Ever wondered if your online dating suitor is trying to scam you? Sometimes the lines can be blurred, and scammers can be so subtle that you don’t realize that you’ve been taken for a ride until it’s too late.
Here are some of the red flags you need to look out for to help you spot a potential dating scammer.
Dating Scams Are on the Rise
As ridiculous as The Tinder Swindler may have seemed to some, it is a notable example of people getting scammed on dating apps. In fact, the statistics show that dating scams are on the rise.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s report, dating scams hit record highs in 2020, with reported losses amounting to $304 million—up about 50 percent from 2019. That’s about $2,500 lost per individual.
As stated in the report:
It is reasonable to wonder: what happened in 2020 to make these dollars losses continue to spike? An obvious reason may be the pandemic limiting our ability to meet in person. But outside the pandemic, the share of people who have ever used an online dating site or app has also been rising. And romance scammers are primed to take advantage.
So, how can you protect yourself from online dating scams?
How to Spot Scams on Dating Apps
Here’s what to look out for to avoid being scammed when looking for love.
1. They Ask for Money
An…
