If you have a bit more information about your date, like their last name and their location, you can also Google them to see if any worrisome history come up. Most Garbo searches will work with just a first name and phone number. You can utilize a service like Garbo, which is a new kind of online background check that provides low-cost access to public records of arrests, convictions, and sex offender registry records, so you can see if your date has a criminal history of violent or harmful behavior. If they strongly resist a video call, that could be a sign of suspicious activity.Ĭheck to see if your date has a criminal history. This can be a good way to help ensure your match is who they claim to be in their profile. Once you have matched with a potential date and chatted, consider scheduling a video chat with them before meeting up in-person for the first time. Federal Trade Commission's tips on avoiding online dating scams. If you do get such a request, report it to the app or site you’re using immediately. No matter how convincing and compelling someone’s reason may seem, never respond to a request to send money, especially overseas or via wire transfer. Dating apps and websites will never send you an email asking for your username and password information, so if you receive a request for your login information, delete it and consider reporting.ĭon’t Respond to Requests for Financial Help. Never give someone you haven’t met with in person your personal information, including your: social security number, credit card details, bank information, or work or home address. Attempts to threaten or intimidate you in any way.Uses disjointed language and grammar, but has a high level of educationĮxamples of user behavior you may want to report can include:.Tells inconsistent or grandiose stories.Requests your home or work address under the guise of sending flowers or gifts.Pressures you to provide your phone number or talk outside the dating app or site.Overly complimentary and romantic too early in your communication.Gives vague answers to specific questions.Disappears suddenly from the site then reappears under a different name.Claims to be recently widowed with children.Claims to be from the United States but is currently living, working, or traveling abroad.Asks for financial assistance in any way, often because of a sudden personal crisis.The list below offers a few examples of some common stories or suspicious behaviors scammers may use to build trust and sympathy so they can manipulate another user in an unhealthy way. Trust your instincts about whether you feel someone is representing themself truthfully or not. As with any personal interaction, it is always possible for people to misrepresent themselves. This can often be done anonymously before or after you’ve matched. You can block and report another user if you feel their profile is suspicious or if they have acted inappropriately toward you. ![]() If you know your match’s name or handles on social media-or better yet if you have mutual friends online-look them up and make sure they aren’t “catfishing” you by using a fake social media account to create their dating profile.īlock and report suspicious users. It’s important to use caution if you choose to connect with someone you have so little information about.Ĭheck out your potential date on social media. If the person you matched with has no bio, linked social media accounts, and has only posted one picture, it may be a fake account. If your dating profile has a photo that also shows up on your Instagram or Facebook account, it will be easier for someone to find you on social media.Īvoid connecting with suspicious profiles. It’s easy to do a reverse image search with Google. Use different photos for your dating profile. Like any safety tips, they are not a guarantee, but they may help you feel more secure. However, it is important to remember that if you do experience sexual assault or violence while dating online or using an app, it is not your fault.īelow are some steps you can take to increase your safety when interacting with others through online dating apps and services-whether you are interacting virtually or in person. Dating apps don’t conduct criminal background checks on users, so it’s up to each user to determine if they are comfortable meeting up with someone. As is the case when meeting someone new, whether online or offline, it’s wise to keep a few safety precautions in mind. More than 40 million Americans use online dating services or dating apps.
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