Romance scams in the UK have seen a 24% rise over the past year, according to Lloyds Banking Group. This increase was measured by comparing reports from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, with those from the previous 12 months. Younger victims, particularly those aged 18 to 24, saw a 59% increase in reported scams, while those aged 25 to 34 experienced a 39% rise. Meanwhile, the majority of money lost—55%—came from victims aged over 65. Among this group, those aged 75 to 84 lost an average of £9,051, the highest average loss of any age group, and this amount was 19% higher than the previous year. However, the overall average loss across all romance scam victims decreased by 20%, reaching £4,078, according to Lloyds. Younger victims are often targeted through dating apps and social media, while older victims are more frequently approached via traditional dating websites and social media. Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, explained that romance scammers do not discriminate based on age. They aim to build trust and emotional connections before requesting money. She noted that while many assume younger adults are less likely to fall victim due to their digital confidence, being digitally savvy does not make someone immune to fraud. Ziegler advised that if someone recently met starts asking for money, individuals should take a step back and speak to someone they trust, as a genuine relationship should not depend on financial support. Patrick Hurley, ombudsman director at the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), highlighted the distressing impact of being a scam victim, which can have life-changing financial consequences. He encouraged victims to first raise complaints with their financial providers and, if unresolved, to contact the FOS for further assistance. Ziegler provided several tips to help avoid falling victim to romance scams. These include being cautious of intense messages or declarations of love used to create emotional connections before asking for money, protecting personal and financial information, and being alert to red flags such as changing circumstances or inconsistencies. She also recommended using reverse image searches to verify photos and avoiding feelings of urgency or guilt, as fraudsters often create pressure or emotional ultimatums to encourage quick payments. Talking to someone trusted before sending money was also advised to help identify potential issues.