Online dating is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to meet new people. In fact, there are now more than 300 million users on dating apps worldwide – but with this growing popularity comes an inevitable increase in the number of fake profiles and online dating scams.
In recent years, we have seen a rise in news stories about individuals falling victim to virtual love scams. If you're looking for love online, it's important to understand the risks involved before uploading your profile and photos.
Here are six ways to avoid falling for online dating scams.
1. Counter-Check and Verify Their Accounts
Before you send your first message, ask yourself whether the person you're messaging is who they say they are. If they've never posted anything personal on their profile or account, likely, they're not who they say they are.
You can check their profiles by searching through the search bar to find their name and profile – if the person isn't listed there despite having posted before, it's a good indication that this could be a fake profile.
2. Always Meet in Public
Online meeting places such as coffee shops and restaurants are often avoided by scammers who want to avoid detection and keep the meeting a secret. If there's no indication of who the person you're messaging is, you're likely talking to a scammer.
Move your date offline for safety, and don't meet in an empty public place such as an unsecured parking lot. Regardless of where you choose to have a date, you must tell a family member or a friend about it.
3. Stay Firm, and Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Proof of Identity or Address
If someone asks you to send them money or gifts to prove your identity or address, it could be a scammer trying to get money off you before they meet in person.
Always ask for proof they are who they are and that they will be able to show up in person before promising future payments or gifts. If it feels too good to be true, chances are it is.
4. Don't Be Too Quick To Give Away Your Social Media Handles
When scammers contact you, they will try to find as much information about you as they can. Scammers often establish relationships with you by getting your phone numbers and location.
They will ask for personal details such as your birthday, address, social media handles, and even phone number. If you suspect a scam, you should avoid giving away your official WhatsApp number. It protects you from possible WhatsApp dating scams.
5. Beware of Someone Who Moves Too Quickly Romantically
When it comes to dating and being in a relationship, most people want to make it work. This is why you must let someone know about your intentions as soon as possible.
If you find yourself falling for someone quickly, ensure you're not too eager. It's important to move at your own pace and ensure you don't rush into things with a stranger or a potential scammer. Slow is always better.
6. Be Careful of Someone Who Provides Answers Too Quickly
Many scammers will offer answers that help them appear more knowledgeable than they are in an attempt to pad their reputation or mask possible red flags during the initial meeting.
Make sure you ask questions to find out more about who you're talking with rather than trusting everything they tell you immediately. If they can only stick to one answer, this is another sign that they could be scamming. Play it safe and be cautious at all times when trying to date someone new.
Putting It Together
New online dating sites pop up all the time. While some may fail to get much traction, others manage to thrive.
With so many people meeting potential new partners online, it's no wonder many internet users are falling in love left and right with people they've never met in person.
Scammers know this too, which is why so many innocent singles have been duped out of money or their personal information through these sites. However, with the above information, you get to avoid falling for these online dating scams and cons.
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