Salem – As people celebrate Valentine’s Day and look for love online, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning consumers to be on guard against romance scams and so-called “relationship investment scams,” a fast-growing form of fraud that blends emotional manipulation with fake investment opportunities.

Relationship investment scams are a recent and particularly damaging type of romance fraud, causing reported losses in the billions. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported $12.5 billion in investment-related scam losses in 2024, a figure that has tripled in just three years. In the North American Securities Administrators Association’s (NASAA) annual survey of top investor threats, romance and affinity scams consistently rank among the most serious risks facing communities nationwide. The good news is awareness works, and sharing information can help protect the people you care about most.

“This Valentine’s Day, make sure Cupid is aiming for your heart and not your wallet,” said TK Keen, administrator of DFR, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Romance and relationship investment scams prey on trust and emotion, often leaving victims with devastating financial losses. If someone you meet online starts talking about investments, promises easy money, or pressures you to act quickly, that’s a clear warning sign. Love should never come with a request for money, and checking DFR’s website before investing can help stop a scam before it breaks both your heart and your bank account.”

Relationship scams often begin on dating apps, social media platforms, messaging apps, or through unexpected “wrong number” text messages. Criminals use fake profiles, photos, videos, and even artificial intelligence-generated voices to appear attractive, credible, and successful.

Once contact is made, scammers send frequent messages to build trust and emotional attachment before asking for money. What often starts as a small request can quickly escalate into devastating financial losses. In other cases, they often claim to have made significant profits trading cryptocurrency, precious metals, or foreign currency thanks to special knowledge or insider help. Victims are told investing is easy and are encouraged to participate, only to be directed to fraudulent trading platforms secretly operated by organized criminal groups.

These scams do not discriminate. People of all ages and backgrounds have been victimized, though people who live alone or spend significant time on social media or online discussion groups may be more vulnerable. Scams succeed because they exploit powerful emotions such as financial stress, loneliness, excitement, or fear. While these scams have existed for years, they evolve with the headlines and technology. State regulators are increasingly seeing complaints involving digital assets and artificial intelligence. If you believe that you have been a victim, or have any questions, call DFR at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

You can find more information on fraud awareness and how to avoid scams on DFR’s website.

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

Salem – Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen has been appointed to several key National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) committees and task forces for 2026, keeping Oregon at the forefront of national insurance policy and consumer protection work.

Keen has been appointed as a member of the Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee and the Financial Regulation Standards and Accreditation (F) Committee. He has also been assigned to the Consumer Liaison Committee and the American Indian and Alaska Native Liaison Committee. In addition, Keen continues to ensure that Oregon is at the national table on efforts to improve the affordability and availability of insurance in general, as well as climate change and wildfire issues impacting insurance throughout the West.

Promoting and listening to consumer advocates in the insurance space is critical work and ensures a balance of Oregon and national perspectives as the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) pursues its policy goals. Having these national relationships and trust is paramount to continuing partnerships and sets a policy direction that emphasizes consumer protection. DFR regularly recovers millions of dollars for Oregonians through its consumer protection function.  

Oregon has nine federally recognized tribes, and engaging in tribal priorities at the national level will help the state stay at the forefront of new and developing ideas.

“These assignments make sure Oregon has a strong seat at the table on the issues that matter most to our consumers and tribal communities,” Keen said. “From property and casualty and life insurance, to keeping tribal members at the forefront, these roles will help us advocate for Oregonians and continue to produce strong consumer protections and a stable insurance market.”

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) urges employers and workers across industries to join Oregon’s annual Safety Break event for a celebration of the importance of creating and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions.

Safety Break for Oregon – the Wednesday, May 13, stand-down for worker safety and health – offers an opportunity for employers, supervisors, workers, safety committee members, and safety and health professionals to pause their operations and demonstrate the high value they place on protecting people from harm while on the job.

Sign up now. The event includes a prize drawing for participants. Get Safety Break ideas, logos, sample awards, and other free resources by visiting the Safety Break for Oregon website.

“Safety Break brings people together to have open and productive conversations about safety and health,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “It is not merely a symbolic event. It is a time to step back and reflect on what’s working, discuss what we can do better, and to prioritize, plan, and take action.”

Coordinated by Oregon OSHA, Safety Break for Oregon is now in its 23rd year of putting a spotlight on the need to minimize or eliminate hazards that can cause serious injury or illness to workers. Employers and workers choose how they want to participate. Activities may include providing a special safety or health training, assessing where safety and health can be improved at your jobsite, or celebrating your successes by recognizing safety committee members and emerging safety leaders.

Oregon OSHA encourages employers and workers to share their Safety Break activities on social media on Facebook and LinkedIn with #SafetyBreak. Participants are welcome to use free Oregon OSHA resources as part of their Safety Break activities. Resources include:

• Consultation services – help with safety and health programs, and hands-on training
• Technical specialists – guidance on applying rules to workplaces
• Education and training services – multimedia training and in-person workshops
• Resource Center – borrow videos and books, stream videos, and order publications

Employers that sign up online by Friday, May 8, and participate in Safety Break for Oregon will be entered to win one of three $100 checks to be used for a luncheon of their choice.

The prizes will go to participating companies as part of a random drawing. The SHARP Alliance sponsors the contest. The nonprofit group promotes safety and health management by encouraging teamwork and cooperation among people, employers, and organizations to improve workplace health and safety for Oregon workers.

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

A two-day event in Eugene will offer employers and workers opportunities to hear from experts about how to create and maintain safe and healthy working conditions. Topics include everything from the importance of safety committees and the keys to a successful safety culture to best practices for electrical safety and tips on designing a strong heat-illness prevention program.

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA) – a division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services – joins the Cascade Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and Lane County Human Resource Association in encouraging employers and workers to attend the 21st biennial Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference, to be held March 3-4 at the Graduate by Hilton Eugene, 66 E. Sixth Ave.

On Tuesday, March 3, the conference will feature a keynote presentation by Dale Lesinski, vice president of DiVal Safety Equipment. His presentation, “Safe 4 the Right Reasons,” will show attendees how delivering a personal reason to adopt safe behaviors is essential to achieving desirable outcomes. Making safety and health personal, and appealing to human nature – along with positive messages – lead to safe and healthy behaviors that are sustainable, according to Lesinski. 

Lesinski will also conduct a breakout session focusing on the keys to building a successful safety culture, including employee engagement, sustainability, safety messaging, emotional intelligence, and organizational safety structure.

The Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference also features a special networking event at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. The event involves the Cascade Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Women in Safety Excellence, and the Lane County Human Resource Association. It will provide attendees an opportunity to meet safety and health professionals in the region and to learn about the organizations. Light refreshments will be served. Those interested may RSVP to Leigh Manning, leiman@saif.com, by Saturday, Feb. 28. Attendees will receive an email confirmation before the event.  

The conference, which includes awards, exhibits, and lunch, offers a variety of workplace safety and health topics. They include:

• I’m on the Safety Committee, Now What?
• Oregon’s Best-Kept Secret: Unlocking the Employer-at-Injury and Preferred Worker Programs
• Fall Protection: Formal Equipment Inspections
• Make the Unseen Seen: Managing Psychosocial Risks at Work
• Is It Getting Hot in Here? Oregon OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Rule Requirements
• Is That Confined Space Permit Required? Yes or No?
• Foundation of Trust
• What to Expect from an Oregon OSHA Inspection
• Behavioral Health Emergency and Disaster Management
• Confined Space: Elements of an Effective Program

Registration for the two-day event is $295. Tuesday-only attendance is $150. Wednesday-only attendance is $150. Register now: safetyseries.cventevents.com/cascade26. For more information about Oregon OSHA safety and health conferences, go online, send an email to oregon.conferences@dcbs.oregon.gov, or call 503-947-7411.

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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.