The online dating world has brought many great opportunities for people to engage with one another and find love, but also many dangers, and it’s one of the most controversial issues these days. In fact, according to the FBI, online romance scams reports tripled themselves during the years 2012-2016.
Most people who go on dating sites are genuinely looking for love. 49% of dating platform users in the United States are looking for an exclusive partner, and 20% for a non-exclusive partner.
Key Takeaways
- Verify Online Identities: Before getting too involved, search for your match on social media or Google. A genuine person will usually have some online presence. If they claim they don't due to military or secret service reasons, consider it a red flag.
- Check Their Photos: Use reverse image search tools like Google Images or TinEye to see if their pictures appear elsewhere, especially on stock photo sites. Multiple appearances can indicate a fake profile.
- Never Send Money: No matter how convincing their story, avoid wiring money or sharing your credit card details with someone you've only met online. If you've already done so, contact your credit card company immediately.
- Be Cautious with Ads and Pop-ups: Avoid clicking on enticing ads or pop-ups featuring attractive individuals promising love. These can lead to scams. Installing a security tool like Guardio can help alert and protect you from such threats.
Clean up your browser and prevent future scams
When someone on a dating site isn’t who they say they are, the danger begins. One case could be that it’s a Catfish, motivated by reasons of boredom, loneliness, and revenge to someone. Even if they won’t ask for money, they can cause emotional damage. The bigger threat, however, are the online romance scammers that try to convince innocent people to send them money or credit card information, all in the name of love.
Dating sites can be great, and a splendid modern way to find love, meet people, and fight loneliness. Along with the known sites like match.com, there are a lot of fake dating sites that try to lure you in. You can easily avoid these by installing a security tool like Guardio which will protect you from such scams.
With caution in mind, you can benefit from all the dating sites have to offer and find true love or create friendships.
5 rules to follow to make sure you don’t get tied up in romantic scam
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Google the person, search them on social media. A real person should have some online presence. If they say they don’t because they are in the military or some secret service, don’t buy it. Stop talking to them immediately.
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Once you find or receive pictures, use a reverse search tool like Google Images or Tineye. If you see the photo comes up on many sites, especially stock image sites, that’s one big, bright red flag.
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Never, ever, wire money to someone you don’t know, and never give credit card information either. If you did, contact your credit card company immediately.
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Beware of clickbait ads and pop-ups. It’s tempting to click on advertisements with beautiful people that promise to find love. Install a safety tool like Guardio to alert and protect you when something fishy or phishy comes up.
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Did we say never wire money to someone you don’t know?
Share these tips with your loved ones to keep them safe.
Pro Tip: Guard Your Heart and Devices with These Online Dating Safety Steps
Online dating can be fun, but scammers often target users with clever tricks. Protect yourself by following these easy steps:
- Never share personal information too soon: Scammers might ask for details like your address, workplace, or financial info. Keep these private until you’ve built trust.
- Beware of “love bombing” messages: If someone you just met online floods you with flattery or declarations of love, it’s a tactic to lower your defenses. Take things slow.
- Verify their identity via video call: Suggest a casual video chat to ensure their profile matches the person. Avoid excuses like broken cameras or poor connectivity—these can be red flags.
- Report suspicious behavior: Most dating platforms have reporting features. Use them if you encounter someone who seems deceptive or aggressive.
By staying cautious and vigilant, you can enjoy the benefits of online dating without falling prey to scams.
Conclusion
The world of online dating offers great opportunities for connection, love, and companionship, but it also comes with significant risks. While most users genuinely seek meaningful relationships, the prevalence of online romance scams serves as a sobering reminder to approach digital interactions with caution.
Following the tips outlined—such as verifying identities, avoiding financial transactions, and using tools like Guardio to ensure online safety—can help protect you and the people you care about from potential harm. Remember, true love and friendship are worth the effort, staying safe is equally important.
If you have any questions about online scams and threats, we’re more than happy to talk and assist. You can contact us at yourfriends@guard.io
Safe Browsing!
Related articles:
- How to Spot a Catfish: 6 Red Flags of Online Dating Scams
- Avoid These 6 Phishing Attacks Before They Happen to You
- Understanding Infostealer Malware
- What Are Pretexting Scams?
- The Psychology of Social Engineering: How Attackers Exploit Human Nature
