5 On Your Side Consumer reporter John Matarese reported on how some Web sites are now stepping up their efforts to protect users.
A year ago, Matarese said he investigated the growing number of scam artists preying on members of online dating sites.
He said the problem has grown to be so widespread that dating sites are fighting back, trying to protect their members from the heartbreak of a lifetime.
One woman thought she had met the man of her dreams on a dating Web site.
Cindy, who asked that her last name not be used, met who she thought was a businessman online.
"An attractive man started talking with me," she said. "He was in Africa on business, and would be moving to the United States."
After weeks of romantic e-mails, he asked if she could cash some money orders for him.
"He said, 'I have some money orders, but they won't let me cash them.' "
Before she agreed to do so, she searched other sites and found him using several different names.
"We have had people who lost their houses, their cars, their jobs," said Rhonda McGregor, of www.romancescams.org. "Because they are so into this person, they would do anything."
Materese said dating sites, such as www.eharmony.com and www.match.com, now list warning signs about con artists.
Another site, www.true.com, conducts background checks on all members.
Another Web site that may help is www.dontdatehim.com.
Even with extra fraud protection, users should be diligent and suspicious of anyone who comes on aggressively at a dating site.
Also, if they claim they are outside the United States or short on cash, that should be an immediate red flag.
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