ROMANCE SCAMS- Romance Scams Turning into Friend Scams

You probably have heard about romance scams. That’s where someone contacts you through a dating app and strikes up a conversation. They might try to get you to communicate with them away from the app. They may also quickly declare their “love” for you. They often claim to be located in a remote area, such as the Middle East or Africa. After a while, they might ask you for money to help them out in some sort of emergency. Or for a plane ticket to meet you in person. They often find it hard to meet you in person, as much as they would like to.

A recent twist is that they say that they have been making a killing in crypto currency and would be very happy to share with you how they do it. In the end, the “relationship” revolves around money either to help the scammer out or to share the new wealth that both of you have accumulated.

Recently, this scenario has morphed from a Romance scam into a Friend scam. With a friend scam you might receive a text message from an unknown phone number. The message would look like the sender had sent the text to the wrong number. If you reply by saying something like “sorry, you have the wrong number,” the scammer keeps up communication with you. According to AARP this scam has been exploding since the summer of 2025.

At one point, and this might take several weeks or months, the scammer brings up their great success at investing in crypto currency, and they would be very happy to share their techniques with you.

Scammers in either a Romance scam or Friend scam look for targets through social media to find more well-off victims. Or they can use a shot gun approach by sending the same text message to hundreds of phone numbers.

Getting you to invest in crypto currency is perfect for the scammers because the transfer of money is instant, irreversible, and hard to trace (although there are some instances when it can be traced). The scammer, or scammers group, will have set up a fake trading web site that you will be steered to so that your investment can go into the scammer’s account. Also, the web site can show you fake investment numbers that appear to show the increase in your investment. The scammer might coach you very closely through each step in their “investment” process. Over time the scammer will encourage you to invest in larger amounts to “take full advantage of this investment opportunity.” When you decide to cash in on your investment, then that’s when the trouble begins. The scammer will start charging substantial withdrawal fees, fake taxes, etc. When you have figured out that this good deal is a scam the scammer and the web site all disappear with your money.

Anyone is a good target for this scam, no matter their age, education level, or profession.

·         Older adults are vulnerable because of their accumulated wealth and the potential that they are isolated.

·         People who are less tech savvy no matter their age or education are also vulnerable.

·         People who are financially savvy are good target if the scammer can “demonstrate” that he/she is financially savvy also.

·         Scammers can take advantage of people in emotional turmoil such as going through a divorce or who have lost a loved one.

If you find yourself in a situation like this, here are some red flags to look for,

• Communication

• The scammer wants to move to a private platform.
• The scammer avoids real time video, or they use short video clips.
• Photos they send you are too perfect.
• The scammer contacts you several times a day.

      ·     Behavioral

• They fall in love with you very quickly.
• They insist on secrecy.
• They proclaim that “we are a team.”

• Financial

• They offer to teach you to invest.
• They move to crypto very quickly.
• They guide you to a specific app or website.

 

 If you detect one or two of the above behaviors, slow down and pause:

·         Do some research.

o   Do a reverse image search on any photos the scammer has sent you.

o   Look up the investment platform independently. For example, do a web search on the name of the platform with the word “scam,” “fraud,’ or “crime.”

o   Talk to a friend or a trusted financial advisor about the investment.

·         Insist on a real time video call.

If you have not met this person in person, DO NOT send money in any form!!!!!

If you suspect this to be a scam, report it to,

·         Federal Trade Commission- .https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

·         FBI-  https://www.ic3.gov/

·         Your bank

·         The crypto exchange

Scammers are always changing the way they operate. They find more effective methods to victimize people. While it may seem complicated and confusing, scammers are after the same thing in any of their scams; your money and/or your identity to steal your money. And they want you to act emotionally without researching or asking trusted family members or friends.

 

AARP webinar on Romance and Friendship scams:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LolZG7Wfrxw

 

AARP:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/affinity-fraud/?msockid=1ccaa3490741631714d9b3fb03416160

 

National Cybersecurity Alliance:

https://www.staysafeonline.org/articles/online-romance-scams

https://www.staysafeonline.org/events/why-romance-scams-work-how-to-protect-yourself-and-others

 

Ask Leo:

https://askleo.com/romance-scams-when-loneliness-makes-us-vulnerable/

 

OPIOIDS- New Drug Treatment Hotline

Earlier this year, the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) expanded its Telebuprenorphone (Telebupe) Hotline statewide. The hotline helps people suffering from withdrawal due to Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with Buprenorphine (also known as Suboxone).

While deaths due to opioid overdose have declined, opioid deaths in Washington State are still above the opioid death rate in the U.S. as a whole. As a result, WSDOH has partnered with the University of Washington Emergency Medicine to expand a pilot program that started in King County to provide rapid, short-term access to Buprenorphine statewide.

Washington State Opioid Deaths:

2019	828
2020	1,194
2021	1,619
2022	2,048
2023	2,819
2024	2,489

 

The goal of this service is to reduce opioid deaths by providing short-term support that stabilizes withdrawal symptoms, then the service offers longer-term care to providers within the caller’s community

Someone, aged 13 years old or older, in need of Buprenorphine can call the hotline at 206-289-0287, 7 days a week between 9:00am and 9:00pm. Callers first speak with a linkage-to-care coordinator who is familiar with local clinics and resources who will ask a few questions. Then the caller will talk to a UW Emergency physician. If the physician determines that a medication is appropriate a prescription will be sent to a pharmacy of the caller’s choice. Within 72 hours, a Linkage to Care Coordinator will check in on the callers and offer resources for ongoing Medicated Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) care. If you call outside of the hotline’s work hours, you can leave a voicemail, and someone will return your call the next day.

The Tele visit is not billed, but patients need to pay for prescribed medications. If you do not have insurance, the hotline can provide coupons to help with the cost of the medication as much as possible.

.

For more information about the Telebupe Hotline check out the following links.

 

University of Washington Emergency Medicine:

https://em.uw.edu/sections/population-health/wa-telebuprenorphine-program

 

Washington State Department of Health:

https://doh.wa.gov/newsroom/washington-state-expands-same-day-support-opioid-use-disorder

 

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/wa-expands-drug-treatment-hotline-for-buprenorphine-statewide/

 

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Situational Crime Prevention

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office's latest issue of the "Partners in Crime Prevention" newsletter notes that burglaries were the number one property crime in 2025. Learn how you can protect your property at home with Situational Crime Prevention.

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7406

 

NORTHWEST FLOODING- Looting Reported in Snohomish Area

The local press quotes the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office as reporting looting in a flooded area in the vicinity of Marsh Road and Lowell Larimer Road in the Snohomish area. On Saturday, December 13, a local homeowner reported that on checking on their property they found that items had been stolen and property vandalized. The homeowner was able to contact kayakers who were in the closed area and recovered their property. The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this incident.

Securing your property during a natural emergency such as a flood can be difficult. Prior burglary planning and actions can help to secure your property in case you need to leave for your safety. Having deadbolt locks on your exterior doors, locks on your windows, can help secure your home during a natural disaster as well as during more normal times. Security cameras and exterior lighting can also help, especially if your home still has electricity. Having an inventory of your valuables with photos, descriptions, and serial numbers can help recover stolen property. And photos of each of your rooms can show your property in good condition for theft recovery and will help you with your insurance claim.

If you need to evacuate your home during a natural disaster, be sure that your valuables are locked in a safe or locking file cabinet. Also, be sure to include a copy of your property inventory in your Go Bag. And before you leave, lock your house as best you can.

 

My Everett News:

https://myeverettnews.com/2025/12/15/deputies-respond-to-looting-in-flooded-areas-in-snohomish-county/ 

 

KING TV:

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/looters-kayaks-target-flooded-snohomish-farm-historic-flooding-continues/281-3fdd07bc-1cbb-46d6-ace1-0b0dbc85bbe2

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/443/Residential-Burglary-PDF

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7319

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/441/Operation-Identification-PDF

 

 

NORTHWEST FLOODING- Recovering Without Getting Scammed

If your property has suffered flood damage, you are faced with cleanup, repairs, insurance claims, etc. You may need financial help and help from contractors to get your life back to what it was before the flood. Recovery after any disaster is a prime time for scammers to pounce.

Scammers can pretend to be anyone claiming to help you,

·         Fake contractors use high pressure tactics, asking for money up front or for insurance payments to be signed over to them. If they do work, it is shoddy. Many times, they take your money and disappear.

·         Scammers can pretend to be from the government, utilities, or insurance companies promising government grants, building permits, help to speed up insurance claims, or help to give you priority to reconnect you to electricity for a fee. Legitimate government, utility, or insurance employees will not ask for funds.

To protect yourself be sure to

·         Prepare in advance. Know what your insurance covers.

·         Before hiring a contractor, check them out. If a contractor shows up unsolicited, check the business name, phone number, and state contractor license number on their vehicle. Look up any contractor you are considering hiring, on the Washington State Labor and Industries web site-  https://www.lni.wa.gov/. You can also check any local business out with the Better Business Bureau at https://www.bbb.org/.

·         Check with your insurer before beginning any repairs to ensure that they will be covered and if the insurer has a preferred contractor.

·         Make sure you are working with genuine insurance agents. Check the license of anyone representing themselves as from an insurance company, including insurance adjusters with the Washington State Insurance Commissioner- https://www.insurance.wa.gov/.

·         Confirm that FEMA representatives are legitimate. FEMA agents do knock on doors to offer assistance. Ask to see their government-issued laminated photo badge.

If you are a victim of fraud while recovering from a disaster contact

·         The FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline- (866) 720-5721

·         FEMA’s Office of the Chief Security Officer- (866) 223-0814 or Tipline@fema.dhs.gov

·         FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center- IC3.gov

·         Washington State Attorney General’s Office- https://www.atg.wa.gov/

Following are resources to help you with your recovery from a flood.

 

Guidance for flood recovery-

 

Snohomish County:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/796/Flood-Information-Center

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/992/Tips---After-a-Flood

 

King County:

https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/flood-services/be-ready/flood-preparedness

https://flood.kingcounty.gov/

 

Washington State:

https://dfi.wa.gov/flood-resources

 

Ready.gov-

https://www.ready.gov/floods

 

KIRO TV-

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/what-do-if-you-find-mold-your-home-after-flood/2MWFLW6BOBA6DNZEKZKIVD47UY/

 

The Seattle Times:

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/wa-floods-tips-to-keep-you-safe-when-you-return-to-clean-your-property/

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/wa-flood-cleanup-guide-tips-for-safely-cleaning-home-car/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=owned_echobox_tw_m&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1765721058

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/what-to-do-with-flood-debris-in-western-wa/

 

 Here is more information on avoiding Disaster Scams-

 

AARP:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/disaster/

 

FEMA:

https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250807/protect-your-identity-be-alert-fraud-and-scams-after-disaster

https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/myth-or-fact-misinformation-about-fema-disaster-assistance-can-hinder-recovery

https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/security/disaster-fraud

 

Federal Trade Commission:

https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/dealing-weather-emergencies

 

Better Business Bureau:

https://www.bbb.org/all/natural-disasters

 

 

NORTHWEST FLOODING- How to Help Without Getting Scammed

With the flooding going on in parts of the Pacific Northwest, you may feel motivated to donate to a charity to give support to those in need of help.

Local charities probably benefit the best with a monetary donation. Here are ways you can help flood victims in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties from The Seattle Times- https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/how-to-help-those-affected-by-wa-floods/.

If you hear about a charity to donate to first check them out with the Washington Secretary of State (SOS). SOS maintains a list of charities registered with it that you can search at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities/nonprofits-charities/charities/information-donors.

You can also look for reputable charities at,

·         Better Business Bureau, Give.org- https://give.org/

·         Charity Navigator- https://www.charitynavigator.org/

·         Charity Watch- https://www.charitywatch.org/

·         Candid- https://candid.org/

 

If you hear about a charity that you think you might want to donate to you can also do a web search with the charity’s name and the words “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” or “scam.”

Scammers may pretend to be a charity to collect/take your money and/or collect your personal information. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls or text messages asking for a donation. Two red flags to watch for include,

·         Pressure to give immediately. A legitimate charity will welcome your donation whenever you choose to make it.

·         A request for payment by cash, gift card or wire transfer. These are scammers’ favored payment methods because the money is easy to access and difficult to trace.

If you see an ad, receive a phone call, email, or text message soliciting donations resist the urge to give right away. Take a breath and do a little research before giving.

 

AARP:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/charity/

 

Federal Trade Commission:

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/11/give-charity-not-scam

 

National Cybersecurity Alliance:

https://www.staysafeonline.org/articles/how-to-avoid-charity-scams

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Christmas is coming and you will be out to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Here are some simple tips to follow while you do your holiday shopping.

In the Car

·         Don’t leave high-value items or shopping bags in plain sight. Even a few seconds is enough for a smash-and-grab.

·         Store bags in the trunk before you arrive at your next destination, not after you park.

·         Keep vehicles locked and windows fully closed, even if you’re stepping away for a moment.

·         Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas whenever possible.

·         Be aware of your surroundings. If something feels off, move to another spot or notify security.

Prevent Package & Porch Theft

·         With holiday shipping in full swing, porch pirates are more active too. A few preventative measures can help:

·         Track packages and set delivery alerts so you know when they arrive.

·         Bring deliveries inside as soon as possible.

·         Use secure delivery options like:

o   Lockers / pickup locations

o   Deliver to work (if allowed)

·         Ask a trusted neighbor to grab it

·         Install a doorbell or security camera, even visible cameras can deter thieves.

·         Avoid leaving boxes visible outdoors. Break them down and conceal high-value packaging.

 

 

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7325

 

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7325