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6 • RIVERROCK T • Thursday, February 12, 2026

Love is in the air, but romance scams and last minute purchase scams could be as well

BBB of Upstate NY reminds • Be wary of fast-moving rela- and be skeptical if their online pres-
consumers to stay scam-savvy tionships. Scammers often push in- ence seems limited or inconsistent.
this Valentine’s Day tense emotions quickly, declaring • Trust your instincts. If some-
love early or pressuring you to thing feels off, pause the relation-
s consumers prepare to shop
Afor loved ones this Valentine’s move the relationship off the dating ship.
platform. “While romance scams are not
Day, BBB is reminding people to
watch out for common scams that • Never send money or gift reported as frequently as online
cards. Requests for wire transfers, shopping scams, the financial im-
may leave you heartbroken with an
empty wallet. cryptocurrency, or gift cards — es- pact can be devastating,” said Katar-
pecially tied to emergencies, travel, ina Schmieder, BBB of Upstate
Shoppers should be on the look-
out for too-good-to be true deals, or investment opportunities — are New York Communications
major red flags. Director. “Anyone in the online dat-
especially if making purchases at
the last-minute. Scammers often set • Watch for excuses to avoid ing world should use caution and
meeting. Repeated claims of being know how to spot the red flags of a
up fake flower sales or create fake
ads for other popular items such as overseas or facing sudden crises can scam.”
be the sign of a scam. If you encounter a scam, BBB of
jewelry in an attempt to trick con-
sumers. • Protect your personal informa- Upstate New York encourages you
tion. Avoid sharing sensitive details to report it at BBB.org/scamtracker.
Anyone shopping online for a Image by amrothman from Pixabay
last-minute gift should keep the fol- like your address, financial informa- For additional tips and information,
• Professional photos do not likely to get your money back tion, or copies of identification. visit https://www.bbb.org/all/valent
lowing tips in mind:
mean it’s a real offer. Respondents should you encounter a scam. • Do your own research. Re- ine-s-day.
• Research before you buy. Use
reported that website photos moti- BBB also reminds consumers to verse-image search profile photos
BBB.org and shopper reviews to do
vated them to engage with scam- be cautious when forming online
your homework before paying. Al-
mers, especially for pets/pet romantic connections. Romance
so, read our tips for spotting phony
supplies, clothing/accessories, and scams continue to be one of the
reviews.
vehicles. most emotionally and financially
• If the deal looks too good to be
• Make sure the website is se- damaging fraud tactics, with scam-
true, it probably is. The price was
cure. Look for the “HTTPS” in the mers exploiting trust, loneliness,
the top motivating factor for people
URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and and affection to steal money and
who made a purchase and lost mon-
a small lock icon on the address bar. personal information. While many
ey. Don’t shop on price alone.
Never enter payment or personal online relationships are genuine,
• Beware of fake websites:
Check the URL, watch for bad information into a website with only consumers should watch for warn-
“HTTP” – it is NOT secure. ing signs that a romantic interest
grammar, research the age of the
domain, and search for contact in- • Always pay with a credit card. may not be who they claim to be.
Credit card companies offer fraud BBB tips to avoid romance
formation. See BBB’s tips for iden-
tifying a fake website. protection and you will be more scams this Valentine’s Day:

THEME: THE 1990s

ACROSS DOWN
1. *First cloned mammal 1. Design detail
6. Fuel economy acronym 2. München mister
9. Land measure 3. Jittery
13. Pascal of "The Mandalorian" 4. Irregularly notched
fame 5. *Harry of Privet Drive
14. Second O in EVOO 6. Gangster's gal
15. a.k.a. sergeant fish or robalo 7. *"American ____" (1999)
16. Plant fungus 8. Geography class prop
17. *"Titanic" star 9. Any minute, arch.
18. *"The ____ Whisperer" (1998) 10. Cut at birth
19. *PepsiCo offering 11. Parks on a bus
21. *One of the Walsh twins, 12. ____ out a living
90210 15. Israeli monetary unit
23. Long reef dweller 20. Remote in manner
24. Reach a high 22. Did a marathon, e.g.
25. Color of passion 24. Mollify
28. Agitate 25. *Assassinated Gandhi
30. Like Matryoshka inside Matry- 26. Radiate
oshka 27. Small wooded hollows
35. Gave the boot 29. *Apple offering
37. Arab League member 31. Simon does what?
39. One of Florida Keys 32. Influencer's creation
40. Summer month 33. Daytime moth
41. Polished diamond surface 34. *Snoop ____ Dogg
43. Safecracker 36. Coloring substances
44. Lazybones 38. Nautilus' captain
46. Before "saw" and "conquered" 42. Allegro or lento
47. Glitch 45. Repeat an echo
48. Watercraft 49. Pathet ____
50. Remains repository 51. *Fresh Prince's town
52. Like some martinis 54. *____ Mouth of "All Star"
53. Comfort fame
55. One in a pod 56. Discombobulate
57. *____ bubble 57. *Jeff Bridges in "The Big Leb-
60. *The 1990s, a.k.a. post-____ owski," with The
____ decade 58. Made in Vegas
64. Biblical patriarch 59. Makes lace
65. Sensitive subject? 60. One-tenth of a dime
67. "Bad news travels fast," e.g. 61. *"____ Wait... Don't Tell Me!"
68. ____ ____ shopping cart on NPR
69. Father's progeny 62. Petri dish gel
70. Trojan War epic 63. Do over
71. Difficult situation 64. Fruit spread
72. Like jalapeño 66. *____ Goo Dolls of "Name"
73. So out it's in fame
Answers on page 7