Catfishing on dating sites is when someone creates a fake profile to cheat people, usually with the motive of financial gain. If you’re dating online, these tips to defeat catfishing will come in handy.
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Signs of a catfish
- Lack of information is a red flag. You combed the web for more information about them, but it’s like they never existed.
- Maybe you found some pictures of them, but they don’t match the ones on the dating site.
- The relationship is moving too fast. They claim to be in love, but you’ve only known them for a few days.
- Under the pretense of wanting to come to visit you or another justifiable reason, they ask for money.
- They don’t want to video chat or meet in real life. They are avoiding face-to-face interactions for some reason.
- Their stories don’t add up or are inconsistent.
One last sign: they seem too perfect. Something feels off about them.
Doing a people search
Source: independent.co.uk
One way to confirm someone is who they claim to be is to do a people search on a background check site or search social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. People who are on dating apps are likely to have social media. Look out for how many photos they have and the quality. Most people have more than just one picture.
If their photos appear professional-looking, they might be fake. Catfish often steal photos.
It’s a red flag when a stranger sends you messages through social media. Use only the dating site because it’s safer.
If they sent you any pictures, do a reverse image search to check if they were stolen. They might show up on a modeling site, another person’s social network account, or a stock photo website.
From moving too fast to moving on
It takes time to build a relationship. If you’ve only known them a few days or weeks, but they’re already saying they love you, this should set off alarm bells.
There are many ways to meet people online, with Facetime and Skype as just two examples. Living far away is no excuse for avoiding face-to-face contact. They could be painfully shy – or lying about their identity. It’s recommended to schedule a face-to-face chat early on.
Don’t send money
Source: findlaw.com
You’ve been talking to them for a while, and everything is going well. Suddenly, they ask for money. Think twice before you send any. Asking someone on a dating site for money is not appropriate. Yes, they will make it seem like it’s for your own good. They want you to buy them a ticket to come to visit you.
They might utilize the so-called foot-in-the-door technique. This is where you start small, asking for a small amount, then keep asking for more and more.
You might want to appear generous, particularly if the relationship shows promise. Focus on your best interests.
Inconsistent stories
You desperately want to believe them, but facts are facts. Ask about anything that doesn’t make sense. Be alert for something that seems too exciting to be true. Their life is a rollercoaster with lots of wild and fabulous stories.
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Nobody is perfect, and no guy or girl you meet on a dating site will be an exception to the rule.
What to do when you strongly suspect catfishing
If you begin to strongly suspect you’re being catfished, you can give the person you’re chatting with one chance to justify themselves. Do not be quick to cast accusations. Stick to the facts, be polite and show respect. You could tell them you find it odd they never want to video chat, and their stories don’t add up. Tell them you don’t want to move forward unless they change.
They might turn out to be legitimate after all. Shyness is a real issue for many people. And maybe they weren’t making up those crazy stories. Some people have had quite a lot of exciting things happen to them.
If they continue to be evasive, on the other hand, you can confirm they’re not legit, which brings us to the final step.
What to Look for in a Catfishing Profile
Source: theguardian.com
When you’re looking for a potential date, be sure to check out their online profile. Make sure the photos are of them and not of someone else. Online reverse image searches can help you verify that the person in the photos is actually them. Be wary of profiles with fake photos or incomplete information. It’s also important to vet the person’s interests and see if they match your own. Be on the lookout for any unsolicited messages that seem suspicious or out of the ordinary. If something feels fishy, don’t respond and go to the authorities or Better Business Bureau to report the scammer(s).
1. Block and report
It will be easy if you never took the communication off the dating site. Just delete their contact info and move on.
If you took it to another platform, take screenshots of your chats and report their account to the moderators of the dating site where you met. They might try to delete their account in the meantime. Take screenshots of their fake profile and send them to the moderators.
2. Protect your data
You can’t imagine how much information a catfish can get out of you without you realizing it. To protect yourself, change your PINs and passwords. If they have your number, consider changing it.
Conclusion
Online dating can be a great way to meet new people and find love, but it’s important to be aware of the dangers that come with meeting someone online. Keep an eye out for suspicious behavior and don’t let yourself be tricked into a catfishing relationship. By following these tips, you can protect yourself from hurt and deception. Trust your intuition and when something feels to good to be true, it probably is!
