Learn more about Safehouse and data security

How To Spot A Dating Scam?

Tomer Yair Zemel

What is the worst date you have ever been on?

A scam date is pretty much the worst. In this article, we'll discuss online dating scams and give you some prevention tips.

Did you know? More than $547 million was lost to online romance scams just last year! Simon Leviev's (aka the Tinder Swindler's) scam is one of the most well-known online dating scams. If you have not seen the movie yet, add it to your weekend binge-watch list. Now, let's take a look at some highlights and learn how you can spot swindlers! Be on the lookout for these warning signs:

🔴 Too good to be true! As with suspicious online deals, if it sounds too good to be true, or in this case, too perfect, it probably is. A new partner comes along and seems to know all your desires, all your wishes, and "it's just so awesome", do ask yourself, is it? Is that person for real? Are you sure?

🔴 They "have" to travel quite a bit! You won't find any evidence of their employment, but they have to "work a lot" and can't stay too long at one place. Several times they break their promises to visit you because of work or an emergency. Ask yourself would you do this to someone you love

🔴 Their digital footprint is suspicious. It will either barely exist or be super amazing. Either way, you will know at first glance that something is off. Don't push that feeling away, dig in deeper, the same way you would with every other partner you met. Do not be fooled by appearances, look at details, dates, connections and connect the dots before you submit yourself to someone who seems to have it all and will need your help in a moment.

🔴 They will eventually ask for your money. Fraudsters will claim that they need money for an emergency, hospital bills, or travel. In reality, at the point when they ask for it, you are already hooked and must pause and reflect on everything that has happened so far. If you see all the signs, trust your instincts, and don't be ashamed to act and seek help! This happens to so many people, and studies show that most of them ignore their instincts and just blindly move forward.

Additionally, we strongly recommend the following:

🔵 Do not overshare information about yourself online. Scammers often learn your personal information before contacting you. Take advantage of tools such as BodyGuard VPN and digital online privacy to ensure your privacy.

🔵 Slow down! Great things take time. Never wire money to someone you don't really know for a long time!

🔵 Report any kind of online scam to your bank and to the federal bank commission and investigations. And most importantly, TRUST YOUR GUT!!

Stay Safe Out There! Team SafeHouse 😍