Many people turn to online dating or social networking sites for love. But, instead of finding romance, some people find a scammer trying to trick them into sending money.
Today, we will teach you how to spot and avoid online dating apps scam. We will share some of the techniques that scammers use to ensnare the lovelorn as they lavish the target with attention but began sharing sad stories and requesting increasingly large amounts of money.
We offer the following tips to avoid falling victim to dating scams:
The lies online dating app scammers tell:
- These scammers will often say they’re living or traveling outside of the country.
- Reports about scammers who say they are working on an oil rig, in the military, or a doctor with an international organization.
The ways online dating app scammers ask for money: Reports of romance scammers asking their targets for money to:
- Pay for a plane ticket or other travel expenses
- Pay for surgery or other medical expenses
- Pay for customs fees to retrieve something
- Pay off gambling debts
- Pay for a visa or other official travel documents
Scammers ask people to pay:
- By wiring money
- With reload cards or gift cards from different vendors.
How to avoid losing money to an online dating scammer:
Never send money or gifts to a person you haven’t met in person. If you suspect a dating scam:
- Stop communicating with the person immediately.
- Talk to someone you trust, and pay attention if your friends or family say they’re concerned about your new love interest.
- Do a search for the type of job the person has to see if the people have heard similar stories. For example, you could do a search for “oil rig scammer” or “Army scammer.” You can also browse the comments on some posts about online dating scams to hear from other people’s stories.
- Faking it – scammers’ tricks to steal your heart and your money
- Online dating app scams will cost you.
- Do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture to see if it’s associated with another name or with details that don’t match up- those are signs of a scam.
- If you think that it is a scam, notify the website or app where you met the scammer too.
- If you paid the scammer with a gift card, contact the company that issued the card right away. Tell them you paid a scammer with the gift card and ask if they can refund your money.
Lastly, when meeting with them for the first time make sure you are accompanied by a friend. Bring Leelou with you. Download it on your device. It’s FREE! Available at Apple Appstore and Google Playstore.
