How to avoid the most common Valentines Day scams

Valentine's Day is prime time for scammers. However, you can ensure your February 14th goes smoothly by avoiding these scams.

Table of Contents

• Online Romance Fraud (Catfish)
• E-card scam
• Fake online flower or gift shops
• Message from "secret admirer"
• Fake gift cards or coupons
• Tips for avoiding Valentine's Day scams

Online Romance Fraud (Catfish)

Scammers create fake online dating profiles or social media personas using stolen photos and fabricated stories. Once they gain the victim's trust, they fabricate emergencies — like unexpected medical bills, the cost of a flight to visit, or other pressing financial needs — and ask for money.

• They claim to be domestic but are currently "traveling abroad" or working abroad.
• Avoid video chats or face-to-face meetings that become emotionally stressful very quickly.
• They constantly ask for money or gift cards, usually for "urgent" reasons.

Anytime you receive an urgent request to send cash to someone, that's a big red flag and an indication that a scam is taking place.

E-card scam

Around Valentine's Day, you may receive an email or text message inviting you to receive an e-card from a "fan." In some cases, these are scam emails that contain malware or links to malicious websites.

One way to spot these scams is poor grammar and spelling, although AI chatbots have made this less effective. Another telltale sign of a scam is that there is no specific sender and the gift or e-card contains a link to a random website. Unfortunately, AI scams are everywhere, but you can spot them with a little effort.

Fake online flower or gift shops

Scammers set up fraudulent websites offering great discounts on popular Valentine’s Day items like flowers, chocolates or jewelry. They take payment but never deliver the product or the item is of much lower quality than promised.

Be wary of extremely low prices that seem too good to be true. Scammers know that most people can’t resist the lure of a great deal. Another sign that you’re dealing with a fake flower or gift shop is the lack of contact information or a physical address.

Message from "secret admirer"

You may receive a text message, social media direct message, or email claiming to have a “secret admirer.” The scammer asks you to “confirm your identity” or “click a link to view the message.” Doing so could install malware or take you to a fake website that steals personal data. Phishing messages and emails are one of the most common types of scams.

Similar to fake e-cards, unsolicited requests for personal information like your name, address, or financial information are a big red flag. Likewise, anything with a suspicious link, unusual domain name, or shortened URL could indicate that you're being pushed to a phishing site.

Fake gift cards or coupons

Scammers sell fake gift cards or coupon codes — often through online marketplaces or social media ads — at a discount. You buy one and think you’ve got a great deal, only to find out it’s worthless when you redeem it. Or, you send a gift card to a loved one as a lovely Valentine’s Day gesture, only to find it’s useless.

As with florists and other fake gift sites, steep discounts are always a telltale sign. Sure, there are some sites that offer steep discounts. But they’re rare, especially on expensive items. For example, why would someone sell a brand new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for half price a few weeks after its February 2025 launch?

Tips for avoiding Valentine's Day scams

While Valentine's Day comes with an increase in romance scams, much of the advice on how to avoid them remains the same. That is, these tips are universal and will help you avoid scams all the time, not just on Valentine's Day.

• Verify Identity : If you just met someone online, ask for a video chat or phone call. Find out why they can't show their face or meet in person.
• Be skeptical : If someone you've just started chatting with online suddenly has a financial emergency, that's a big red flag. Never send money or gift cards to someone you've never met in person. Even if you have, make sure you really know the person before sending money.
• Double-check the URL : When buying a gift or sending an e-card, make sure the website address starts with " HTTPS " and that the site name is spelled correctly. Look for authentication marks and read reviews from other customers. Consider using a URL security checker to quickly scan for problems.
• Use secure payment methods : Avoid paying for flowers, gifts, or anything else by direct transfer. It is safer to use a debit or credit card or a reputable payment service.
• Ignore Unwanted Links or Attachments : Don't click on strange Valentine's Day e-card links or open attachments from unknown senders. First, scan any suspicious attachments or links with your antivirus software.
• Research Before Donating : If you come across a romance-themed charity appeal, research the organization. Check the official website and confirm legitimacy on recognized charity monitoring sites.
• Take it slow and easy : Scammers love to rush you. Don't let anyone pressure you into making a quick financial decision. Genuine offers and sincere friends or partners will respect your caution.

Trust your intuition when in doubt - if something "doesn't feel right", it's better to be cautious.