varietypartnersonline

AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDDOI:AARPRESEARCHFebruary2019https://doi.
org/10.
26419/res.
00277.
001ONLINERELATIONSHIPSCAMS:PROTECTYOURHEARTANDYOURWALLETANAARPNATIONALSURVEYOFINTERNETUSERSAGES18+AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH2Introduction3KeyFindings4OnlineRelationships5TargetsandVictimsofRelationshipScams10VulnerabilitytoRelationshipScams15KnowledgeofOnlineScams23Implications26Methodology28Appendix31ContactInformation33TableofContentsAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH3IntroductiontotheSurveyThesheerubiquityoftheinternethasmanyAmericansshiftingtheirday-to-dayactivities,communicatingwithfamilyandfriends,andevenmeetingnewfriendsandromanticpartnerstoonlineplatforms.
[1],[2]Pewfoundthatuseofonlinedatingappstripledamongadultsages18to24tripledanddoubledforthoseages55to64between2013and2016.
[3]Withincreasedonlineuse,thereisahigherriskofscams,identitytheft,securitybreaches,andothertypesofcyberfraud.
Onlinedatingisnoexception.
AccordingtotheFederalTradeCommission,reportsofromancefraudtripledfrom2012to2016withreportedlossesamongvictimsin2016of$220million.
[4]Romancefraudoccurswhenoneperson(theperpetrator)intentionallydeceivesanother(thetarget)intobelievingthatatrustingromanticorfriendlyrelationshipisdeveloping,inordertousethattrusttorobthetargetoftheirfinances.
Intheend,thetargetedpersonbecomesavictimbecausetheywerepersuadedtoactuallysendmoney,otherfinancialassistance,orvaluableitemstotheperpetratorinreturnforfalsepromisesofreunions,reimbursement,orlifetimecommitments.
Onlinerelationshipscammersusedatingsites,apps,chatrooms,andsocialmediatotargetandmeettheirpotentialvictims.
Theyoftencreatefakeprofilestobuildtheironlinerelationships.
[5]Infact,acommonprofiletouseisthatofmilitarypersonnel.
[6]Andwhilejustaboutanyoneisapotentialtargettoaromanceorrelationshipscammer,thereisresearch(albeitscarce)tosuggestthatvictimsdifferfromnon-victimsintermsofcertaindemographics.
[7]ThisAARPsurveyof1,721U.
S.
adultsages18andoldergaugedtheself-reportedincidenceofonlinetargetingandvictimizationofrelationshipscams(alsoknownasaRomanceScams).
Thissurveyfurtherexploredbehavioral,social,psychological,andcommunicationcharacteristicsofrespondentstargetedorvictimizedinrelationshipscamscomparedwithrespondentswhowerenottargetedorvictimized.
Respondentswerealsogivenabriefquiztobroadlytesttheirknowledgeofselectonlineriskypracticesandtheirknowledgeofexpertinformationorcrimereportingorganizations.
Thissurveyhasasamplingmarginoferrorof±3.
43percent.
Thissurveywasalsoconductedinfourstates:Connecticut,Pennsylvania,Vermont,andWashington.
Toviewthestatereportsand/orthefullstudymethodologyforthesestudies,pleasegotowww.
aarp.
org/OnlineRomanceScams.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHKeySurveyFindingsU.
S.
adultsareforgingnewrelationshipsonline–bothfriendshipsandromanticones.
Thissurveyfoundthatalmostone-third(31%)ofadultssaytheyhavedevelopedarelationshipwithsomeonethatfirststartedoutonline,withoneinfive(20%)sayingthoserelationshipswereromanticonly,one-quarter(23%)sayingtheywerefriendshipsonly,andoverhalf(57%)sayingtherelationshipswerebothromanticandfriendships.
U.
S.
adultsusetheInternettofindnewfriends,dates,and/orpartners.
Morethanhalf(54%)haveusedtheInternettofindnewfriends,dates,and/orromanticpartners.
Inparticular,socialmediasites(34%)andsocialgroupsorchatgroups(31%)arethemostfrequentlycitedsourcestheyusetomeetothers.
U.
S.
adultshavebeentargetedorvictimizedinarelationshipscammer.
Overoneinfour(27%)U.
Sadultsindicatetheyorsomeonetheyknowhaveencounteredanonlinerelationshipscam.
Specifically,almostoneinfive(18%)saytheyhavebeentargeted(14%)byarelationshipscamoravictim(4%)ofthiscrime.
Morethanhalf(57%)ofthevictimssaytheylostmoneyorsufferedotherfinanciallosses.
Anotherhalf(53%)saytheyexperiencedemotionaldistressand/orhealthproblemsasaresultofthescam.
Victimsortargetsofrelationshipscamsexhibitmorenegativelifeeventsandfeelingsofsocialisolationthannon-targeted/non-victims.
Thissurveyshowsthatrespondentswhosaytheywereatargetorvictimofarelationshipscamaremorelikelythannon-targetsornon-victimstoindicateexperiencinganegativechangeinfinancialstatus,familyrelationshipproblems,stressassociatedwithmoving,andjobloss.
Moreover,targetsorvictimsaremorelikelythannon-targetsornon-victimstoreportoftenhavingfeelingsoflonelinessandisolation.
Akeyindicatorofarelationshipscamisbeingaskedformoneyorotherfinancialhelp.
AmongU.
S.
adultswhosaytheyhavehadanonlinerelationship–friendshiporromanticrelationship–thatfirststartedoutonline,oneinseven(14%)saytheywereaskedtosendmoneyforaticketorothertransportationcostsinordertomeetinperson;anotheroneinten(9%)wereaskedtohelppayanurgentbillforrent,mortgage,etc.
;and4percentwereaskedtoopenabankaccountontheirbehalforajointaccountwiththem.
Knowledgeiskeytoidentifyingscamsandprotectingoneselffrombeingdeceived.
Thissurveyincludeda'quiz'ofsixtrueorfalsestatementsthattestedrespondents'beliefsaboutrelationshipbehaviorandpracticeswithinsocialmediaordatingsites.
Twoofthefourstatementstestedtheirknowledgeofexpertinformationaboutdatingsitesandacrimereportingorganization.
Many(61%)failedthequiz.
4AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH5ONLINERELATIONSHIPSAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH685%82%71%58%23%19%18%83%87%77%63%27%25%22%87%76%62%51%17%10%13%Send/receiveemailSend/receivetextmessagesUsesocialmediasitesUsemessageappsPlayonlinegamesw/othersVideochatVisitonlinechatrooms,forumsormessageboardsU.
S.
AdultsAreOnlineDailyandMostAreEmailing,Texting,andonSocialMediaatLeastOnceaWeekDatafromthissurveyshownearlyallU.
S.
adultsacrossbothagegroupsaccesstheInternetdailyandthroughavarietyofdevices.
However,withtheexceptionofemail,adultsages18-49aremorefrequentusersacrossavarietyofonlineplatformsthanthoseages50+.
OnlineActivitiesPerformedOneorMoreTimesaWeekTOTAL(n=1721)AGE18-49(n=818)AGE50+(n=903)Q:Howoften,ifatall,doyouusetheInternettodothefollowingactivitiesAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHOverHalfofU.
S.
AdultsHaveUsedtheInternettoFindNewFriends,Dates,and/orRomanticPartnersSocialmediasitesandsocialgroupsorchatgroupsarethemost-frequentlyreportedonlineplaceswhereU.
S.
adultssaytheymeetnewfriends,dates,and/orromanticpartners.
Adultsages18-49aremorelikelythanolderadultstousetheInternettomeetnewfriends,dates,and/orromanticpartners,andtheyaremorelikelythanolderadultstouseeachofthevariousonlineplatformsforthispurpose.
7Q.
HaveyouEVERdoneanyofthefollowingtomeetpotentialfriendsonline/Q.
HaveyouEVERdoneanyofthefollowingtomeetpotentialdatesorromanticpartnersatanypointortimeinyourlifeOnlineActivitiesUsedtoMeetNewFriends,Datesand/orRomanticPartnersTOTAL18-4950+(n=1721)(n=818)(n=903)Usedsocialmediasites34%45%19%Joinedspecificonlinesocialgroupsorchatgroupsrelatedtoyourinterests31%39%20%Usedadatingwebsite25%30%17%Usedamobiledatingapp19%28%6%Postedorrespondedtoanadvertisementorannouncementonanonlinewebsite(e.
g.
,Craigslist,oralocalonlinenewsorcommunitysource)17%21%12%Visitedsomeotheronlineplace7%9%4%54%67%35%TOTAL(n=1721)18-49(n=903)50+(n=903)PercentageofU.
S.
AdultsWhoHaveUsedtheInternettoMeetNewFriends,Dates,RomanticPartnersAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH8NearlyOne-ThirdofU.
S.
AdultsHaveDevelopedRelationshipsWithSomeoneTheyMetOnlineYoungerrespondentsaremorelikelythanthoseages50andoldertosaytheyhavedevelopedarelationshipwithsomeonetheymetonline.
However,youngandoldalikesaythemajorityofthoserelationshipswerebothfriendshipsandromanticpartnerships.
Interestingly,regardlessofage,aboutoneinfourU.
S.
adultsindicatetheyhavesixormoreonline-onlyrelationships.
36%37%34%24%23%27%40%41%39%TOTAL(n=522)18-49(n=340)50+(n=182)NumberofRelationshipsthathavebeenOnlineOnly1-23-56+23%22%29%20%20%19%57%58%52%TOTAL(n=522)18-49(n=340)50+(n=182)TypeofRelationshipsthatStartedOnlineBothFriendships&RomanticRelationshipsRomanticRelationshipsOnlyFriendshipsOnlyQ:HaveyouEVERhadanyrelationshipsthatfirststartedoutonline.
.
Q:Abouthowmanypeoplewouldyousayyouhavedevelopedanonlinerelationshipwith--friendshiporromanticrelationship--buthavenevermetinpersonQ:Amongtherelationshipsyouhavehadthatfirststartedoutonline,werethesefriendships,romanticrelationshipsorboth31%40%19%TOTAL(n=1721)18-49(n=818)50+(n=903)HadRelationshipsthatStartedOnlineAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH9Q.
AndwhichofthefollowingwereyourreasonsforusingtheInternettomeetpotentialdatesor-romanticpartners(n=584)52%51%39%32%3%55%50%39%34%4%45%56%42%25%1%CasualdatingAseriousrelationshipCompanionshipIntimacy/sexualrelationsSomeotherreasonReasonsforUsingtheInternettoFindPotentialNewDatesand/orRomanticPartnersTOTAL(n=584)18-49(n=372)50+(n=212)CasualDatingandaSeriousRelationshipAreTopReasonsforGoingOnlinetoMeetNewDates/RomanticPartnersHowever,U.
S.
adultsyoungerthanage50aremorelikelythanolderadultstolookonlinefordatesand/orromanticpartnersforcasualdatingandintimacy/sexualrelationships.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH10TARGETSANDVICTIMSOFRELATIONSHIPSCAMSAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHOneinSevenU.
S.
AdultsSayTheyWereTargetedbyanOnlineRelationshipScamand4PercentofU.
S.
AdultsSayTheyWereaVictimofOne14%4%70%88%12%6%TARGETEDVICTIMIZEDSelf-ReportedOnlineRelationshipScamExperienceYesNoNotSure11Infact,morethanaquarter(27%)ofU.
S.
adultssaytheyorsomeonetheyknowencounteredarelationshipscam.
Additionally,amongrespondentsreportingbeingavictimofanonlinerelationshipscam,morethanhalf(57%)saytheylostmoneyorsufferedotherfinanciallosses.
Anotherhalf(53%)saytheyexperiencedemotionaldistressand/orhealthproblemsasaresultofthescam.
Notably,overonein10(12%)areactuallynotsurewhethertheyweretargetedorvictimizedinthistypeofscam.
Q:Didyoulosemoneyorsufferotherfinanciallossesduetotherelationshipscam(n=63)Q:Didyouexperienceanyhealthproblemsoremotionaldistressasaresultoftherelationshipscam(n=63)Q:Hasanyoneevertriedtodosomethinglikethistoyou(n=1,721)Q:Tothebestofyourknowledge,haveyoueverbeenavictimofarelationshipscam(n=1666)*NOTE:Asmallnumberofrespondentsreportedbeingvictimsofanonlinerelationshipscam(i.
e.
,fewerthan100people).
Giventhis,thesefindingsmaynotberepresentativeofallU.
S.
adultswhohavereportedbeingvictimsofanonlinerelationshipscam.
Healthproblems4%No41%Bothhealthproblemsandemotionaldistress10%Emotionaldistress38%Self-ReportedLossesandDistressAssociatedwithBeingVictimizedinaRelationshipScamAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH13%9%TARGETEDVICTIMIZED12Q.
Didtheylosemoneyorsufferotherfinanciallossesasaresultofthescam(n=373)Q:Didtheyexperienceanyhealthproblemsoremotionaldistressasaresultofbeingscammed(n=373)Q:HasanyoneyouknoweverbeenatargetoranactualvictimofthistypeofscamYoumaycheckeither'targeted'or'avictim'orboth(n=1,721)Healthproblems3%Emotionaldistress51%Bothhealthproblemsandemotionaldistress10%No37%ResultingPhysicaland/orEmotionalProblemsExperiencedbythePersonTargeted/VictimizedintheOnlineRelationshipScam4%6%17%30%56%NeighborSomeoneElseCo-WorkerFamilyMemberFriendQ.
Whatisyourassociationwiththisperson(n=373)KnowsSomeoneWhowasTargeted/victimizedbyanOnlineRelationshipScamOneinFiveU.
S.
AdultsKnowSomeoneWhoWasaTargetorVictimofanOnlineRelationshipScamMostrespondentswhosaytheyknowsomeonewhowastargetedorvictimizedinanonlinerelationshipscamindicatethatpersonwasafriendorfamilymember.
Almosttwointhree(64%)respondentssaythevictimizedpersonexperiencedhealthand/oremotionaldistressasaresult.
Respondents'AssociationwiththePersonTargeted/VictimizedinanOnlineRelationshipScamAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH54%46%MaleFemale13Q:HasanyoneyouknoweverbeenatargetoranactualvictimofthistypeofscamYoumaycheckeither'targeted'or'avictim'orboth(n=1,721)62%38%18-4950+42%27%31%Married/PartneredWidowed/Divorced/SeparatedNeverMarried10%27%34%29%H.
S.
orLess(nodiploma)HighSchoolGraduateSomeCollege/AssociateDegreeBachelorsDegreeorHigherMenandYoungerAdultsAreAmongtheMostLikelyTargetsorVictimsofanOnlineRelationshipScamMen,youngerrespondents,andrespondentswhoarecollegeeducated,marriedornevermarriedaremorelikelythantheircounterpartstosaytheyhavebeentargetedorvictimizedinanonlinerelationshipscam.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH14VULNERABILITYTOONLINERELATIONSHIPSCAMSAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH33%32%33%29%36%28%44%38%24%40%41%21%26%23%22%26%20%18%18%19%21%15%28%28%TOTAL(n=1721)18-49(n=818)50+(n=903)MALE(n=747)FEMALE(n=974)Married/Partnered(n=1071)Widowed/Divorced/Separated(n=340)NeverMarried(n=310)PercentageofU.
S.
AdultsWhoSayTheyareVeryorSomewhatConcernedabout.
.
.
:relationshiporromancescammerspotentiallybeingpartofyouronlinecommunitiesafamilymemberbecomingatargetorvictimofarelationshipscam--eitherafriendshipscamoraromanticrelationshipscambecomingatargetorvictimofarelationshipscam–-eitherafriendshipscamoraromanticrelationshipscam15Q.
Howconcernedareyouaboutrelationshiporromancescammerspotentiallybeingpartofyouronlinecommunities/Q.
Howconcernedareyouaboutbecomingatargetorvictimofarelationshipscam–eitherafriendshipscamoraromanticrelationshipscam/Q.
And,howconcernedareyouaboutafamilymemberbecomingatargetorvictimofarelationshipscam–eitherafriendshipscamoraromanticrelationshipscamHalfofAdultsAreConcernedaboutRelationshipScammersBeinginTheirOnlineCommunities;andThemselvesorTheirFriendsorFamilyMembersBecomingaTargetorVictimofanOnlineRelationshipScamInterestingly,womenandthosewhoarewidowed/divorced/separatedornevermarriedaremorelikelythanmenormarriedrespondentstoexpressconcernsaboutrelationshipscammersbeingpartoftheironlinecommunities.
Womenarealsomorelikelythanmentobeconcernedaboutfamilymembersbeingtargetedorvictimizedinanonlinerelationshipscam.
Thosewhoarenotmarriedaremorelikelythanthosewhoaremarriedtobeconcernedaboutthemselvesbeingtargetsorvictimsofthiscrime.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH73%54%45%44%44%42%40%31%16%14%52%21%21%17%33%26%15%15%11%8%70%46%45%40%47%43%37%32%20%17%58%35%26%26%32%28%22%18%8%6%FirstNameSocialMediaUserNamePhoneNumberChatRoomNameEmailAddressLastNameGamingNicknameBirthdateWorkPhoneNumberHomeAddress18-49(n=818)50+(n=903)Male(n=747)Female(n=974)16Q.
Hypotheticallyspeaking,when,ifatall,wouldyousharethefollowinginformationwithsomeonethatyouwanttodevelopa[friendship/romanticorintimaterelationship]withbuthavenotmetinpersonU.
S.
AdultsAreWillingtoSharePersonalIdentificationInformationEarlyWithPotentialOnlineFriendsorRomanticPartnersInfact,youngeradultsandmenaremorelikelythanthoseages50andolderandwomentosharetheirpersonalinformationwithintwoweeksofmeetingpotentialnewfriendsorromanticpartnersonline.
PersonalInformationAdultsSayTheyWouldLikelySharewithinTwoWeeksofMeetingaPotentialNewFriendorRomanticPartnerOnlinebyAgeandGenderAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHOneinsix(17%)U.
S.
AdultsSayaFriendorRomanticPartnerMetOnlineHasAskedThemforSomeKindofFinancialHelp4%9%14%18%20%32%34%34%39%41%42%AskedyoutoopenabankaccountontheirbehalforajointaccountAskedyoutopayanurgentbillandpromisedtopayyoubackAskedyoutosendmoneyforaticketorothertransportationcoststovisityouToldyoutheyworkedinanotherstateorcountryToldyoutheywantedalong-termrelationshipwithinweeksofmeetingGaveyoulotsofpersonalinformationabouttheirlifeduringfirstfewconversationsAskedtoconnectwithyouonsocialmediaduringyourfirstfewconversationsLiedaboutthemselves(e.
g.
,theirage,theirjob,theirmaritalstatus)SeemedtoogoodtobetrueAskedforyourothercontactinformationduringyourfirstfewconversationsGaveyoualotofcomplimentsduringyourfirstfewconversations17Q:Thinkingofthepeoplethatyouhavemetonline.
.
.
haveanyofthemeverdonethefollowing(n=522).
SuggestiveofaPotentialRelationshipScamSpecifically,oneinsixsaytheyhavebeenaskedtosendmoneyfortransportationcostssotheycanvisit,about1in10saytheyhavebeenaskedtopayanurgentbill,and4percentsaytheyhavebeenaskedtoopenabankaccountorjointaccount.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH18Q.
Howoften,ifatall,doyouusetheInternettodothefollowingactivities87%84%74%70%34%28%19%82%85%70%56%21%17%19%Send/receivetextmessagesSend/receiveemailUsesocialmediasitesUsemessageappsPlayonlinegamesw/othersVisitonlinechatrooms,forumsormessageboardsVideochatOnlineActivitiesPerformedOneorMoreTimesaWeekamongThoseTargeted/VictimizedandNotTargeted/NotVictimizedinanOnlineRelationshipScamTargeted/Victimized(n=254)NotTargeted/NotVictimized(n=1467)U.
S.
AdultsWhoSayTheyWereTargetedorVictimizedinanOnlineRelationshipScamAreFrequentUsersofTexting,Emailing,andSocialMediaSitesSpecifically,theyaremorelikelythannon-targetedand/ornon-victimizedadultstosayatleastonceaweektheysendandreceivetextmessages;usemessageapps;playonlinegames;orvisitonlinechatrooms,forums,ormessageboards.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH19Q.
Whichofthefollowingeventshaveyouexperiencedinthelast5years(i.
e.
,since2014)46%43%38%36%33%23%16%14%7%6%8%28%33%31%25%16%16%8%8%14%2%15%NegativechangeinfinancialstatusFamilyrelationshipproblemsSeriousinjuryorillnessyourself/immediatefamilymemberStressassociatedwithmovingPersistent/regularfeelingsoflonelinessLossofajobDivorce/separationofspouse/partnerDeathofaspouseorpartnerRetirementfromajobDeathofclosefriend/familymemberNoneoftheabovePercentageofU.
S.
AdultsExperiencingtheSelectLifeEventintheLastFiveYearsTargeted/Victimized(n=192)NotTargeted/NotVictimized(n=1023)U.
S.
AdultsWhoSayTheyWereTargetedorVictimizedinanOnlineRelationshipScamAreMoreLikelytoExperienceNegativeLifeEventsthanThoseNOTTargeted/VictimizedSpecifically,targetedorvictimizedadultsaremorelikelythantheircounterpartstoreportexperiencinganegativechangeintheirfinancialstatus,familyrelationshipproblems,persistent/regularfeelingsofloneliness,lossofajob,ordivorceofaspouseorpartner.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH20Q.
Belowaresomegeneralstatementsaboutfeelingsandviews.
Foreach,pleasetelluswhetherthestatementdescribesyouverywell,somewhat,ornotatall.
55%52%43%35%34%28%28%23%20%16%8%55%49%47%50%23%21%20%9%14%8%7%Isympathizewithothers'feelingsIamatrustingpersonOverall,IexpectmoregoodthingstohappentomethanbadOnthewhole,IampleasedwithmylifeIworryaboutmyfutureItendtomakeupmymindquicklyIfinditeasytogetemotionallyclosetoothers.
Iworryromanticpartnerswon'tstaywithmeIfeelsociallyawkwardItendtogetinvolvedinthingsIlaterwishIcouldgetoutofItendto"backdown"evenwhenIknowI'mrightPercentageofU.
S.
AdultsWhoSayTheFollowingStatementsDescribeThem'VeryWell'Targeted/Victimized(n=192)NotTargeted/NotVictimized(n=1023)U.
S.
AdultsWhoSayTheyWereTargetedorVictimizedinanOnlineRelationshipScamAreMorelikelytoBeLessPleasedwithTheirLifeThanThoseNOTTargeted/VictimizedInaddition,adultswhoweretargetedorvictimizedinanonlinerelationshipscamaremorelikelythanthosewhowerenottargetedorvictimizedtoreportthey:finditeasytogetemotionallyclosetoothers,worryabouttheirfuture,worryaboutromanticpartnersleavingthem,feelsociallyawkward,andtendbackdownevenwhentheyknowtheyareright.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH21Q.
Ingeneral,howoftenwouldyousaythatyoufeel.
.
.
22%18%17%23%10%9%10%18%Alackofcompanionship'Leftout'IsolatedfromotherpeopleThattheycanbeopenabouttheirfeelingsandopinionsTargeted/Victimized(n=192)NotTargeted/Victimized(n=1023)U.
S.
AdultsWhoSayTheywereTargetedorVictimizedinanOnlineRelationshipScamAreMoreLikelytoExpressFeelingsofLonelinessandIsolationthanThoseNOTTargeted/VictimizedAdultswhoweretargetedorvictimizedinanonlinerelationshipscamaremorelikelythanthosewhowerenottargetedorvictimizedtoreporttheyoftenfeelalackofcompanionship,'leftout',andisolatedfromotherpeople.
PercentageofU.
S.
AdultsWhoSayTheyOftenFeelThisWayAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH22KNOWLEDGEOFONLINERELATIONSHIPSCAMSAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHAQuarterofU.
S.
AdultsIndicateTheyDoNotKnowWhatanOnlineRelationship(orRomance)ScamIs0%1%2%2%2%3%3%5%5%6%6%8%9%9%15%25%UsuallyinvolvessomeonewhoclaimstobeinmilitaryOfteninvolvespeoplewhocannotmeetinpersonTheypreyonthosewhoarevulnerableOtherUsuallyinvolvessomeonewhoclaimstobeinaforeigncountryJustknowwhatIseeonTVorreadinthenewsFalserepresentationtodeveloparelationshipTargetpeopleforidentitytheft/personalinformationDonotgetinvolvedinonlinedating/relationshipsTheycanbedangerousNeedtobecarefulonlineItisknownas"catfishing"ThesescamsexistandareverypopularPeoplelieandpretendtobesomeonetheyarenotTargetpeopleforfinancialgainDonotknowmuch/anythingaboutthesescamsRespondents'DefinitionsofOnlineRelationshipScams23Q.
Pleasetelluswhatyouknowaboutonlinerelationshipscams.
Giventheopportunitytoprovidetheirowntop-of-minddescriptionofanonlinerelationshipscam,mostrespondentsindicatehavinglimitedknowledgeofthistypeoffraudandnearlyoneinthreehonestlysaytheyjustdon'tknowmuchoranythingaboutonlinerelationshipscams.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH24Q.
Foreachstatement,pleaseindicatewhetherthestatementisTRUE,FALSE,oryouareNOTSURE.
FAILEDTHEQUIZ(i.
e.
,answered3ormorequestionsincorrectly)SurveyQuizShowsManyU.
S.
AdultsAreVulnerabletoOnlineRelationshipScamsWhenaskedaseriesofstatementsregardingonlinepracticesthatcouldleadtobecomingatargetorvictimofanonlinerelationshipscam,mostadultsrespondedincorrectlyorindicatedtheyarenotsureabouthalfofthestatements.
Onaverage,peopleanswered2.
94ofthesixquestionscorrectly.
Notably,abouttwointhree(68%)respondentsareunsureornotawarethatonlinedatingservicesthatchargemembershipfeesarenobetterablethanfreeonlinedatingservicestoprotectcustomersfromscammerslookingforfinancialgain.
StatementAboutOnlineRelationshipPractices/Information(n=1721)CorrectIncorrectNotSureIncorrect/NotsureOnlinedatingservicesthatchargemembershipfeesarebetterabletoprotectcustomersfromscammerslookingforfinancialgainthanfreeonlinedatingservices.
[F]33%25%43%68%DevelopingonlinefriendshipsthroughsocialmediasiteslikeFacebook,LinkedInorInstagramarelesslikelytomakeoneatargetorvictimofarelationshipscamthanthroughdatingsites/datingapps.
[F]56%14%30%44%Whenyoufirstmeetsomeoneonline,it'sbestnottogivethemyourlastnameorhomeaddressuntilyouknowthembetter,butitisoktogivethemyourworkemailandworkphonenumber.
[F]63%24%14%38%Acceptingasocialmediafriendorconnectioninvitefromanewonlinefriendorpotentialromanticpartner,andviewingtheirpageorsite,isagoodwaytoseeiftheyareanimposterornot.
[F]52%22%26%48%Somedatingsitesreporttheyuncoverhundredsofthousandsoffakeprofileseveryyear.
[T]59%4%36%40%AccordingtotheFBI'sInternetCrimeComplaintCenter(IC3),thelossesassociatedwithromancescamcomplaintsexceeded$211millionin2017.
[T]34%3%63%66%AverageScore:2.
9461%AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH25IMPLICATIONSAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHImplicationsofSurveyFindingsAstheuseoftheInternettomeetnewfriendsandromanticpartnersrises,consumerswillneedtobewellinformedabouthowtoprotectthemselvesfromcriminalswhoareonlinelookingtostealtheirmoney.
Specifically,thissurveyfound4percentofU.
S.
adultshavebeenvictimizedinanonlinerelationshipscam.
Anotheroneinsevenhavebeenatargetofone.
Andevenmorerespondentsindicateknowingsomeone–mostlyafriendorfamilymember–whohasbeenatargetorvictimofanonlinerelationshipscam.
Interestingly,overonein10respondentssaytheyarenotsurewhethertheyhavebeenatargetoravictimofanonlinerelationshipscam—evenafterreadingabriefdescriptionofwhatanonlinerelationshipscamis.
Thispointstotheneedforgreaterawarenessof'redflags'peopleshouldlookfortopreventfallingvictimtothisscam,suchasbeingaskedformoneyortoopenfinancialaccounts.
Infact,welloverhalfofthevictimsreportedsufferingfinanciallossestothisscam.
Thissurveyalsoexploredcertainsocialandpsychologicalcharacteristicsandlifeeventstoseehowtheymayberelatedtobecomingatargetorvictimofanonlinerelationshipscam.
SignificantdifferenceswerefoundbetweenU.
Sadultswhosaytheyhavebeentargetedorvictimizedinanonlinerelationshipscamandthosewhosaytheyhavenot.
Inparticular,thosewhohavebeentargetedorvictimizedmoreoftenexperiencefeelingsofsocialisolationandreportagreaternumbernegativelifeeventsthanthosewhohavenotbeentargetedorvictimized.
Thesurveyresultsindicatethatenhancedconsumeradvocacy,awarenesscampaigns,andpublicprotectioneffortsareneededtobetterinformconsumersaboutonlinerelationshipscamssotheycanprotecttheirhearts–andtheirwallets.
26AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH27METHODOLOGYAARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHMethodologyThissurveywasconductedbyNORCattheUniversityofChicagoonbehalfofAARP.
ForthenationalsurveyofU.
S.
adults,datawerecollectedusingtheAmeriSpeakPanel,aprobability-basedpaneldevelopedbyNORCattheUniversityofChicago.
AmeriSpeakisdesignedtoberepresentativeoftheU.
S.
householdpopulation.
InterviewsforthissurveywereconductedbetweenJanuary9and24,2019,withadultInternetusersages18andolder,representingthe50statesandtheDistrictofColumbia.
RespondentswererandomlyselectedfromtheAmeriSpeakPanel;1,721adultscompletedthesurvey.
Theweightedhouseholdpanelresponseis34.
2percent,theweightedhouseholdpanelretentionis85.
1percent,thescreenercompletionrateis29.
4percent,thesurveycompletionrateis99.
0percent,andthefinalstagecompletionrate,whichistheproductofthescreenerandsurveycompletionrates,is29.
1percent,foracumulativeAAPORResponseRate(RR3)of8.
5percent.
Theoverallmarginofsamplingerrorisplusorminus3.
43percentagepointsatthe95percentconfidencelevel,accountingforthedesigneffect.
Themarginofsamplingerrormaybehigherforsubgroups.
Oncethesamplewasselectedandfielded,andallofthestudydatacollectedandmadefinal,weightingadjustmentswereusedtoadjustforunequalsampleselectionprobabilitiesunderthesampledesign,surveynonresponse,andframecoverage.
Framecoveragewasadjustedthroughrakingtoaligntheweightedsampletothepopulationbyage,gender,Censusregion,race/ethnicity,andeducation.
Post-stratificationweightingbenchmarkswereobtainedfromthe2018CurrentPopulationSurvey.
TheweighteddatareflecttheU.
S.
populationofadultInternetusersages18andolder.
Inadditiontothisnationalstudy,NORCalsocollectedinterviewsofadultInternetusersinfourstates:Connecticut,Pennsylvania,Vermont,andWashington.
Thisreportonlydescribesthenationalsurveyresults.
Tovieweachofthestatesurveyresultsandtheirrespectivemethodology,pleasegotohttps://www.
aarp.
org/OnlineRomanceScams.
28AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCH29AboutAARPAARPisthenation'slargestnonprofit,nonpartisanorganizationdedicatedtoempoweringAmericans50andoldertochoosehowtheyliveastheyage.
Withnearly38millionmembersandofficesineverystate,theDistrictofColumbia,PuertoRico,andtheU.
S.
VirginIslands,AARPworkstostrengthencommunitiesandadvocateforwhatmattersmosttofamilieswithafocusonhealthsecurity,financialstabilityandpersonalfulfillment.
AARPalsoworksforindividualsinthemarketplacebysparkingnewsolutionsandallowingcarefullychosen,high-qualityproductsandservicestocarrytheAARPname.
Asatrustedsourcefornewsandinformation,AARPproducesthenation'slargestcirculationpublications,AARPTheMagazineandAARPBulletin.
Tolearnmore,visitwww.
aarp.
orgorfollow@AARPand@AARPadvocatesonsocialmedia.
AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHCitations30[1]PEWResearchCenter,Internet&Technology,February5,2018,Internet/BroadbandFactSheethttp://www.
pewinternet.
org/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/[2]PEWResearchCenter,Internet&Technology,December19,2016,OnlineShoppingandE-Commercehttp://www.
pewinternet.
org/2016/12/19/online-shopping-and-e-commerce/[3]PEWResearchCenter,Internet&Technology,February11,2016,15%ofAmericanAdultsHaveUsedOnlineDatingSitesorMobileDatingAppshttp://www.
pewinternet.
org/2016/02/11/15-percent-of-american-adults-have-used-online-dating-sites-or-mobile-dating-apps/[4]FTCWarnsConsumersAboutOnlineDatingScams,February2018,https://www.
ftc.
gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/02/ftc-warns-consumers-about-online-dating-scams[5]FBIInternetCrimeComplaintCenter2017INTERNETCRIMEREPORT,pages20-21https://pdf.
ic3.
gov/2017_IC3Report.
pdf[6]OnlineloveaskingformoneyIt'sascam.
July10,2018,byCarolKando-Pineda,Attorney,DivisionofConsumerandBusinessEducation,https://www.
consumer.
ftc.
gov/blog/2018/07/online-love-asking-money-its-scam[7]Whitty,M.
T.
February2018,DoYouLoveMePsychologicalCharacteristicsofRomanceScamVictims,https://www.
ncbi.
nlm.
nih.
gov/pmc/articles/PMC5806049/AARP.
ORG/RESEARCH|2019AARPALLRIGHTSRESERVEDAARPRESEARCHForinformationaboutthesurvey:JenniferSauer,jsauer@aarp.
organdAliciaWilliams,awilliams@aarp.
orgFormediainquiries:MarkBagley,mbagley@aarp.
orgFormoreinformationontheissue:KathyStokes,kstokes@aarp.
orgThisresearchwasdesignedandexecutedbyAARPResearch31