BBB Tip: Avoiding romance scams this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and many hope to spend it with someone special. With the rise of social media and online dating over the years, there are more ways than ever to find love. However, these platforms also create opportunities for scammers to reach potential victims.
Two dozen Texans reported romance scams to BBB Scam Tracker last year, losing over $55,000 total and an average of more than $2,000 each. According to the 2018 and 2019 Scam Tracker Risk Reports, the financial impact of this scam has increased in recent years, making them the costliest type of fraud for consumers.
Not only can romance scams be financially devastating, but they are emotionally trying for the individuals who fall for them. Scammers generally reach their victims via social media or dating apps, where they begin to build a relationship with them. The impostors share stories about themselves, often claiming they work overseas and need plane tickets home, have sick relatives or are experiencing financial troubles. This information, often accompanied by excuses for never meeting in person, is meant to convince their targets to send them money.
Some begin to ask for money after a few days or weeks, while others will keep the charade up for several months, allowing their target to become emotionally invested in the relationship. One Texas woman lost $43,000 after a relationship that lasted three months, sharing with BBB that she became engaged to a man she met online who claimed to be working in Saudi Arabia. He said to expect an expensive package, then repeatedly asked her to pay thousands of dollars to cover shipping, insurance costs and various fees. “I did not want to pay at first, but the man who claimed to be my fiancé kept begging me to pay because he said he spent lots of money on the package. I just did what he said because I really liked him, and he seemed real on the phone.”
Data from Better Business Bureau, the Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA) and the Stanford Center for Longevity show that women ages 55 to 64 are most likely to be targeted for a romance scam. In addition to common risk factors, COVID-19 and the CARES Act motivated scammers to steal federal funds through romance scams. After the recent distribution of stimulus checks, and hopes of more to come, taxpayers should be especially diligent when interacting with people online.
Use these tips from your Better Business Bureau to protect your heart and wallet this Valentine’s Day:
Never send money to strangers. Never give money to someone you haven’t met in person. Be especially wary if they ask you to send funds through wire transfer, money orders or pre-paid cards, as these forms of payment are untraceable and cannot be returned. Cut off contact immediately with anyone who requests money online.
Howard County Justice of the Peace Outstanding IBC Warrants:
Jasmine Ahrnkeil, 1301 Princeton, Big Spring Sherri Monique Aldridge, 1507 E. Sixth St., Big Spring
Anthony Anderson, 3401 Camellia Dr. #707, Temple Steve Antoine, 1425 E. 6th St., Big Spring
Katie Cole L. Baker, P.O. Box 3372, Big Spring Letitia Baucham, 1202 Stanford, Big Spring Linda Beck, 1713 Worley Rd., Banner Elk, N.C. Joshua Bell, 1962 Tuscola, Snyder
John Bochnicka, 538 Westover Rd. #260
Chad Wayne Brown, 3901 Ave. O, P.O. Box 391, Snyder
Douglas “Doug” Lee Brown, 205 W. 14th St. P.O. Box 275, Monahans
James Bullard, 202 Fourth St., Palestine Melinda Burns, 2218 Carlton Way, San Angelo Wayne Richard Buyce, 4042 Morningside Way, Canyon Lake
Gloria Cerna, P.O Box 55, Lamesa
Matilda Cortez, 302 N St. Teresa
Roy E. Deblanc, 1066 Cutrer Rd., Osyka, Miss. Laura W. Dennis, 1511 Scurry, Big Spring Humberto Diaz Jr., 3417 N. Midland Dr, Midland Nelba Delosrios Diaz, 10600 Mcmillian Dr., Austin Krista A. Dickson, 6917 Todd, Sachse
Jimmy Dodson, 405 31st St., Snyder
Ben Doherty, 5019 Mckinney St. No. 105, Dallas Angela Doty, 1401 E. Rundberg, Austin Clayton W. Durbin, 6508 Centerpoint, Big Spring Tina Marie Ellis, 4002 Austin Ave., Snyder Selena Bethani Enriquez-king, 100 E Parker, Midland
Joanna Esparza, 501 S.tackitt Seymour, Texas Carol W. Evans, 809 E 33rd, Plainview, Texas Chris M. Fagan, 3508 W. Eighth St., Amarillo Kristen Falcon, 2606 Fairchild Dr., Big Spring Leza Faulkner, 1102 South Water, Burnet Mumduh Felemban, 9338 Perrin Beitel Apt. 701, San Antonio
Alexander Fernandez, 404 Cypress, Colorado City Juana Fierro, 406 N. W. 5th St., Big Spring Tracy D. Flores, 2401 Russell Ave., Abilene Ellen French, P.O. Box 942, Poteau, Okla. Sharlamarr Frink, 3723 Monclair, Odessa Johnnie Fuller, 3801 23rd St., Snyder
Juan E. Garcia, 3355 River Road North Keizer, Ok Mary Jo Garner, 11802 Silver Barring Cove, San Antonio
William Gene Garner, 704 Rosemont, Big Spring Rosa M. George, 509 W. Second St., Stanton, Texas Perry Gholar, 1510 Nolan, Big Spring Elizabeth Gomez, 509 Raleigh St., Plainview Guillermo Gomez, 2107 Morrison, Big Spring Jennifer Gonzales, 2616 Hunter Dr., Big Spring James E. Gonzalez, 604 Neff St., Sweetwater Jeremy Goodman, 3471 Green Meadow #24, San Angelo
Kay Grant, 4405 N. Garfield #1005, Midland Isaiah Green, 4801 State St., Abilene
John Grima, 914 E. Sixth St., Big Spring Thomas E. Gross, 4100 S. Highway 87 #37, Big Spring
Lynn Guerrero, 203 W. Ave #3, Clayton, N.M. Melissa Gutierrez, 3310 SF Austin, No. 58, Brownwood
Sandra Ann Gutierrez, 1501 N. Fourth Place, 1312 S. Ave. L, Lamesa
Mike Haddix, 401 Humble St. Apt. E, Midland Dylan Hammons, 4401 E. 11th Place, Big Spring William J. Harman, HC 76, Box 147K-1, Big Spring Nicholas D. Hasenbalg, 207 W. Williams St. #9, Breckenridge
Ann Hashem, 120 Airbase Rd. 15-5, Big Spring Christine Henderson, 420 N. El Paso
Juanita Hernandez, 1502 Bluebird, Big Spring Scott Herrera, 4608 Ash St, Big Spring
Billy Dean Hill, 7117 Alissa, Rowlett, Texas Johnny R. Hill, 704 San Antonio, Big Spring Kaleb Hill, 910 Baylor, Big Spring
Shatiya Lasha Jenkins, 4590 N Texas #198 Odessa David Kelley, P.O Box 724, Salado
Joni D. Kelly, 3050 Co. Rd 139, Colorado Renola S. Kelly, 4503 LA Salle Circle, Colorado City Kimberly Jo Kennemur, 120 Hooser Rd., Big Spring Cynthea Lee Kent, Moved to Newport News, Virginia Kayle R. Lane, P.O Box 83965, Waco
Rafael Lemus, 1804 Mittel,big Spring
Jesse Paul Lopez, 101 Scurry St., Big Spring Ruben Lopez Jr., 107 Milburn St., Synder, Texas Clifford G. Lowe, 501 Circle, Big Spring Patricia D. Lyons, 7502 Interstate 27 number A, Lubbock
Aaron Christopher Mack, 2134 Bonham Ave., Odessa
Bruce Edward Mallard, P.O Box 3265 504 Westover, Big Spring
Barbara A. Marshall, P.O. Box 1065, Deming, New Mexico
James Martinez, P.O. Box 269, Ft. Davis
Rene N. Martinez, 8618 Serene Ridge, Big Spring, Texas
Victoria Josephine Martinez, 323 S. Main St., Loraine Karen Mccalister, 5925 Raton Ln. number 154, Ft. Worth
O’neal Mcclain, 911 17th St., Snyder
Diana Mccool, 504 Donley, Big Spring
Ethel Laverne Mcvae, 4202 Parkway Rd., Big Spring, Texas
Heriberto Palafox Mora, 1311 Mobile St., Big Spring Felicia Ornelas, 538 Westover Rd.
Dana Kay Peach, 1806 N 13th, Lamesa
Nicole Preston, 1605 E 11th place, Big Spring
Jacquelin Dannon Ramey, 1404 E 6th St. Big Spring Gilbert P. Ramirez, 1614 Settles, Big Spring Byron Roberts, 2206 Alabama St Big Spring Michael Robinson, 801 Anne St., Big Spring Veronica Romero, 103 Becker Rd., Big Spring
Yuri Lozano Rubio, 421 Cedar, P.O. Box 173, Colorado City
Polly Ann Rusk, 4201 W Hwy 80, Big Spring Elizabeth Salazar, 1808 Hearn, Big Spring, Texas Shane Skaggs, 1 Courtney Place, Apt. 301, Big Spring Derrick Dewayne Smith, 703 West 16th, San Angelo, Texas
Leon Torres, 1500 Lincoln, Big Spring
Michael Ray Watson, 1503 Tucson Rd., Big Spring Tamara Ruth Whitt, 1909 Morrison, 2526 Fairchild, Big Spring
Jamie Wiggins, 1905 Wasson Rd., Apt. #28, Big Spring
Warranty Deeds
Grantor: Bobby Porras and Amanda Porras Grantee: Joshua Robles and Gabrielle Robles Property: Tract 1: Lots 4-6, subdivision “C” in block 3, Fairview Heights Addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas; Tract 2: A certain parcel of land 10 feet in width Northward and Southward by one hundred forty feet in length Eastward and Westward abutting the South boundary line of Lot 6, subdivision “C” in block 3, Fairview Heights Addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas, more particularly described as follows
Date: January 21, 2021
Grantor: Lucia P. Gonzales
Grantee: Miguel A Reyes
Property: Lot 6, block 37, Cole and Strayhorn Addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to the proper map or plat of record in the office of the County Clerk of Howard County, Texas Date: November 24, 2020
Grantor: Miguel A. Reyes
Grantee: Billy Starr and Christina Menchaca Property: Lot 6, block 37, Cole and Strayhorn Addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to the proper map or plat of record in the office of the County Clerk of Howard County, Texas. Date: January 25, 2021
Grantor: M5 Royalty LLC
Grantee: H&P Boring Services LLC Property: Lots Nos. 3,4,16 and 17 in Sherrod Heights Subdivision in Section 27, block 32, T-1-N, T&P Ry. Co. Survey, Howard County, Texas according to proper map or plat of said subdivision of record. Date: January 25, 2021
Grantor: Jill Ann Willbanks as Executor of the Estate of Virginia Ruth Miller probated in County Court of Howard County, Texas
Grantee: Jill Ann Willbanks
Property: Being Lot 1, block 30, College Park Estates an addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to proper map or plat records in the Plat Records of Howard County, Texas.
Date: January 25, 2021
Grantor: Dustin Garrett, heir of Shirley Parnell, deceased
Grantee: Dustin Garrett
Property: Lot No. 7, in block No. 10, in Hall Addition to the City of Big Spring in Howard County, Texas according to proper plat thereof recorded in plat records of said county.
Date: January 29, 2021
Grantor: Chad Griffith Sr. and Kimberly Griffith a married couple
Grantee: K Lemons Investments LLC Property: Being all of Lot No. 3, in block No 32, original town of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to the proper map or plat of record in Envelope 10/A Plat Records of Howard County, Texas Date: January 26, 2021
Grantor: Rejenia Ann Anderson and Harriett Jean Raindl; heirs of Martha A. Mckinney, deceased Grantee: Tall Wall LLC
Property: Being Lot No. 19, block 29, College Park Estates, a subdivision of the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to the proper map or plat thereof of record in Plat Records of Howard County, Texas
Date: January 13, 2021
Grantor: Maxine Shaffer
Grantee: Gary Shaffer
Property: Lot No. 7, in block No. 5, in Park Hill Addition to the City of Big Spring, in Howard County, Texas according to proper plat of said addition of record in Deed Records of said Howard County, Texas Date: January 26, 2021
Grantor: Billy Ed Thomas, executor of the Estate of William Lawrence Cason Jr. deceased Grantee:james Anderson
Property: Lot No. 5 in block No. 2, in Whippoorwill Hill Addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas
Date: January 15, 2021
Grantor: James Anderson
Grantee: Michael Nairn
Property: Lot No. 5, in block No. 2, in Whippoorwill Hill Addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas
Date: January 26, 2021
Grantor: Rbrown Group LLC
Grantee: Joshua Archuleta and Tawnya Archuleta Property: Being all of Lot No. 2 in block No. 3, Douglass Addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County Texas, according to the map or plat of record in Envelope 10/A Plat Records of Howard County, Texas Date: January 22, 2021
Grantor: Tailor Dominguez and Cade Pryor, a married couple
Grantee: Kathy Jean Stevens
Property: Being all of Lot No. 10, in block No. 2, amending Highland South Addition an addition to the
City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to proper map or plat of record in Envelope 54/B Plat Records of Howard County, Texas
Date: January 29, 2021
Warranty Deeds with Vendor’s Lien
Grantor:halina Sosa and Richard Parsons aka Richard Parson
Grantee: Joseph Mark Hernandez
Property: Lot 3, block 1, Coronado Gardens Addition, an addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, according to the proper map or plat thereof of record in envelope 172/A, plat records of Howard County. Date: January 22, 2021
Grantor: Scott James Turner and Anne Marie Turner Grantee: Carlos J. Lopez and Priscilla Lopez Property: Tract 1: Being a 1.497 acre tract of land, more or less, out of the North 1/3 of the SE/4 of Section 44, block 32, T-2-N, T&P RR Co. Survey, Howard County, Texas described by metes and bounds. Tract 2: Being a 10’ wide water line easement for a 1.497 acre tract, more or less out of the North 1/3 of the SE/4 of Section 44, block 32, T-2-N, T&P RR Co. Survey. Date: January 22, 2021
Grantor: Jeremy M. Mills and Destiny Mills Grantee: Stephen Pople-stone
Property: Being Lot 5, block 1, Central Park Addition, an addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to the map or plat of record in Envelope 18/A, Plat Records of Howard County, Texas. Date: January 25, 2021
Grantor: Jill Ann Willbanks
Grantee: Fermin Puga Gutierrez and Stacey Lynn Coker
Property: Being Lot 1, block 30, College Park Estates, an addition to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to the proper map or plat records in the Plat Records of Howard County, Texas
Date: January 25, 2021
Grantor: Tom Vollmer, a single person person Grantee: Jeremy Mills
Property: The West 49.0’ of Lot No. 13 and the East 26 of Lot No. 12, in block No. 1, amended Highland South Addition No. 1, to the City of Big Spring, Howard County, Texas according to the amended plat thereof of record in Envelope 54/B, Plat Records of Howard County, Texas
Date: January 25, 2021