Concept of romantic love, winter weather. Hands in gloves holding a knit heart.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is ripe for scams -- whether you're buying a gift for your sweetheart or avoiding catfishing schemes while looking for someone new.

If you are looking for a gift or looking for a date, let BBB help you do it safely and outsmart scammers.

Prepare

Hand holding heart

BBB Scam Alert: Top Valentine’s Day scams

As you prepare to celebrate, there are few common scams that you need to be aware of. Whether you’re hoping to spark a new relationship or buying gifts for loved ones, beware of these three scams regularly reported to BBB.

Read the top Valentine's Day scams
woman arranging flowers

Flowers are a very traditional Valentine's Day gift. BBB has tips to help you find a good florist.

woman at jewelry shop.

Looking to put a ring on it?

Girl hand take red heart at laptop keyboard for social online love chat and sharing encouragement over internet to fight Covid-19 virus together.

If you're looking for gifts online, shop safely and avoid scams this Valentine's Day (and every day!).

Beware

Scam Tracker

Help us investigate and warn others by reporting what you know about romance scams.

How scammers use impersonation, blackmail, and trickery to steal from unsuspecting daters

This study looks at the inner workings of online romance scams and helps potential targets and reputable dating services avoid this widespread and devastating fraud

Fall in love, go to jail

BBB Report on How Some Romance Fraud Victims Become Money Mules

Illustration of a long shadow heart with a bitcoin sign.
BBB Scam Alert: Swiping right on Tinder? Watch out for cryptocurrency scams

Cryptocurrency scams are targeting people on popular dating sites and apps. Don't let your quest for love blind you to red flags.

Person writing "Romance Scam" on piece of paper next to a mug of coffee
Romance scam promises a “sugar momma”

If someone is offering to become your “sugar momma” (or “sugar daddy") and pay your bills, it's probably a scam to trick you out of money.

keyboard with heart in a trap
Looking for love? Don't fall for a fake dating website

If you're looking for a new love for Valentine's Day, be careful -- in this romance scheme, it’s the entire dating website that’s a sham.

red heart shown against white keyboard
Scam Alert: This romance scam tricks victims into laundering money

Scammers are using people to funnel stolen money out of the country. 

Sending I love you text message with mobile phone. Online dating, texting or catfishing concept. Romance fraud, scam or deceit with smartphone. Man writing comment.
Romance scams

The specifics may change, but here are some basic tips you can use to protect yourself against a variety of romance scams.