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6 tips to avoid online dating scams like the Tinder Swindler

Spot these red flags to protect your heart!

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by Ana Caoile March 7, 2022, 1:31 pm

Thanks to technology, dating has become much more accessible and convenient. However, vulnerability is part of falling in love–and that is what scammers use to get their hands not in your pants, but in your pockets. If you have seen Netflix’s true-crime documentary The Tinder Swindler, coldhearted fraudsters do exist. To help you detect some red flags, guard your heart with these dating tips!

Always cross-check their profile.

Everything and everyone is online. In fact, more than a quarter of the world’s population is reportedly on Facebook. If you’re on a dating site, you’re probably on different social media sites too. If the person you’re talking to says they’re a professional who doesn’t really use social media, they should at least be on LinkedIn for networking. Even if it’s a private account, they should still appear through tagged posts or credible articles (if they are a prominent member of society). Either way, they should be Googleable (and you should be too)! Otherwise, they could be a catfish.

Update your loved ones.

Not to kiss and tell, but you need to update your loved ones about your dating sitch so you can get an outsider’s perspective. If you’re not comfortable sharing details yet or aren’t ready to announce that you’ve dived back into the dating pool, just tell a friend or two to keep your head straight. People who care about you will be able to spot the red flags you might be missing because as the adage goes, love is blind. Protect yourself from being blindsided by giving your friends or family a peek into your love life! Getting to bond with them is just an additional perk to this tip.

Don’t share any personal information.

You might think that taking things beyond the dating site or app means taking your relationship to another level. However, this is also one way to get more of your personal information. Some messaging apps reveal your phone number to those who message you, and your email addresses and social media accounts are usually connected to these accounts. Be patient and have the courage to take a step back if needed. If the person you’re talking to really likes you, they should be understanding about this. Take your time building up the relationship. Remember: a few months is nothing compared to a lifetime of love.

Avoid dropping the “L” word too soon.

If someone expresses strong feelings too soon, you should start being a little skeptical. This could be the sign of a romance scammer. If you think it’s too good to be true, chances are it probably isn’t. While it may be possible, a real lover will respect your boundaries. If you fall too deep too quickly, they could use that power to take advantage of your vulnerability.

Never, ever send them money.

Unless monetary support is part of the agreement between you and your partner or if it’s something you are financially capable of without going out of your way, money should never even be a topic of conversation. No matter how dire the “situation” might be, a person with values should never ask for anything in return–that’s the kind of love you should be searching for.

Only sign up on trusted online dating sites.

To make sure that you’re meeting quality fish in the sea, check out EHARMONY. This trusted online dating site uses a proprietary matching system to match you with highly compatible singles. They are committed to helping singles find love every day so you can match with who you may be looking for regardless of age, race, and religion.