With Valentine’s Day approaching, be on the lookout for romance scams. Criminals create fake online profiles to build emotional connections and then ask for money, gift cards, or personal information. They often claim to be traveling, in the military, or dealing with an urgent crisis that requires “just a little help.” Romance scams are a powerful example of social engineering; attacks that manipulate feelings like trust, loneliness, or excitement instead of hacking technology. Be cautious with anyone you’ve only met online, never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, and be skeptical of requests that feel rushed or secretive. Protect your heart, and your wallet, by verifying before you trust.