Don‘t Be Hooked by These 13 Dating Scams

Dating sites and apps provide great ways to connect with new people, but criminals increasingly use them to perpetrate sneaky scams. As an information security professional with over a decade of cloud data security experience, I‘ve seen these online dating scams evolving to become more sophisticated and convincing. Victims often feel embarrassed and don‘t want to report being duped, so many of these cyberschemes fly under the radar.

Awareness and caution are key to avoid being manipulated by these digital Don Juans. By understanding common techniques dating scammers use, you can enjoy meeting new romantic prospects online while sidestepping the pitfalls. Let‘s explore the most prevalent dating scams circulating today so you can keep your money, personal data, devices, and heart protected.

How Online Dating Scammers Operate

Skilled scammers use dating sites like fertile hunting grounds to target vulnerable people seeking relationships. They begin by creating fake profiles, often using photos stolen from social media or modeling sites. To appear more enticing, they fabricate details like careers, location, hobbies, and background based on what they think you‘ll find attractive.

Romance scammers spend time building an emotional connection and gaining your trust through flattery, sweet messages, and seemingly loving conversations. Once they have you hooked, they employ manipulation tactics and sob stories to exploit your feelings and finances. With the anonymity of online interactions, it‘s surprisingly easy to fall for their ruses.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams surpassed all other fraud reported in 2021, racking up over $547 million in losses. That‘s a 80% increase compared to 2020! Experts believe many additional cases go unreported out of shame or embarrassment. Those aged 50-59 fell victim most often, likely due to scammers targeting divorcees and seniors on dating sites. But the better you understand common techniques, the less likely you‘ll become ensnared by these digital Casanovas.

13 Prevalent Dating Site Scams

Let‘s explore the most common dating and romance scams circulating today so you know what to watch out for.

1. Overseas Soldier Scams

One of the biggest red flags is an online love interest claiming to be deployed overseas. This includes supposed military members, contractors, doctors, or oil rig engineers. The scammer says their job took them to another country where you can‘t meet or video chat due to technology or security restrictions.

Data from the US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) indicates over $300 million was lost to these overseas imposter scams between 2019-2021. The supposed soldier keeps promising to return soon, but there‘s always an excuse or emergency holding them back. Eventually they ask for money to book flights home or deal with an unexpected crisis.

2. Traveling Businessman Scams

A common tale scammers spin is being a successful businessman needing to travel abroad frequently for work. Again, this grants a convenient reason for why you can‘t meet in person. They claim to have fallen for you despite their globe-trotting lifestyle and pull at your heartstrings for temporary financial assistance.

According to data from the Federal Trade Commission‘s Consumer Sentinel database, dating and romance scams rose from $139 million in 2019 to $547 million in 2021 – a whopping 295% increase! Business and work-related stories represent popular manipulative narratives used to exploit victims‘ empathy.

3. Two-Factor Authentication Hacks

Recently, dating site scams have expanded to more technical social engineering techniques. The scammer gains your affection and trust over weeks or months. Then they pretend to have issues accessing one of their accounts that requires two-factor authentication (2FA) to log in.

Convincingly acting confused and frustrated, they request your help getting the 2FA code texted to your phone number. If you comply, you actually hand over an access code that lets them break into your accounts linked to that phone number!

According to researchers at CyberNews, cases of 2FA bypass scams increased over 312% in 2022 compared to 2021. As more people adopt 2FA for security, scammers have adapted their tactics to exploit this vulnerability. Never share authentication codes sent to your personal devices.

4. Rental Scams

Some opportunistic daters perpetrate rental scams by listing properties they don‘t actually own on sites like Craigslist. They offer appealing rental rates to entice respondents and ask for security deposits or first/last month‘s rent upfront via wire transfer.

Of course, once you send the money, you soon discover the "landlord" has disappeared and the property isn‘t yours. A variation is getting you to sign a fake lease then requesting additional fees for maintenance, repairs, or utilities. In 2021, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 1,000 reports of rental scams with losses exceeding $35 million.

5. Sextortion Blackmail

A disturbing scam trend involves sexual extortion or sextortion. Scammers entice you to share intimate photos or engage in cybersex using dating apps and sites. They secretly record or screenshot these encounters without consent. Then the blackmail begins as they threaten to release the sexual content to your family, friends, or employers unless you pay up.

The CNN documentary "Love Scammed" tells the heartbreaking story of Emma who was seduced on Tinder only to have explicit videos held against her. Many victims pay thousands in desperate attempts to prevent public exposure. But after one demand is met, scammers often follow with additional ones since they know the source of leverage.

6. Crypto Investment Scams

The popularity of cryptocurrency makes it prime territory for dating scammers. After building a relationship, they extol the amazing gains to be made investing in crypto. They instruct you to install remote access apps like TeamViewer that let them access your computer and accounts.

Next, they may manipulate screenshots to showcase crypto profits earned and convince you to invest real deposits. In reality, they transfer the funds out or invest in illiquid altcoins that tank in value. Overall losses to crypto fraud rose over 65% in 2021 to $775 million according to the FTC.

7. Bank Account Takeovers

Providing financial account access to a dating scam artist enables them to drain your accounts and make unauthorized charges. They may claim they want to send you gifts or cash to earn your trust initially.

By getting your account login credentials or adding themselves as an authorized user, the scammer can wire your funds or steal your identity to open credit cards. Losses from online bank account takeovers now average about $12 billion per year according to data from the American Bankers Association.

8. Mystery Shopping Scams

Here‘s how this clever scam works: The scammer claims they want to buy you high-end gifts but can‘t have them shipped to their overseas address for customs reasons. They offer to hire you as a secret shopper, instructing you to receive packages with the gifts and then forward them abroad.

Of course, the deposited checks for reimbursement end up being fake, while the physical goods were purchased with stolen credit cards and money. You‘re left liable as an unwitting mule since the suspicious financial activity passed through your accounts. Overall losses to secret shopping scams exceeded $42 million in 2021 according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

9. Loan & Credit Card Scams

Financial vulnerabilities can be detected and exploited on dating sites too. Scammers learn about your debts or credit history then offer to add you as an authorized user on their credit card accounts to improve your score. They may also promise low-interest consolidation loans or credit cards if you provide enough personal information.

Instead, they open fraudulent accounts in your name or max out your limits then disappear – leaving you stuck with the balances and ruined credit! The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that credit card fraud causes about $17 billion in losses annually in the United States.

10. Phishing Links & Downloads

Watch out for phishing attempts where a dating match sends you links to exciting offers, quizzes, games, or even verification sites to avoid catfishing. The sites look legit but are actually designed to steal login credentials or install malware on your device to takeover accounts.

Data from IBM indicates phishing attacks increased by 11% in 2022, and 1 in 3 people click suspicious links and email attachments. Use caution before entering info or downloading anything sent by an online romantic interest, especially early on. Confirm site validity through independent searches.

11. Mysterious Billing Charges

Scammers take advantage of monthly subscription plans offered by many dating apps and websites. They create fake profiles and engage in conversation just long enough to entice victims to upgrade for premium features like unlimited messaging. The scammed user later discovers recurring monthly fees for subscription plans they never realized they signed up for.

According to the Better Business Bureau, over 37% of romance scam victims report continued billing by dating services after removing accounts or falling prey to fake profiles. Keep close tabs on all monthly charges by reviewing statements regularly to identify any unauthorized or deceptive subscriptions.

12. Fake Dating Verification Sites

Some fraudsters create elaborate fake dating ID verification sites that claim to do background checks ensuring members are legitimate. They require uploading personal documents like driver‘s licenses and passports to generate a "verified member badge" making your profile more appealing and trustworthy.

In reality, these sites are fronts to harvest users‘ personal identification documents and data which can easily be used to commit identity theft. According to 2021 research from Social Catfish, nearly 1 in 4 online daters have encountered fake profile verification sites while others paid for questionable background checks through third-party services.

13. Tinder Robocall Scams

On Tinder, be very cautious if a match asks you to call a provided number to confirm identity. This scheme grants access to your phone number which then gets added to lists sold to telemarketers and robocallers. Within days, your phone blows up with spam calls from numbers spoofing banks, tech support, surveys, charities, and more.

Over 59 million Americans were targeted by robocalls multiple times per day according to Hiya‘s 2022 State of the Call report. Nearly 20% of respondents felt phone spam had worsened in 2022 compared to prior years. Don‘t hand your number to a Tinder match who insists on calling right away – huge red flag!

Warning Signs of a Dating Scammer

While scammer techniques run the gamut, these common behaviors often indicate your online Romeo may actually have fraudulent intentions:

• They profess love quickly without meeting in person

• Constant excuses why they can‘t video chat

• Financial sob stories and requests for money

• Hesitation sharing details beyond their dating profile

• Sudden problems with bank accounts or credit cards

• Reluctance to meet face-to-face after long messaging

• Bad grammar, typos, inconsistencies in their backstory

• Requests for personal data like bank account numbers

• Pushy about financial opportunities like investments

• Profile seems too perfect with glamorous pics

• Nude images offered early on or requests for cybersex

• Want you to download apps, give login access, or click phishy links

The more warning signs you spot, the higher likelihood you are being manipulated or conned. Listen to your gut instincts if something seems "off" and stop engaging.

6 Tips to Avoid Dating Site Scams

You can enjoy meeting new people online while avoiding dating scams through smart precautions:

1. Take Things Slowly – Don‘t rush into intimacy or sharing sensitive information early on. Make matches earn your trust over several weeks before opening up more.

2. Confirm Identities – Do reverse image searches on pics used to uncover fakes. Insist on video chatting before meeting IRL. Lookup names, emails, and phone numbers to confirm provided details.

3. Keep Your Finances Separate – Never provide bank account access, loan co-signing, credit card authorizations or wire transfers to those you meet online until trust is established.

4. Use Unique Passwords – Have distinct passwords for each dating site to prevent account takeovers if credentials are compromised. Enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of login protection.

5. Beware Red Flags – Be skeptical of overseas deployments, whirlwind romances, fast pleas for money and eagerness to switch to new platforms.

6. Listen to Your Instincts – Don‘t ignore any gut feelings that something seems amiss or too good to be true. Online chemistry can be fabricated…go slowly.

How Identity Theft Protection Can Assist

Given the prevalence of dating scams, it‘s wise to have identity theft protection services monitoring your personal data and account activity. Features like dark web monitoring, credit reports, and bank transaction alerts detect fraud early before it causes too much damage.

• IDShield – IDShield scans sketchy websites for your info and sends alerts if your identity appears compromised. It also provides reimbursement for any funds lost due to identity theft.

• IdentityForce – IdentityForce UltraSecure + Credit monitors your credit, SSN, accounts and even sex offender registries for fraudulent activity while reimbursing losses.

• Norton 360 with LifeLock – LifeLock helps protect your identity and bank accounts from takeovers. It provides up to $1 million in identity theft insurance with 24/7 monitoring.

Common Questions about Dating Site Scams (FAQs)

How do you know if someone is real on a dating site?

Insist on seeing them over live video chat and do reverse image searches on their photos to spot fakes. Look for consistency in details they share and be wary of any hesitance to meet in person soon.

What percentage of dating profiles are fake?

According to data from the FTC, around 25-30% of all dating site profiles are fake or fraudulent. On some scam dating sites, almost all profiles may be fake, operated by criminals rather than real singles.

What‘s the most common age group for online dating scams?

Those aged 50-59 had the most reported dating scam losses in 2021, racking up over $139 million according to the FTC. However, all ages groups can be targeted by opportunistic fraudsters.

What should you not do when online dating?

Avoid giving out personal contact information or social media accounts too quickly. Never send intimate photos to online matches, wire money, provide bank account access, or invest based on advice from unverified love interests.

Are soldiers really deployed on dating sites?

While some genuine military members use dating sites, scammers often pretend to be soldiers deployed abroad as a setup to request money for supposed expenses. Verify details like base, commanding officers, and deployment timeframe.

Don‘t Become Ensnared by Digital Casanovas

With so many dating scams operating online, it pays to enter any romantic connections formed on the internet with caution. Get to know matches gradually, confirm details shared, and stop engaging if anything seems suspicious. Seeking companionship and love online doesn‘t have to leave you in ruins if you stay vigilant for red flags and manipulation techniques.

Implementing protective measures like using unique passwords and identity theft monitoring also helps keep you and your data secure. With awareness of the latest dating scammer tactics, you‘re far less likely to get swindled by deceitful Romeos professing digital devotion. Stay safe so you can focus on finding genuine compatibility, not a conniving criminal after your cash.