offer compliments and express deep interest in your life.

Once a bond is formed, the ask comes – maybe they are "stuck" somewhere out of the country (the story often involves being in a hospital) and need money right away. Or they somehow “accidentally” sent you money and need your account info to “reverse it.” Sometimes they ask for sensitive details like your date of birth or address, claiming it’s for a gift or to book travel for the two of you.

Some scammers have even become so sophisticated that they use deepfake technology – AI-generated videos or voice clips – to impersonate celebrities or other public figures. If someone claiming to be a famous person reaches out and wants to connect romantically or financially, it’s almost certainly a scam. These deepfakes can be incredibly convincing, but the goal is the same: gain your trust, then exploit it. You don’t need to steer clear of social media entirely, but having reasonable caution when looking at these situations can help you steer clear of financial loss and embarrassment.

To protect yourself, never send money or share account details, passwords or personal information with someone you've only met online. Be wary of anyone who moves the relationship quickly or refuses to meet in person or via video chat. If your friends or family raise concerns, don’t brush them off – often, those close to you can see red flags more clearly from the outside. Trust their instincts as well as your own.

If something feels off, take a step back. You can block or report suspicious users, and don’t hesitate to contact your financial institution directly if you’ve received a suspicious request involving your accounts.

Bonus Tip: Spot Fake Websites

Here’s a possible example: myconsumers.org. Scammers may try to trick you with links (especially in text messages) to fake or lookalike websites – such as myccu.org, myconsumers.com, consumerscu.org, or others that are spelled almost the same. Always double-check the web address before clicking, especially if the link came from a message or social media post. When in doubt, type the URL directly into your browser or bookmark the correct site.