Our smartphones have enhanced our quality of life. We cannot only use these devices for our daily transactions; they also help us do more. These devices help us interact with each other on social media platforms. It was just inevitable that, after social media platforms, online dating apps would follow.
The internet provides users with several options to choose from, not only from a dating app but also the choice of dates as per preferences. The number of users has exploded over time, and it has become a common trend for individuals to find dates through online dating sites.
Romance scams are common on online dating apps. As per the Federal Trade Commission, 7,000 US citizens fell victim to such scams, with $1.3 billion lost to scammers. Although in 2023, the number of US citizens was 64,003, $1.14 billion was lost to online romance scams.
Although online dating websites have been around for more than 20 years, they are gaining popularity as smartphones have become more and more accessible. Thus, the reach of such dating apps has increased, with several million people in the US alone using such services.
Although it is challenging to avoid scammers on a dating app, you can follow these steps to mitigate the probability of getting scammed online while searching for a date.
Chossing A Dating App
Even though there are several online dating sites and apps to choose from, sticking to a popular one will reduce your chances of encountering scammers to a lesser degree. While selecting the app, research how many users are subscribed to it. Go through the review section and read about both good and bad experiences that users may have encountered. Understand how the developers of the sites have reacted and provided satisfactory solutions and answers while handling the situation.
Search for the best dating sites online; if the site is okay, go through the terms and conditions mentioned by the firm. Also, look for ways to contact the firm should there be a problem while browsing the site or if you fall victim to a romance scam.
Paid or Free
Several online dating sites and apps have paid and free versions. When you subscribe to a paid version of an online dating app, you are investing money in the app. Since you are paying for the site, your chances of encountering a scammer are pretty slim.
Scammers, on the other hand, will be more likely to use free versions as they frequently need to open and close accounts after scamming their victims or when their victims realize that they have been scammed.
Personal Information
When you open up an account on an online dating app or website, it is mandatory to fill in information that might be extremely detailed. Details such as your date of birth, the city in which you reside, your hobbies and interests, and so forth. These details are required so that it becomes easier for the system to match a date based on your preferences and your location.
Another approach that these online dating sites and apps take is to provide certain quizzes frequently. These quizzes will ask for details that may not be covered while you create an account. These are extra details that will be asked for and saved in the database, which would help the algorithms find perfect matches for you to choose from.
However, you must understand that you will be providing sensitive details that can be misused should you be a victim of a romance scam. To avoid falling for such online scams, you need to protect the information that you share online.
Protecting Your Details On Online Dating Websites
Since you will be sharing your personal details on online dating sites, follow these steps:
- Confirm that the site no longer saves your preferences or details once you close your account. Some sites will either delete it or retain details, as the chances of a user reactivating their account after a long period are high.
- Some of these firms will allow you to keep your information private in their privacy settings, while others will keep it public. Check how many of your details you would like to keep private and others public.
- Go through the privacy policy of the firm; they will allow you to understand how much they will keep it public and others private. Check how much information will be shared with the third party after collecting personal data while creating the account and through quizzes. Also, confirm what details will be shared by the platform when it recommends your account for a possible match.
- Also, confirm that the photos you use while creating the account are only meant for other members to view or that they are also used for advertising their platforms online.
Profile Creation
When you create a dating account, you want to be attractive enough to entice your potential date. You’d want to include the most attractive photo. However, care must be taken so that it cannot be misused by those with malicious intent.
While creating a user name, ensure it is unique and not used on other platforms like messaging apps, social media apps, or email in general. Avoid including your date of birth.
You would also like to include what you do for a living; including the kind of work you do is okay, but including the name of the company is not. Avoid any details that can be linked to your accounts or that can be found when someone tries to search for you online.
Create a dedicated email for all dating sites. Such steps will allow you to keep
Choosing A Photo
A lot can be inferred from the background you use while clicking a photo. With the help of the latest technology, one can trace and track you down by deciphering the background you keep.
Avoid sharing live location and motion photos while traveling or otherwise. Based on the photo, one can track you down using geo-location apps. Avoid sharing any photos that are used on your social media platforms. Use a photo with a simple background that is not being used on any of your other accounts. You can go crazy with a selfie to make your account look crazy and wild to attract your potential date.
Keeping Communication Safe
Although it is quite normal to exchange phone numbers and email addresses, with the threat of a possible romance scam, it is advised not to share them immediately with your date. Your date might sweep you head over heels and may also suggest that you carry out your chatting on a messaging platform like WhatsApp or Telegram.
You must be aware that the chances of you falling victim to WhatsApp scams, Tinder scams, and Telegram scams are high if you are not careful enough.
Developers of these online dating apps are quite aware of romance scams and are ready to help out their victims if their financial interests are at stake. However, such a scam must be pulled off on their dating platform and provide evidence for it. Moderators will frequently check for anything remotely offensive or threatening.
It is for these reasons that scammers are in a hurry to exchange their phone numbers and email addresses and continue chatting on different messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Create a new email ID that cannot be traced to you, and share it with your date. Should you be a victim of any scam, the scammer will only have your email that is not linked to you. So no harm is done.
Create a Google Voice account that will generate a phone number. Share this number with your date, and any call made to that number will be directed towards your phone number. Again, this is a precautionary measure that will have no link to you.
Ensure You Don’t Fall For A Catfish
Catfishing is a kind of scam where scammers will ensure that they have all the sensitive details of their potential victims before making their move. Scammers will create a fake account and impersonate an identity that will be attractive and entice their potential victims.
These scammers are called catfishers, and they prefer to gather all the information about their victims through online chat. They will frequently make silly excuses for not meeting in person, talking over the phone, making video calls, or using Google Meet. They will do anything and everything to avoid being seen or heard.
If the account looks too good to be true, then the probability of it being fake is high. Do a reverse photo search online and check the details that show up. If the name or details that are shared with you are completely different from the ones that have been provided, then you are in touch with a potential catfisher.
Your Choice of Date
If anyone says, “Is online dating worth it?” then it is. Several paid and free online dating sites and apps allow you to express your desires and offer your sexual preferences based on your sexual orientation. Such online dating websites and apps allow you to search for and seek a date that has the same sexual preferences and orientations. However, one must be cautious while dealing with potential dates, as they may not be what they project themselves to be.
In recent years, sugar daddy scams have been on the rise. Many sugar babies are fooled into making a fake offer to make a huge amount of money by spending time with sugar daddies and mommies. Several young individuals are ready to spend time with old, wealthy individuals for a certain amount. Most of those college students are ready to become sugar babies. However, such romance scams can push them further into a financial burden.
Spotting Potential Online Dating Scams
Even though smartphones have made it easier to find potential dates, the chances of falling for scammers instead of genuine dates are quite high. You may even fall for stalkers or catfishers under the guise of a potential date. We have provided a few tale-telling signs that are common with scammers so that you can avoid them and hook up with a genuine one.
- They are generally a flight or two away from you and will confess their love to you very quickly.
- They shower you with fake compliments for your mediocre achievements.
- They will give the impression that they have accumulated wealth through sheer hard work.
- They will generate sympathy through a fake sob story and will have inconsistency in their story.
- They will all of a sudden lose their wealth and frequently ask for money in one way or another.
- They ask for money with a fake promise of returning it to you.
- Since they make fake accounts, the photos used by them are fake; thus, they will avoid any face time with you when you try to make a video call.
- They will play with your emotions and try to convince you to do their bidding.
- They might pull you into an investment scam under the guise of providing financial security.
- You can ask them to provide you with their latest photo to reverse search, but there is a high chance they will make some excuses to provide one.
- They might blackmail you by sending you romantic videos and recording you when you are in a compromised position.
- If they reply instantaneously, then you might be chatting with a bot. You can confirm it if you send them a message and the reply does not make any sense.
Steps To Take Against A Scammer
Now that you know how to spot scammers, you need to take steps to avoid getting yourself involved, even for the sake of entertainment or curiosity.
- Be alert if they are a flight or two away from you.
- English is not their first language, so scammers make several grammatical and punctual errors.
- Do not share your personal details and financial details with someone whom you have met online.
- Try to check the consistency of their stories when they chat with you. If they are inconsistent, then you are dealing with a scammer.
- Avoid sending money to them through gift cards, wire transfers, bank transfers, cryptocurrency transactions, and so forth.
- Cut off all ties with them when they ask for money.
- Avoid taking financial advice from a stranger you have met online.
Meeting Date In Real Life
You are the only one who can answer the question, “Is online dating worth it?” once you meet your date face-to-face. You must remember that you have not yet met your date and need to be cautious until you do so. There are a lot of things that your potential date might be hiding. Thus, you need to take these precautions to protect yourself.
- Before going out on a date, you need to tell your trusted friends the details of where and when you will be meeting.
- Ask your date to directly meet you at the venue instead of picking you up. So the date does not know where you stay, should the date not go as planned.
- Ensure you are meeting in a crowded place where there are plenty of bystanders should your date go south.
- There are some bars that offer “special” drinks to women if your date has a “bad taste.” They will keep an eye on you and are ready to assist you if the date goes south.
- If you are uncomfortable meeting one-on-one, you can always request a date to meet in a group that shares your common interests. Many online dating firms facilitate group events like trekking, cooking courses, art courses, and so forth.
Final Thoughts
It is advisable that you learn as much about online dating scams as possible. When you meet perfect dates online, scrutinize each and every move made by them. It might seem harsh at times, but it is better to safeguard your personal safety and avoid falling for a romance scam.
