Better single than scammed. How to spot and avoid fake profiles on dating apps

Dating apps make it easier to meet new people, but they also make it easier for scammers to hide behind fake identities. Romance scammers often steal photos, invent convincing backstories, and build trust quickly before asking for money, personal information, or encouraging you to leave the app. Protect yourself by looking for verified profiles where available, taking time to get to know your match, insisting on a video call before meeting, and never sending money to someone you’ve only met online. If something feels rushed or too perfect, trust your instincts and verify the person’s identity first.

Key takeaways

• Fake dating profiles often use stolen photos, vague bios, love bombing, and excuses to avoid video calls or meeting in person.
• Stay on the dating app until you’ve established trust, and never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or sensitive personal information to a new match.
• Verify matches with a video call, check for a consistent online presence, and be cautious if someone pressures you to move the conversation to another app.
• Bitdefender Scamio can analyze suspicious dating profiles, messages, photos, and links to help you spot romance scams before they escalate.

Online dating is a huge part of the dating world today and is one of the main ways people look for a partner. The Pew Research Center reports that three in 10 U.S. adults have used dating apps, and more than 40% state that online dating has made dating easier for them.

While online dating has its advantages, it can also pose challenges, such as hindering genuine connections.

As single people are using dating apps more frequently around Valentine's Day, they are more likely to meet someone who may not be a suitable long-term match or, worse, a romance scammer.

Three about love

• 1 in 4 Valentine's Day spam emails are scams.
• Nearly 47% of the U.S. population (just over 117 million people) are currently single.
• Tinder is the most popular dating app, with nearly half of dating app users report using it.

How does one get matched with a scammer on a dating app?

Each app has its matching system, usually involving users filling out profiles with details like their interests, age, gender, and a brief description. Algorithms then suggest potential matches based on this information.

Scammers typically create fake profiles using stolen images from real people's social media or dating profiles. They eagerly "select" all the app's recommendations, waiting to be matched with someone. Once matched, they begin to cultivate the relationship by showing love and interest. They often suggest moving the conversation off the app to platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram.

While this pattern is common, dating scams can occur anywhere. Read Georgina's story, a victim of a romance scam that happened on social media.

The Pew Research Research shows that around half (52%) of those who've used dating sites and apps have come across someone they think was trying to scam them. Men under 50 are especially likely to report such experiences, with 63% in this age group suspecting they've encountered scammers. 47% of men aged 50 and older and 44% of women of all ages also reported encountering scammers.

How to identify a fake online profile (Catfishing)

A romance scammer, also known as "catfish," is someone who sets up a fake online profile to trick people looking for love to send them money.

Here are some key signs and behaviors that may indicate you are dealing with one:

· A perfect match. Be wary of profiles that show supermodel-like appearances. Catfishers use attractive photos to lure unsuspecting victims into their scams.

· Excessive Curiosity. They want to learn every detail about you and ask for personal information, like your full name, address, date of birth, or bank details.

· No digital footprint. Search and look at their social media presence. Recently created accounts with few friends, posts, or photos should raise suspicions.

· Overwhelming affection. Scammers often attempt to rapidly establish emotional connections. If they tell you they love you rapidly and try to get you to message them off the platform, it could be a scam.

· Distant location. Be cautious if your match claims to live far away and cannot meet in person. Scammers may fabricate stories about being in the military or working for international organizations to justify their inability to meet.

· Avoidance of face-to-face interaction. Notice if your match consistently avoids video chats or face-to-face meetings, offering excuses to cancel plans. Genuine individuals seeking a connection are typically open to personal interactions.

· Requests for money or gifts: This clearly indicates a scam. Romance scams often involve financial fraud, with scammers requesting money for various reasons such as visas, customs fees, medical bills, or plane tickets to visit you.

How can you avoid being catfished?

There are several precautions you can take to protect yourself from falling victim to relationship scams:

1. Stay on the app, report, and block. Scammers often attempt to move conversations to other platforms. Remain within the dating app and use the available tools to ensure your privacy and safety. If anything feels suspicious, don't hesitate to report and block the individual.

2. Keep your personal details private. Avoid divulging too many personal info, such as your full name, date of birth, or bank information, to individuals you've just met online.

3. Don't send money. Regardless of the reasons they give or how long you've been speaking to them, don't send money to someone you've never met in person.

4. Check them out in-app, on Google, and with Bitdefender Scamio:

• Look for 'Verified' Badges: Some platforms offer 'verified' badges to users who have taken extra steps to confirm their identity. Consider setting up video chats before meeting in person to check the authenticity of your match.
• Search them online. Check they're genuine by putting their name, profile pictures, and the term 'dating scam' into your search engine.
• Use Bitdefender Scamio to analyze your match's photos, profile, and story for any signs of scams. You can copy-paste messages received, upload an image, send a link, or describe your situation, and Scamio analyzes it and informs you if it's safe. Scamio is free and doesn't require downloading any app or having previous access to a Bitdefender product. You can access it on any device or operating system via your web browser or Facebook Messenger.

Romance scams come in different shapes and can change over time, so it's vital to stay alert and use all the tools you have. For instance, choose dating apps that confirm user identities, let you block and report users, and allow you to adjust your settings. Don't settle for less when it comes to love and safety as they go hand in hand.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do you tell a fake online dating profile?

Fake dating profiles often use stolen or overly polished photos, have very little information in their bio, and try to build trust unusually quickly. They may avoid answering specific questions, refuse video calls, claim to be working overseas, or push you to move the conversation to another messaging app. Be especially cautious if they ask for money, investment advice, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or personal information. If something feels off, slow down and verify their identity before continuing.

Which dating app has fewer fake profiles?

No dating app is completely free of fake accounts. Larger platforms typically invest more in identity verification, automated fraud detection, and moderation, but scammers still create convincing profiles and adapt their tactics. Instead of relying on the app alone, look for verified profiles where available, be wary of anyone who rushes the relationship, and report suspicious accounts so they can be investigated.

What should I do if someone is making fake profiles of me on dating apps?

Report the fake profile through the dating app as soon as you find it and provide any evidence that proves you’re the real person. If your photos or personal information have been stolen, ask the platform to remove the impersonating account and consider notifying people who may be contacted by the scammer. Change passwords if any of your accounts may have been compromised, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your online accounts for signs of identity theft.

How can you tell if a dating profile is a bot?

Bot accounts often send generic or repetitive messages, reply almost instantly, ignore your questions, and quickly steer the conversation toward clicking a link, joining another app, or visiting a website. Their profiles may contain only one or two photos, very little personal information, and inconsistent details. If the conversation feels scripted or the person avoids normal back-and-forth interaction, stop engaging and report the account.