Look for These 5 Valentine’s Day Scams

Valentine's Day is Friday, and the love is in the Central Jersey air. I know a couple of people who are currently looking for love, and Valentine’s Day scams make it so much more difficult.

A single friend of mine told me that it’s much more difficult being single around any holiday, especially Valentine’s Day. There are many ways to find love and show your love, but there are also tons of scams out there preying on those who celebrate the day of love.

Here are some of the Valentine's Day scams and helpful tips to protect yourself from schemers and bad actors.

Online dating and romance scams are everywhere. One of the most common things scammers do first is create a fake profile on a dating app or website. They use photos of others and create an impressive profile. Then they build a trusting rapport with their victims. Eventually, they’re cleverly getting them to send them money. You should be wary of compliments that are followed by a request for personal information, money, or anyone who doesn’t want to meet in person.

There are tons of fake gift stores, these are online shops with “great deals.” The price is extremely low and looks awesome. As soon as you pay it’s all over. You lose your money and never get that amazing deal. Try to shop with well-known retailers and read reviews. If it seems too good to be true, it’s most likely that.

This is one that most probably wouldn’t think of as a Valentine's Day scam. The bad guys use phishing links containing malware. Once the card is opened, they have access to your device. They steal financial information and personal information. Make sure you know the source. Don’t click on random links or open an attachment from the unknown.

We all get phishing emails just about every day. They appear to be from your bank or a social media company and they look legit and are very convincing. Once you attempt to log in they have your credentials to access your real bank or social media account.
It’s simple to verify the sender's email address, and you should never share any personal information through email.

Scammers use social media platforms to create fake profiles, fake ads, or non-existent events related to Valentine's Day. They trick you into sharing personal information so they can access your financial information. Take your time, be careful when clicking, and be sure to verify everything.

Super Bowl LIX is officially in the rearview, with the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in a staggering 40-22 blowout. The game, itself, is always an attraction, as are the big-budget Super Bowl commercials.

As has been the trend for decades now, purchasing ad time during the Super Bowl comes at a hefty price. According to USA Today, the cost of a 30-second commercial went up in 2025 to a whopping $8 million. In 2023 and 2024, the cost of a 30-second commercial was $7 million.

The cost has gone up significantly since 2010. Back then, the average cost for a 30-second spot was $2.954 million. However, the most mind-blowing price USA Today shared was the cost of an ad during the first Super Bowl in 1967. All of those years ago, when the Big Game was broadcast on NBC and CBS, a 30-second ad had a whopping price tag of $37,500.

When companies drop big bucks like this, they really have a chance to make a splash. So, which ads stood out among the packed field of spots? Here is our list of the ten best Super Bowl commercials of 2025.

"Big Men on Cul-de-Sac" is a textbook example of the perfect Super Bowl commercial. It's funny, has a great soundtrack (shout out to Huey Lewis and the News!), and it's packed with big celebrities, including Shane Gillis, Post Malone, and Peyton Manning. If you grew up or currently live in a suburb like the one shown, this ad feels very familiar, especially when Gillis takes a shot at the HOA "breathing down my neck."

Some Super Bowl commercials tickle the funny bone, while others opt to hit you right in the feels. The latter was the strategy for this two-minute ad for Google Pixel 9. A father is seen practicing for a job interview and talks about the job that taught him the most. We're then taken on a journey of a father raising his daughter, from infancy to dropping her off at college. Even the toughest person will feel something watching this ad.

Pop culture is often a common theme when it comes to Super Bowl commercials, and Hellman's showed they understood the assignment with this throwback to the classic rom-com When Harry Met Sally. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (in that sweater!) star in this ad and recreate the infamous Katz's Deli scene. Sydney Sweeney guests saying the classic "I'll have what she's having" line, which is a fun surprise.

Liquid Death is a marketing master, so it's not surprising that they created a great Super Bowl ad. What makes this ad so special? It features an original jingle that's absurd and catchy! Go ahead, watch this ad, and try not to have "Drink on the job/Drink on the job/Everyone is drinking on the job" stuck in your head.

Little Caesars has a penchant for quirky ads, and they certainly leaned into that for their 60-second Super Bowl spot highlighting their Crazy Puffs. Eugene Levy was the perfect star for the literal eyebrow-raising ad.

Speaking of quirky, the Super Bowl ad for Mountain Dew Baja Blast brought that and then some. Certainly did not expect to see legendary singer Seal performing a reworked version of "Kiss From A Rose" as a literal Seal during this year's Big Game commercials, but kudos to whichever ad firm thought of this one. It is delightfully bizarre!

Nike recruited some of the biggest names in women's sports today in this powerful 60-second spot, including Jordan Chiles, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, Sha-Carri Richardson, A'ja Wilson, and Sophia Wilson. The icing on the cake is recent Best Rap Album Grammy Award-winner Doechii providing the voiceover. This is truly a chef's kiss moment.

Some Super Bowl ads take a little bit of time to make a massive impression. At first, this Ram Trucks ad starring Glenn Powell as a different kind of Goldilocks seemed just fine, but then, Van Halen's "Panama" starts playing, and things take a turn for the hilariously insane.

Another David Beckham? And he's played by Matt Damon?! That's the premise for this 60-second Super Bowl ad for Stella Artois. Apparently, the soccer icon has had a twin brother this whole time named "Other David," who's now living in America. Not only do they have a genetic bond, but they both love drinking Stella.

Pharmaceutical company Novartis brought an important message via their 60-second spot, which highlighted the importance of early detection of breast cancer. After showing chests of all shapes and sizes, the ad cuts to the following text: "So much attention. Yet so ignored. Over 6 million women watching today's game may be diagnosed with breast cancer. The ad closes with iconic comedian and breast cancer survivor Wanda Sykes talking about how early detection saved her life.