Not only does this help them learn more, but it helps them avoid the safety measures that dating apps and sites have in place. Dating and romance scams often take place through online dating websites, but scammers can also use social media or email to get in touch. Catfishing refers to someone who creates a fictitious person or identity on a social network or dating site to target a specific victim. And don't rush to leave the dating service or social media platform site to communicate directly.
Some free online dating sites may seem legitimate at first, but they will reveal their true colors once you are a member for a while. If all your profile contains is a few lines of text, no photo, and no set preferences, but you start getting message after message from potential suitors, chances are you've run into fraud on dating sites. At this point my friend had stopped responding and contacted the dating site to report the fraudulent suitor. In general, whenever someone on an online dating site wants to direct you to another site, it should be considered a potential red flag.
Many online dating sites offer some safety features, and if you move your conversation away from them to talk using text messaging or other chat options, you lose them. Cybercriminals are reportedly using online dating sites to trick victims into sending money, providing personal and financial information, or even unknowingly acting as a money mule by relaying stolen funds. For this reason, consider keeping your online dating profiles anonymous by using different usernames on the sites or even different emails to protect your privacy. Scammers may ask their victims to leave the dating site and use personal email or instant messaging (IM).
The FBI advises consumers to use caution when using online dating sites after the agency saw a 70 percent annual increase in reported romance scams. Dating apps and sites can be a wonderful way to meet your partner, just ask the millions of happy couples out there.
