On Line Dating Scam: What You See Is Not What You Get

According to the Federal Trade Commission, for the eighth year in a row identity theft tops the list as the number one consumer complaint. Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information in order to gain access to your finances or just use your information as jumping off point to open new lines of credit and go on spending sprees.  When all is said and done the bills that they accumulated land right on your front door.  

There is a strong connection between identity theft and online dating scams. Not so much opening up financial accounts in your name (although if scammers can do that they will) but to use a key piece of your private information to con money from on line dating participants. It's the stealing of someone's photo.  

There are tons of photos online. Not avatars that we choose as stand-ins but actual photos of people with friends, family, their pets or by themselves. No surprise there, particularly with the internet becoming a more social environment. Whether instant messaging or joining a shared network, people want to connect with the person behind the keyboard. It also helps when doing business on line to see the actual face of the person attempting to sell you the product.  This move towards a more interactive and personal cyberspace is becoming a windfall for the scam artists.  

According to the non profit organization, the National Consumer League, scams of the heart rank as one of the top ten swindles on the internet. Victims on average usually get fleeced to the tune of three thousand dollars.   

These scammers have learned to not only steal photos but modify them. This can be done by photoshopping which if done effectively can alter the picture while still making it look original and untouched.  Once scammers have secured a picture that they are sure will get their victims heart to racing then it's time for the sweet talk.   

Mary Leal a criminal justice expert told CBS' The Early Show, "It is so easy to get sucked in; especially if you are vulnerable and you're willingly to allow it to come into your life. And then once you're hooked it's like an addiction."

We all should know better but playing on someone's emotions is a powerful weapon. In the hands of a professional it can be overwhelming. Therefore it is vital to occasionally take a step back and examine what's happening.    

While there may be a number of clues such as poor grammar or way too much sugar talk, the absolute obvious sign is that somewhere down the line the conversation will turn to money; whether in the form of a hard luck story or requiring your "assistance" in transferring currency. 

Identity theft and online dating scams in the give the appearance of  running on separate tracks but in reality it is all comes down to the same thing; get money from your pocket into theirs.