Valentine’s Day is over but a number of consumer alert groups are focusing on making people aware to watch out for scammers on online dating websites. Scammers go after unsuspecting victims by setting up fake profiles and then going after your heart strings. They will spend a great deal of time to gain your interest and trust with stories about themselves to build a relationship.

Basically the way it works is that you will meet someone on one of the many legitimate social networking sites. The person will claim to have similar interests with you and have had a similar upbringing. Over a period of several weeks or months, they will start to tell you that they have strong feelings for you and will try to get you to communicate off the website or in-person. After gaining your trust, they will start to tell you a story of why they are in need of financial assistance because of a family crisis, illness or something they feel will get you involved.

No one is saying that it’s not worth a try to find love on these dating websites, but if you do, protect yourself. If someone tries to get you to communicate off the website, consider the idea thoroughly. Don’t ever send money or give personal information about yourself to someone you have met online. Especially watch out for people who say they are Americans but are currently overseas. Regardless of how much you want to believe their story, if they are asking for money it’s most likely not legitimate.

If you have found yourself in legal trouble due to a scam or theft you have perpetrated to get money out of unsuspecting individuals, you will most likely find yourself with some jail time, fines, lawyers fees, financial restitution, community service work and theft education classes. A judge will be want to make sure that this behavior does not repeat itself, so often times court mandated theft classes are required with the goal that the perpetrator will learn new skills to stop the behavior.

Interesting, educational and convenient theft classes are now offered via the Internet. Just get prior approval from your court system to fulfill this requirement with a distance learning class and you will find yourself on your way to changing your life for the better. Online theft classes provide the same, if not more current education that is available in a traditional classroom, but can be taken instead from any web-based computer device. This is highly beneficial because the offender doesn’t have to miss any more work to get the requirement completed. Online theft classes are available 24/7 and the client can go at his or her own pace to finish the class. No driving across town to meet a teacher’s schedule but instead you are in control of how quickly you get through the material.

Classes are designed to fulfill court requirements and are therefore available in 4, 8, 10 and 16-hour increments. When the class is completed, a Certificate of Completion will be mailed out to you. This is the documentation that the court accepts to prove you successfully fulfilled the mandate. Ask your judge today for the option of taking an online theft class. You will be happy with the education and convenience provided.