Don’t fall victim to a dating site scam while you’re looking to make a connection with someone. There are plenty of scams out there, but you can steer clear of them by carefully guarding your data, your image and your identity. Although the larger majority of dating app users are genuine, you’ll still need to be cautious. Here are some Tinder scams to look out for.
1. Bots
Bots are very common Tinder scams, and they’ve gotten quite sophisticated. They’ll even hold a “conversation” with you. It won’t be long before it sends you a link. These links are often phishing for your personal information. You can usually tell it’s a bot if they reply right away or they send you links. Alternatively, you can use a nonsense word and see if it repeats it back to you, or ask a question that requires a specific and detailed answer like, “What was it like growing up in Alaska?”
2. Catfishing
When someone uses a fake profile to feign a relationship with you in order to exploit your kindness and take advantage of what you are willing to offer them, they are catfishing. These scammers don’t mind taking their time grooming you to get what they want. Typically, a disaster or unfortunate set of circumstances will befall the scammer, forcing them to ask you for support in some way. Usually they’ll want money to rectify the problem. They play on your emotions and your trust.
3. Blackmail
Blackmail has gotten a digital makeover. There are several ways that you can be blackmailed via Tinder scam. One of the more popular methods involves a con artist gaining your trust and getting nude or compromising photos of you with the intent of holding the photos hostage for a price. They will threaten to post the photos online if you don’t pay what they’re asking. You can save yourself the trouble by never sending compromising photos of yourself to a stranger.
4. Verification Code
The verification code scam is an email or a text that you get from what you think is Tinder but is really a scammer. The email asks you to click a link to verify your account. You may also be given this fake verification link by a “match” that won’t engage with you any further until you click the link. These links will take you to a third-party site that asks for your personal information. Once you enter the information, you may have your identity stolen, lose money or another unfavorable outcome.
5. Malware
Malware is software that is built to get access to your data or device or disrupt the way you use your device. Typically you’ll have some exchanges switch someone and then they’ll invite you to a personal web site or fake social media site or post. If you go to these pages you’ll be opening yourself up to a lot of spam and malware. The point of these sites is to steal your data or hijack your computer.
Always think twice before swiping right and look out for signs of scammers. Usually if something is too good to be true, it usually is. And if someone is trying to get in your pocket, chances are that they don’t mind leaving you with nothing but dust and lint to put your financial life back together with.
