UMB Bank outlined warning signs of online romance scams in guidance published on February 11, 2026. Its article describes how a relationship built through messages can lead to requests for money, gifts, account details or supposed cryptocurrency investments.

The historical loss figure relevant to the article is $1.14 billion in reported romance-scam losses during 2023. The Federal Trade Commission published that figure in February 2024, alongside 64,003 reports and a median reported loss of $2,000. The reporting period is 2023, rather than the publication year of the FTC commentary.

The separate SSRS figure cited by UMB comes from its February 7–9, 2025 survey of 2,016 US adults: 39% said they had ever used a dating site or app. It measures past use in that survey, rather than the number currently using a dating service in 2026.

UMB describes scammers cultivating trust over weeks or months, sometimes using celebrity identities or claims of wealth and business success. Requests can escalate after an initial payment, with repeated explanations for why a meeting cannot happen or why more money is needed.

The bank also discusses investment pitches introduced through a supposed relationship. It warns that a person may first be encouraged to transfer a small amount and later face demands for much larger payments, unexplained fees or blocked withdrawals.

Its suggested checks include reverse-image searches and scrutiny of inconsistent profile details. UMB also recommends keeping trusted people informed about an online relationship or a planned in-person meeting, and taking requests for sensitive financial information seriously.

If a scam is suspected, the guide recommends ending contact, preserving messages and transaction records, and reporting the account to the relevant dating or social platform. It also advises notifying the financial institution and the FTC, with prompt action if banking or identity information has been disclosed.