Romance Scams in 2026: What to Know Before Trust Turns Costly

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By

Jenny Leight

March 4, 2026

Online dating has changed a lot in recent years, and not just because of new apps or algorithms. Artificial intelligence is transforming how people connect, communicate, and, unfortunately, how scams happen.

In 2024, an estimated nearly 59,000 Americans reported falling victim to romance scams, resulting in roughly $697 million in losses — an amount that likely undercounts the true harm, since many people never report these crimes.

Today’s romance scams don’t look like obvious cons. They often feel thoughtful, emotionally intelligent, and very real. Understanding how they work can help you protect both your heart and your finances without giving up on connection altogether.

Why Romance Scams Are Harder to Spot Now

According to research cited by Norton, nearly half of current online daters in the U.S. report being targeted by a dating scam, and many of those targets end up losing money.

What’s changed is how these scams operate. AI allows scammers to:

• Create convincing profiles using generated photos
• Write messages that sound warm, attentive, and personal
• Mirror emotions, remember details, and build trust over time

These scams don’t rely on technical tricks. They rely on emotional momentum.

How Romance Scams Usually Unfold

Most romance scams follow a predictable pattern designed to build closeness quickly and reduce outside influence.

1. A friendly introduction It often starts on a dating app or social platform with light conversation and compliments.

2. Rapid emotional connection Feelings escalate quickly, sometimes called “love bombing.” You may hear things like “I’ve never felt this close to anyone,” “You're my soulmate,” or “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you” in early conversations.

3. Consistent bonding Daily messages, long conversations, and personal stories help establish trust. Scammers often mirror your language, values, and emotions, remember small details you’ve mentioned, and maintain near-constant availability. This steady, attentive presence can feel reassuring, but it’s also designed to create emotional reliance before any real-world verification happens.

4. Subtle isolation Rather than asking you to cut off friends or family outright, scammers often frame secrecy as something romantic or protective. They may suggest keeping the relationship “just between us,” downplay concerns raised by loved ones, or imply that others wouldn’t understand your connection. Over time, this limits outside perspective, removing the reality checks that could help spot inconsistencies or slow things down.

5. A financial request Eventually, money enters the conversation. It may sound temporary or urgent: an emergency, an investment opportunity, or help covering a fee. Requests often involve gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers. Once this stage begins, pressure tends to increase quickly.

How to Protect Yourself Without Giving Up on Dating

You don’t need to avoid online dating to stay safe. A few smart habits can make a big difference:

• Verify early. Ask for a real-time video chat within the first few days. During the call, try a simple, in-the-moment request like asking them to turn their head, wave, or show something nearby (a window, a book, or their pet). Real people can do this easily; AI-generated or recorded videos often can’t.

• Don’t rely on just one video call. Scammers may manage one convincing interaction. Multiple short, casual video calls over time make it much harder to fake consistency.

• Don’t mix romance and money. Legitimate partners don’t ask for financial help early on, and they don’t introduce crypto, investing platforms, or “temporary” money needs.

• Guard personal information. Avoid sharing your home address, workplace, daily routines, banking details, or verification codes. Even small details can be used to build trust or impersonate you later.

• Watch for emotional acceleration. If feelings escalate unusually fast or the relationship feels intense before you’ve met, pause. Genuine connections grow over time.

• Talk to someone you trust. Sharing screenshots or summaries with a friend or family member can help spot inconsistencies you might miss when you’re emotionally invested.

Learn more about How to Protect your Parents from Romance Scams

How Carefull Can Help

Romance scams often rely on urgency, secrecy, and emotional pressure—making it hard to slow down or see red flags clearly in the moment.

Carefull adds an extra layer of protection by looking out for unusual financial activity, surfacing early warning signs, and giving you access to real people when something doesn’t feel right. Whether it’s a small charge, an unfamiliar payment request, or a moment of uncertainty, Carefull helps you pause, get clarity, and act before a situation escalates. You can try Carefull for free for 30 days.

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Jenny Leight

Jenny Leight supports Business Development & Strategy at Carefull, the first financial safety platform designed to protect aging adults and their families from elder fraud, scams, and money mistakes.