Romance scams

What is a romance scam?

Romance scams (also known as relationship or dating scams) target people looking for new friendship or love. Scammers use social media, instant messaging apps, dating or gaming apps or email to quickly build trust with the ultimate goal of stealing funds or making the victim participate in money laundering. Scammers often claim to be from Australia but will often describe themselves as travelling or working overseas. Money sent to scammers is often not possible to recover.

Example of a romance scam

You meet someone through a dating app or social media. They seem friendly, attentive and interested in getting to know you. After building a relationship over several weeks, they say they’re facing an unexpected financial problem and urgently need help.

They may ask you to send money, pay a bill, buy gift cards or transfer money on their behalf. They promise to repay you or suggest that helping them is a sign that you can trust each other.

In reality, the person may be using a fake identity and manipulating you into sending money. Once you send it, they may ask for more or disappear completely.

How to spot a romance scam

• Once they’ve established consistent contact, scammers will express strong emotions for you in a short period of time. 
• They will suggest you move the relationship away from the website or app to phone, email or instant messaging. 
• They may encourage you keep the relationship a secret or attempt to isolate you from friends and family. 
• Once they’ve gained your trust, they will ask you (either subtly or directly) for money, gifts or banking or credit card details. They will build a believable story to persuade you into meeting their request, such as a personal or family emergency. 
• You’re asked to send money to another bank account, either locally or overseas. 
• You are asked for personal photos, videos or information they could use against you in the future. 
• If you decline to send funds or meet the scammers’ requests, they may become desperate or hostile.

Tips to protect yourself from a romance scam

Never agree to receive and transfer money for someone else.  This could be money laundering which is a criminal offence.

If the person asks for money or financial support, they are likely a scammer. Stop all contact and find support from someone you trust. 

Take things slowly, ask lots of questions and watch for inconsistencies in their story. Always consider that you might be dealing with a scammer. 

Be careful what you share about yourself both in conversations and online. Scammers can use information they find to target you.

How to report a scam

If you have been contacted by a scammer posing as People First Bank, or you believe that a scammer has access to your banking information, please call us ASAP on 13 11 82.

It’s also important to report any scam calls you receive to Scamwatch after you have spoken to People First Bank.

Keeping our customers’ banking safe is a top priority, which is why we have a number of measures in place to assist customers with how to prevent scams. For more information on People First Bank's anti-fraud measures, please visit our fraud and scams hub.