6 top tips to avoid online dating scams
Protect your heart and your bank account
Does that online dating profile seem too good to be true? Are they avoiding meeting you in person? Or they won’t talk on the phone?
According to UK Finance, between January and June 2019 £7.9m was lost by online dating scam victims and romance scams rose by 64% during the same time period. One in 5 people have either been asked for money or given money to someone they met online.
Before you couple up this Valentine’s Day, use our top tips to help protect yourself from losing money and a broken heart.
1. Stay on the website or app
A common tactic for scammers is to try to encourage victims to use other communication channels (e.g. texting) so it’s harder to be reported to the online dating website. Only talk to someone on the dating website or in the app itself and don’t feel pressured into other forms of communication.
2. Do your research
Become an amateur detective and search for their name, pictures and things they say (e.g. their job) using a search engine and also try adding the term ‘dating scam’. Some dating apps also have the option to verify profiles so you know the person you’re talking to is legitimate. Don’t move too quickly and ask lots of questions to make sure you get to know the person you’re talking to.
3. Keep your details safe
Never share logins, passwords or bank details with anyone you’ve met online and don’t send money to people you don’t know. Use caution if people ask you unusual questions such as ‘childhood pet’ or ‘mother’s maiden name’ as these are often used as security questions for forgotten login details.
4. Be suspicious
It’s not the most logical, but it’s important to be suspicious when using online dating, especially when someone you’re talking to asks you for money. Online dating scams exist to make money from victims so be very cautious if someone requests money from you and tell your bank straight away if you think you’ve been the victim of a scam. Be wary of ‘sob stories’ as this is another way scammers try and get money out of their victims.
5. Tell other people
You might not want to spill all your secrets but telling a trusted friend or family member can help. Scammers might try to alienate a victim from people they know, so make sure people you trust know about who you’re talking to. Letting someone know can also help you if you’re suspicious about someone, as chatting things through can help.
6. Report it
If you’ve been the victim of an online dating scam, or suspect someone is a scammer, use the reporting feature on the website or app and contact the Citizens Advice Scams Action service online or over the phone on 0808 2505050. If you’ve been scammed out of money, report it to your bank first.
Our Scams Action service can help if you’ve been the victim of an online scam. Available online and over the phone Monday to Friday 9am — 5pm. Find out more about the service here.
