SCAMS: With Valentine’s Day looming ahead, many of you are no doubt thinking about how to make someone special feel loved.

But sometimes googly-eyes and stomach butterflies get in the way of common sense.

This year, state police are warning residents of “sweetheart scams” — a “way for thieves to trick strangers into sending them large amounts of cash.”

“The perpetrator typically preys on the loneliness of their target to quickly build trust and will then solicit money by saying they need to purchase a passport or plane ticket, to pay off medical bills, to buy a new computer or something similar,” police explained.

Anyone can be a victim of a “sweetheart” or “romance” scam, but police targets are often men or women over age 60. The scams end with the target sending large amounts of money to someone they have never met.

That money is hard to get back, according to police. Also, embarrassment stops many victims from reporting the loss. However, reporting the incident to police can prevent the person from experiencing further loss through blackmail or identity theft.

Meeting people online can be a great way to connect with others you would have never been able to meet otherwise.

But following a few rules can keep your finances — and your heart — intact. Police offer these tips:

 • Don’t send money to someone you have not met in person.

“Scammers use wire transfer services like Western Union because the transactions are difficult to trace. Other methods include pre-paid credit cards and gift cards.”

 • Enter into the relationship slowly, and be cautious if someone says they are falling in love after only a few online conversations.

 • Seek the opinion of a friend or family member, and know that scammers often ask that a relationship be kept secret.

 • Do an internet search to see if there are other profiles with similar information and photos, as scammers will often steal images and information to make profiles.

 • “Trust your instincts.” If something doesn’t feel right, say something. If you have fallen victim to a scam, report it to police.