The Rise of Dating Scams

With the rise of online dating, the number of dating scams has also increased. These scams can take many forms, but they all have the same goal: to trick unsuspecting individuals into giving away their money or personal information.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost a total of $201 million to romance scams in 2019. This figure is up from $143 million in 2018, highlighting the growing threat that dating scams pose to people around the world.

How Dating Scams Work

Dating scams can take many different forms, but they all have one thing in common: they involve someone pretending to be someone they're not in order to gain trust and ultimately scam their victim out of money or personal information.

The Catfish

One of the most common forms of dating scams is the catfish. In a catfishing scam, someone creates a fake profile on a dating site or app and uses it to lure unsuspecting individuals into a relationship. The catfish will often use photos and information stolen from someone else's profile in order to create a convincing persona.

Once the victim has been lured into a relationship, the catfish will typically start asking for money or personal information. They may claim to need money for an emergency, or they may ask for sensitive information like social security numbers or bank account details.

The Fake Profile

Another common form of dating scam involves fake profiles. In this type of scam, the scammer creates a profile on a dating site or app using fake photos and information. They will then use this profile to try and make contact with as many people as possible.

Once they have made contact with someone, the scammer will typically try to build trust by chatting and flirting with their victim. They may even arrange to meet up in person in order to further build trust.

Once the victim has been drawn in, the scammer will typically start asking for money or personal information. They may claim to need money for an emergency, or they may ask for sensitive information like social security numbers or bank account details.

Protecting Yourself From Dating Scams

While it's impossible to completely eliminate the risk of falling victim to a dating scam, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

Do Your Research

Before you start chatting with someone on a dating site or app, take some time to do your research. Look up their profile pictures using Google's reverse image search tool to see if they are being used elsewhere online. You can also run a quick background check using a service like BeenVerified to see if there are any red flags.

Be Wary of Requests for Money or Personal Information

If someone you've just met online starts asking for money or personal information, it's a major red flag. Be very wary of anyone who claims to need money for an emergency or who asks for sensitive information like social security numbers or bank account details.

Meet in a Public Place

If you do decide to meet up with someone in person, be sure to meet in a public place like a coffee shop or restaurant. Never let them pick you up from your home or office.

Trust Your Instincts

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and be wary of anyone who seems too perfect or who is moving too quickly.

In Conclusion

Dating scams are a growing problem in today's digital age, but by taking some simple precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim. Always be wary of requests for money or personal information, and never let your guard down until you're absolutely sure you can trust someone.