Love is a Battlefield – Have Your Defenses Up!

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that more than 70,000 Americans fall victim to romance scams annually, costing over $1 billion in financial losses to victims. Scammers gain the trust of vulnerable adults and then, over time, work systematically to convince their victims to send them cash, buy them gifts, or worse. Romance scams can lead to financial ruin, housing instability, and feelings of shame.

Veteran advocates should be prepared by being aware of red flags, asking the appropriate questions, and knowing what to do when things go wrong. Hosted by the Veterans Legal Assistance Project at Vermont Law and Graduate School, this lunch and learn session will cover common dating scams, warning signs, counseling advice and tools for victims, and general tips for promoting safe dating. A Zoom link will be shared with all registrants prior to the event.