People are often ashamed to come forward and admit that they’ve been duped.

It’s not a good feeling to have been taken advantage of, and a scheme that’s so obvious in hindsight is even harder to admit to. If you date online, take precautions to protect yourself.

Action Fraud and the City of London Police have launched a new initiative that aims to separate cybercrime and fraud facts from fiction.

Dubbed “Urban Fraud Myths,” the thirteen day campaign kicked off with a look at online dating, a crime which swindled 3543 Brits out of £33.65 million ( million) in the last year.

Again, both men and women can and have fallen victim to online dating scammers, but women tend to be targeted more aggressively.

Interestingly, the AARP says that men fall victim to these scams more often, but that women are more likely to report the scam.

Even then, it pays to be cautious about giving out personal information, at least at the beginning of your new friendship/relationship.

With its bio listed as “Please quit posting pictures of your debit cards, people”, the account has gained over 5000 followers in a little over a month. He’s just cut up his debit card to stop him spending any money.

Some people have at least attempted to obscure some of the information, by using a strategically placed thumb or, in one case, black marker pen. And it’s important that the whole world knows, right? How interested are your genuine online friends in a picture of your bank card anyway?

If you fall into this category, be especially wary of people that you meet through dating websites.

Online dating can be difficult for women The AARP also says that seniors are a common target of these scams.