NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Romance is in the air but law enforcement and other organizations want to remind you not to get scammed this year.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation says consumers lost more than $230 million in so-called "romance scams” in 2016. They also say victims are often embarrassed to report this type of scam so the real numbers could be higher.
Now, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation doesn't want anyone to fall victim.
Often times scammers will work for weeks, months and sometimes even years to gain your trust. Then they will act like they have a dire emergency and need money fast – that's something with which the Better Business Bureau is all too familiar.
"We've seen them send them money, not just once but two or three times, because they feel very attached to this person. And, they feel like they know this person,” said Danielle Hale, with the BBB.
According to the TBI, it is difficult to get your money back in these situations. As a matter of fact, it can sometimes be impossible.
