BARCLAYS – 56% of Gen Z singles are prioritizing meeting a partner in-person as romance scams become more sophisticated. 66% of UK adults say AI tools are making online dating scams more difficult to detect, with 53% concerned about voice or image impersonation. Barclays claims data shows victims of romance scams lost £7k each on average in 2025, and 67% originated on dating sites and social media platforms.
Kirsty Adams, Fraud & Scams Expert at Barclays, shares her SAFE guidelines:
S – Stay on the platform
A – Ask someone you trust if something doesn’t feel right
F – Flag money requests
E – Exit safely and report if you have been asked for money or if something feels wrong