Every online user, including fraudsters, were granted a free pass by the Justice Department earlier this week for lying on the Internet. Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “How can we prosecute somebody for lying?” Fibbing is an age-old human behavior that even the DoJ says it doesn’t have the time or resources to bring cases against everyone who lies on dating websites.

According to the Politico article, “Free pass for dating site liars,” people can take comfort in knowing that they don’t have to worry about being prosecuted or hauled off to jail for telling a little white lie over the Internet. While this certainly makes sense, at the same time we’re still walking on shaky ground when it comes to online lies, falsifications, profile misinterpretations, or whatever you want to label it. The fact is, when it comes to identity fraud, fake accounts or other crimes on romance sites, lying is typically the basis for the crime. It sets the stage for deeper criminal activity that can cost victims both emotional and financial hardships, not to mention damage to the dating site’s reputation.  (more…)

When it comes to online fraud, most people have a zero tolerance policy. Common sense tells us that nobody wants to be conned out of their money, let alone their emotional state of being. While they say love is blind, online lonely hearts may also be turning the other cheek to potential fraud for the sake of a little companionship.

According to the article, “Online dating scams harm ‘thousands’ in Lee County,” Stacey Payne of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office community relations department says oftentimes those seeking love online either don’t want to believe it, are embarrassed, or simply don’t mind that the person they are in love with is a scammer. (more…)

Finding true love online, whether it’s through the right look, poetic flattery or simple mutual interests, is tough for the millions of hopeless romantics looking to find that special someone. Often times, finding Mr. Right is like searching for a needle in the haystack as those looking for love spend countless hours carefully sorting through endless personal profiles until something catches their eye. (more…)

For romantics across the globe, love is in the air this Valentine’s Day. But like love itself, it’s also a time to be cautious when seeking romance online. In the article, “Be fraud safe this Valentines — top tips to avoid online dating fraud,” the Action Fraud report found that over the past six months approximately £2.5 million was stolen by online dating fraudsters.

Dr. Bernard Herdan, CEO of the National Fraud authority who runs Action Fraud, said fraudsters who take advantage of online dating sites are a particularly sinister bunch, who use clever tricks to gain the confidence and affections of legitimate site users before asking for money. He warned that nobody should ever send money to someone they’ve never met in person. (more…)

When it comes to helping online businesses fight fraud and abuse, iovation is in a league of its own.

After being recognized by the international gaming and online dating communities in January as one of the top technologies for preventing fraud and increasing profitability, productivity and efficiency, we are extremely proud and honored to be recognized by industry leaders in e-Commerce as one of the most innovative fraud fighting tools for online or multi-channel retailers.

To be eligible for the awards, all entrants must be available for online or multi-channel retailers to use for the purpose of measuring, monitoring or mitigating one or more of the following: card-not-present fraud; advancing online data security; improving online payment processes; and advancing the MRC’s vision of making electronic commerce more efficient, safe and profitable.

This week, the Merchant Risk Council (MRC) announced that iovation ReputationManager 360 has been named a finalist for the 2011 MRC Emerging Technology Awards (also known as the METAwards). The awards are judged by a panel of merchants that include the likes of eBay, BestBuy.com, Go Daddy, HP, Microsoft, NCsoft, Tiffany & Co., Urban Outfitters, T-Mobile, among others. (more…)

When it comes to online dating scams, we all like to believe we learn from our own, and others, experiences. But according to new statistics on Romancescams.org, a website dedicated to fighting online romance scams, the average loss per person involved in a romance scam has climbed to a staggering $11,500. That’s up from a 2007 report where the advocacy group cited the average loss per victim was $7,900.

According to the article, “Website offers forum on avoiding romance scams,” fraudsters continue to successfully scam unsuspecting lonely hearts by using stolen credit cards to join online dating sites and set up fake profiles. From there, they quickly lure their victims off the dating sites and onto more personal lines of communications such as instant messaging and email before romance sites can discover the stolen credit card and pull their fake profiles. (more…)

Despite all the warning signs and expert advice on how to avoid online dating scams, singles looking for partners online continue to be duped out of hundreds of millions of dollars each year. According to the article, “Online lonely-hearts scam is costing Britons millions of pounds,” online romance fraud has become so prevalent in Britain that the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) is sending officers from its anti-kidnap and extortion units to help train police in areas where many of the mass-marketing romance scams originate, Nigeria and Ghana.

Romance scams have been around much longer than online dating sites. While the Internet has increased people’s chances of finding partners, it also provides a level of anonymity that enables fraudsters to hide their true identities to perpetrate any number of fraudulent or abusive activities against individuals and online dating providers. (more…)