Romance scams: Unmasking the link between love bombing and your wallet

ATLANTA, Georgia — In the latest episode of ‘Nothing But a Number,’ we embarked on an eye-opening exploration into the duplicitous world of romance scams. Hosted by Senior Associate State Director of Advocacy and Outreach at AARP Georgia, Hilary Williams Thomas, this episode features a compelling conversation with Kate Kleinart, a brave survivor of a romance scam.

Kleinhart’s story is both heartbreaking and enlightening, shedding light on some of the tactics used by online fraudsters to exploit vulnerable individuals seeking love and companionship.

“At first, I was skeptical,” Kleinhart said. “But then, his words and gestures seemed so genuine. I never imagined I could fall victim to a scam like this.”

[Watch the full episode on YouTube by clicking here]

She explains that she was not looking for a relationship and did not meet her eventual scammer on a dating website; she met him on Facebook.

“I don't know what it was about that day that I went ahead and pushed the accept button for the friendship. I never do that. But I did it that day and it certainly changed my life,” said Kleinhart.

Through Kleinhart’s journey, listeners discover the nature of romance scams, from the initial allure of a charming stranger to the gradual erosion of trust through deceitful pleas for money. Her unguarded account serves as a cautionary tale, reminding everyone to remain vigilant online, and that it can happen to anyone at any time.

“Be very careful. And if your gut is telling you something is wrong, listen to that,” said Kleinhart.

But amidst the darkness, there is hope. By sharing her story, Kleinhart empowers others to recognize the warning signs of romance scams and protect themselves from falling prey to similar schemes.

If you're intrigued by her journey and eager to learn more about the realities of romance scams, we invite you to tune in to the full episode on your preferred streaming platform. Join us as we uncover the possible facades of online romance and arm yourselves with knowledge to navigate the murky waters of online fraud safely.

Don't miss out on this compelling conversation. Listen to the episode now and take the first step toward safeguarding your heart and your wallet from the dangers of romance scams.