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At VA, we are committed to monitoring fraud trends to identify new schemes and tactics that may affect Veterans and their beneficiaries. Romance and friendship scams have been recognized as a growing threat.A fraudster starts by targeting an online space, such as a dating app or social media platform. They create a fake profile, using images/name of an actual person, and connect with the victim through a friend request or message and begin communication. Fraudsters attempt to establish a quick relationship or friendship with the individual through friendly gestures and consistent messages. Once trust is gained, they will request money, personally identifiable information (PII), or other compromising information.How do scammers target Veterans? What are the warning signs? How can you tell if a profile is fake or misleading?First, pay attention to their messages and communication style. Are they overly flattering? Do they attempt to establish a relationship or friendship too fast? Fraudsters may make statements like, %u201cI know we just started talking last week, but I consider you to be one of my best friends, and I hope you feel the same.%u201dSecond, a fake profile may avoid video and phone calls or in-person meetings. They use excuses like a broken computer or phone camera or that they live far away. Another sign is if an online friend or love interest schedules in-person meetings or video calls but consistently cancels. If you haven%u2019t been able to confirm their identity, but they continue to message you, it could be a sign of fraud.Third, they request monetary assistance or ask for PII. Fraudsters can try to coerce you into sending money for a trip to meet them or to help with financial woes. Additionally, they might request PII that could be used to access your VA benefits or conduct identity fraud. A fraudster may say something like, \Can you send me your social security number or home address?\Fourth, an online user might ask for private photos or potentially comprising messages. Fraudsters can use this content to blackmail individuals into sending them payment or PII.What steps can you take to protect yourself?%u2022Trust your instincts.Fraudsters may be overly flattering or attempt to quickly establish a relationship or friendship. If your online interactions with a user seem too good to be true or feel disingenuous, cease communication immediately.%u2022Request a phone or video chat early. With online friends or love interests, ask to schedule a call after connecting to confirm they match their profile.