Internet has made connecting with someone easier than ever; but it has also become an opportunity for scammers, who prey on others even on dating sites and apps.
“The romance hustlers They take advantage of people who are already making themselves vulnerable in the search for love and can be difficult to detect. Sometimes a criminal will adopt a false identity, but others may even use their real identity to impose the illusion of a romantic or that they can provide a close relationship to manipulate and steal, “explains the app on its website.
only in state Unitedwhere this social network originates, romantic scams were more than $300 million in 2020, all because these criminals seem authentic, attractive and affectionate – you can even have a real Instagram account.
The most recent story of Simon Leviev, known as the ‘Tinder scammer’, due to a journalistic investigation and a documentary of the same name on Netflix, motivated the famous application to meet friends and more to issue a series of guidelines to protect yourself online .
How to recognize them?
If he asks you to quickly leave the dating service to communicate directly. This could be an indicator that they are trying to remove traces of the interaction and get more of your personal information like your phone number, which can be lucrative for a scammer.
If it seems too good to be true. Frequent and exaggerated displays of affection or attention, or “love bombings,” are a red flag. A scammer wants to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, so beware of anyone who claims meeting was “destiny” for her, makes big promises, and even proposes too quickly.
If you avoid meeting in person. Scammers often make plans and cancel at the last minute due to unforeseen, often serious circumstances. These excuses, like a medical or family emergency, or something like that that keeps them abroad, often become the reason they apply for financial support.
If you ask for personal data. A connection should never require sharing a passport, driver’s license, social media security number, or any other information that is otherwise considered private.
If they emphasize obstacles or financial challenges. Finding out who prefers to pay the bill at dinner is one thing, but getting involved in someone else’s personal financial problems or needs is another. If this happens, particularly early in the conversation, it may be a sign of deeper deception.
Even an in-person meeting requires some vigilance. Some scammers are experts at gaining trust quickly. These people may paint a picture of an ideal life in the future, but ask for access to their financial resources today while waiting for red tape to clear up their investments or businesses.
How to protect yourself from romance scams?
Beyond spotting a scammer in action, there are several things you can do to take control of your security and protect yourself from a scam, says Tinder.
Trust your intuition. Intuition is your best ally. Always use your best judgment, and if something doesn’t feel right, block and report.
Analyze your photos. Scammers rarely use your own photos, so consider running a reverse image search (using Google Lens or TinEye) to see if the suspect is using your profile picture elsewhere on the internet.
Ask as many questions as possible. Just as you would when meeting a potential match, get to know people on a personal level by asking all the questions. Watch for inconsistent facts and stories, or vague answers to very specific questions.
Be careful what you post online. Scammers can use the details shared on social media and dating sites to narrow their search for their victims. Avoid sharing personal details about family and friends, your home or work address, or your daily routine.
Most importantly, don’t send money online. To nobody. The FBI advises never sharing money with someone you meet online. That includes not providing credit card numbers, bank account information, wire transfers, your social security number, or any other personally identifiable information.
Stay safe on Tinder
Tinder has created a set of customizable safety tools when using the app. Here are the top 5 features to combat Tinder fraud:
An invisible shield of machine learning. Using advanced ML systems (computer algorithms that can improve automatically through experience and data usage), Tinder can identify patterns and ban bad actors before they interact with someone.
Block contacts. Within your profile settings, you can block existing contacts if you’ve had a bad experience with someone. You can also report anyone you think might be a scammer.
Verification tools. Makes sure that the matches (suitors) be who they say they are. On Tinder, look for a blue check mark on the profile to make sure they’re verified.
Reporting tools. For those with a negative experience, the reporting tool ensures that their voice is heard and that others are protected from bad actors.
Grace. Tinder plans to soon partner with Garbo to run a background check on her potential partner.
If someone approaches you on Tinder asking for money, report it immediately. To report it, go to your chat and select the safety center badge in the top right corner. Select “Report” and choose the reason that best describes your experience. If you’ve come into contact with a scammer, you’ll likely select “fake profile” as your reason for reporting. Tinder will take it from there.
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
