Scams catch romance seekers off guard

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Looking for love online?

With so many people meeting matches on the Internet, scammers have crept into the sites too. Here are some warning signs and tips to avoid heartache.

Online dating sites and social networking have opened up connections or rekindled long-lost love for many happy couples.

But the anonymous nature of some introductions, and the ability to create a profile that's not entirely accurate, can catch romance seekers off guard.

The Federal Trade Commission says, some signs that your online love might be a scam are:

- Claiming instant feelings of love and attractions
- Planning a meet or visit, and then canceling
- Multiple persistent requests for money for an emergency or help with a struggling business

Be wary of messages from so called long-lost friends that you don't seem to remember. Scammers can learn a lot about you from your social networking profile.

Use the same instincts you'd use when meeting someone in person. If your perfect match sounds too good to be true, he or she probably is.

Back to those requests for money. Generally, once they ask you for money, and you give it to them, the requests are going to keep coming in. They're going to come up with a variety of reasons why they need the money.