Online dating scams are everywhere, and victims are losing hundreds of millions of dollars every year. According to the FTC, online dating scams have tripled in the past few years. By 2020, the number of people being ripped off by cyber sweethearts is estimated to reach $304 million. Here are some steps to avoid falling victim to these scams. You can also use reverse image search to verify your online identity. Make sure that your date doesn’t have the same profile picture or video several times.
Another common dating scam is the dating extortion scam. Online daters are asked to provide financial information and transfer funds to the other person. Often, they are asked to transfer funds due to an urgent situation, or to give them access to their online banking credentials. Once they have their money, the scammer will transfer it fraudulently. This way, they will make you responsible for the deficiency. Listed below are some of the most common dating scams.
The most common form of online dating scam is the romance scam, in which a cybercriminal uses fake identity to gain your trust and blackmail you into sending money. A fake dating site will also pose as a legitimate website, but it’s just a front for scammers. The reason these websites look legitimate is because they’re overpopulated with scammers and underpopulated to steal your personal information. Lastly, photo scams ask for your sensitive information and personal photos, which is a red flag of a scam.
The first warning sign that you may have fallen victim to a dating scam is a request for money. These sites will usually ask for financial information such as bank account information or credit card information. This is a huge warning sign that the site is a scam. These scams can make you a victim of money laundering. When you get asked for money, you’ll have to deal with a money mules, or worse, become their accomplice in money laundering.
Be wary of online dating scammers. It’s not uncommon for scammers to pretend to be anyone in order to gain your trust. However, it’s important to be wary of these people as they can use your personal information to further their scams. If you meet a scammer who claims to be someone you’re interested in, report them to the relevant dating site or app. If you find that your online dating profile looks suspicious, you should immediately report it to your bank or the authorities.
You should always report any dating scam you’ve encountered to the relevant regulatory body of your country. If you’ve been a victim of a dating scam, you should contact your bank to protect yourself. Then, report the incident to the appropriate site or app. If you’ve already been a victim of a dating scam on a social networking site, don’t give your bank details to anyone – it’s a huge risk for you to be a victim of a dating scam.