Victimized in Virginia: Virtual office engaged in dating scam of seniors

 
A phantom dating service has been targeting seniors in Central Virginia and Henrico County and drawing attention from the area Better Business Bureau, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. From the story:

The BBB has received 121 consumer inquiries on this particular service in the past seven months and two complaints involving payments to the business of $2,250 and $4,400 each.The BBB has been unable to verify a physical location for the business. An investigation revealed that the business address is a virtual office.

The same story shares these online dating company safety tips from the Better Business Bureau in Central Virginia:

• Consider what you would like to get from the service. Some dating services focus on developing long-term matches, while others assist in broadening your scope of friends.
• Research the company’s background at bbb.org.
• Read the contract and fine print. Be sure the contract outlines payment plans, length of contract and refund and cancellation policies in case you are dissatisfied with the service. Some dating services charge a flat rate, while others offer a la carte pricing.
• Select a service that enforces high standards of behavior. Request in writing what guidelines the company follows in screening applicants. Does the service conduct a thorough background check of each applicant?
• Prepare to get personal. Get a sense of the questions the company asks for use in creating your member profile, including your age, profession, likes/dislikes and hobbies.
• Understand the process. Determine how members are introduced to one another and how many referrals you can expect within a given time period. If the service offers group activities, find out what they are and how often they occur.
• Research the demographics. Make certain there are plenty of members within your geographic area and age range.
• Explore the company’s website. Carefully review the privacy policy to see how personal information is protected.