How to Spot Dating App Scams: Protect Yourself While Searching for Love

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In today’s digital age, dating apps have become a popular option for meeting potential romantic partners. Though there are many upsides to this matchmaking method, such as convenience and access to a large pool of singles, online dating also comes with its downsides, including the risk of encountering scammers. Online romance scams have been on the rise, with reports to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) showing a significant increase in incidents—nearly 30% higher in 2022 compared to 2021. In 2021 alone, people reported losing a staggering $547 million to romance scams. And of course, let’s not discount the severe emotional distress experienced by the victims.  So while dating apps can be great tools, it's important to learn to recognize the red flags of dating app scams and protect yourself while navigating the search for love online.

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How Romance Scams Work

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Romance scammers often start on dating sites or apps, creating fake profiles to lure in potential victims. They strike up conversations, build relationships through regular chatting, and gain their target's trust. Once trust is established, they fabricate a story, ask for money, and then vanish.

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Warning Signs: How to Spot Dating App Scams

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1. Requests for Financial Assistance

One of the most obvious signs of a scam is when someone asks for money. They might create a sense of urgency by claiming they are in a sudden personal crisis and need financial help. No matter how convincing their story may seem, never send money to someone you’ve only met online.

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2. Claims of Being Abroad

Scammers often claim to be from the United States but are currently living, working, or traveling abroad. This excuse helps them avoid meeting in person and can be used to justify asking for financial assistance for travel expenses, medical emergencies, or other fabricated needs. Common stories include working on an oil rig, being deployed in the military, or being a doctor in an international organization.

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3. Sympathetic Stories and Inconsistent Details

Scammers often weave elaborate stories to elicit sympathy, such as being recently widowed with children. Additionally, they may tell inconsistent or grandiose tales that don’t add up. Trust your instincts if their stories seem too good to be true or have inconsistencies.

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4. Disappearing and Reappearing Under Different Names

If someone suddenly disappears from the dating app and then reappears under a different name, it’s a major red flag. Scammers often change identities to avoid detection after their initial attempts to scam someone fail.

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5. Vague Answers to Specific Questions

When you ask specific questions, a scammer might provide vague or evasive answers. They often avoid giving details that could expose their lies. Genuine individuals will usually be open and detailed in their responses.

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6. Overly Complimentary and Romantic Too Early

Beware of someone who showers you with compliments and expresses deep feelings early in your communication. Scammers use flattery and romance to lower your defenses and gain your trust quickly. They might tell you you’re their soulmate, profess their love within days or weeks, or speak about future plans together too soon. Genuine relationships take time to develop, so be cautious if someone is trying to rush intimacy and emotional connection.

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7. Requests for Your Address

If someone asks for your home or work address under the pretense of sending flowers or gifts, be cautious. This could be a ploy to gather personal information for fraudulent activities. It’s best to wait until you’ve met in person and established trust before sharing such details.

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 8. Disjointed Language and Poor Grammar

Scammers often don’t write in a way that is consistent with the high level of education they profess to have. This can be a sign that they are not who they claim to be. Pay attention to inconsistencies in their communication style.

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9. Avoiding Video Calls or Dates

Scammers often make excuses to avoid video calls or in-person dates. If someone continually dodges your attempts to meet face-to-face, it could be a sign they have something to hide. Genuine matches will be excited to connect with you in real life.

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10. Profiles That Seem Too Perfect

A legitimate dating profile usually has several photos of the person in different situations, with one or two that show the person's whole body, not just part of their face. In contrast, a profile might be fake if it looks too perfect, with overly polished photos that resemble stock images or AI-generated pictures. If their interests and hobbies almost exactly match yours and seem too good to be true, they probably are. 

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Better Safe Than Sorry: Top Tips for Staying Safe

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1. Verify Their Identity

In addition to using reverse image search on their profile photos, try to gather as much information as possible and perform a Google search. Look for any inconsistencies or signs that their information might be fabricated. Genuine people will typically have some online presence.

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2. Get Advice or Help

If something feels off, don't hesitate to get the opinion of trusted friends or family members. They might catch red flags that you missed. You can also seek advice from professionals who specialize in online dating and profile management, like our own services. Having an outside perspective can help you see things more clearly and protect you from potential scams.

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3. Keep Communication on the App

Avoid moving to personal email or messaging apps too quickly. Dating apps have features designed to protect users, adding an additional layer of security.  Scammers prefer to communicate outside of these platforms to avoid detection, so might push towards moving your communication off the app as quickly as possible. 

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4. Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, trust your instincts. Scammers are skilled at manipulation, but your intuition is a powerful tool. It's better to be cautious and protect yourself than to risk getting scammed.

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5. Report Suspicious Behavior

If you suspect someone is a scammer, report their profile to the dating app administrators. This helps protect others from falling victim. Most dating apps have easy-to-use reporting features that can help keep the platform safer for everyone.

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Dating apps can be a wonderful tool for meeting new people, but it's important to stay vigilant. By being aware of these common scams and knowing the red flags to watch for, you can protect yourself and enjoy a safer online dating experience.

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