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At Altamaha Bank, we talk a lot about protecting what matters. That includes your savings, your business, and your future. 

But today, we want to talk about something more personal: romance scams. 

These scams don’t start with a suspicious transaction. 

They start with a conversation. 

And they can happen to anyone. 

What Is a Romance Scam? 

A romance scam occurs when someone creates a fake identity online — often on social media, dating apps, or even through text messages — to build an emotional relationship with the goal of stealing money. 

The scammer may claim to be: 

• A military service member stationed overseas 
• An engineer working on an oil rig 
• A contractor on an international assignment 
• A widower or single parent 
• Someone who quickly expresses deep affection 

They invest time. 

They build trust. 

They create urgency. 

Then they ask for money. 

The Red Flags to Watch For 

Romance scammers are skilled at manipulation. But there are common warning signs: 

1. They Move Fast 

They say “I love you” quickly or talk about marriage early on. 

2. They Avoid Meeting in Person 

There is always a reason they can’t visit — deployment, travel restrictions, medical emergencies. 

3. They Ask for Secrecy 

They encourage you not to tell family or friends about the relationship. 

4. They Request Unusual Payments 

They ask for: 

• Wire transfers 
• Gift cards 
• Cryptocurrency 
• Payment apps 
• Help depositing checks and sending funds back out 

No legitimate partner will ask you to move money this way. 

How the Scam Escalates 

Most victims don’t lose money in one large transaction. 

It often starts small: 

• “I just need $500 for a plane ticket.” 
• “My account is frozen — can you help?” 
• “I’ll pay you back as soon as this contract clears.” 

Over time, the requests grow larger. By the time doubt sets in, thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — of dollars may be gone. 

And sadly, the emotional loss can be just as painful as the financial one. 

Why We Talk About This 

Fraud is not just a cybersecurity issue. 

It’s a conversation issue. 

As your community bank, we may ask questions when: 

• You request an unusual wire transfer 
• You withdraw a large amount of cash 
• You purchase multiple gift cards 
• You attempt to send funds overseas 

Please know: 

We are not being intrusive. 

We are being protective. 

Sometimes the most important thing we can do is pause a transaction and ask, 

“Can you tell us a little more about this?” 

That moment of pause can prevent devastating loss. 

What To Do If You’re Unsure 

If you’re communicating with someone online and money is involved: 

1. Pause. Urgency is a tactic. 
2. Talk to someone you trust. 
3. Call us before sending money. 
4. Never send gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers to someone you’ve never met in person. 

If you believe you’ve been targeted: 

• Contact us immediately so we can try to limit further loss. 
• Report the scam to the appropriate authorities. 

A Word to Families 

If you’re concerned about a parent, grandparent, or loved one: 

• Watch for sudden secrecy about a new “friend.” 
• Notice unexplained withdrawals. 
• Approach the conversation gently — shame often keeps victims silent. 
• Fraud thrives in isolation. 

It weakens when people talk. 

Our Commitment to You 

At Altamaha Bank, we believe banking is personal. Protecting you means more than processing transactions. 

It means: 

• Asking questions 
• Slowing things down when needed 
• Standing beside you when something feels off 

If something doesn’t feel right, call us. 

No embarrassment. 

No judgment. 

Just help. 

Because protecting your financial future starts with a conversation.