CHICAGO (WLS) -- Dating may be on your mind in February, the month of love, but there is a warning about dating apps and romance scams.
It's estimated that $547 million was lost to romance scams in the U.S. in 2021, a record high.
SEE ALSO | Quick Tip: How to avoid online dating scams as Valentine's Day approaches
Social Catfish, a company that helps to verify photos and online identities, released a study on the most "catfished" states in America after analyzing the most recent FBI and FTC data released in 2022. In Illinois, 591 victims lost $19,785,612 to romance scams in 2021, with an average loss of $33,478 per victim.
RELATED | Dating Sunday: How to avoid romance scammers when dating online