How to Recognize If You're Being Catfished When Dating Online?

Many people use dating websites & apps to find love (or whatever they're looking for). Still, some people use them to take advantage of others, whether lying about their age, using fake photos, or even pretending to be someone else entirely. This is called catfishing, and it's a significant problem on dating apps & websites.

What is catfishing?

The term "catfish" first became widespread in 2010 with the release of the documentary Catfish. The film tells the story of Nev Schulman, who becomes romantically involved with a woman he meets online. However, he eventually discovers that she has been lying to him about her identity.
Since then, the term "catfish" has become synonymous with online dating scams and deception. If you're worried that you might be the victim of a catfishing scam, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

Here are some signs that you may be being catfished:

1. They're reluctant to meet in person

If someone you're talking to online avoids meeting you in person, it's a major red flag. Of course, there are legitimate reasons why someone might not want to meet up right away - they could be busy or live far away. But if they're making excuses not to meet you, it's a sign that they're not being truthful about who they are.

2. Their photos look fake or staged

When talking to someone online, they can easily use fake or carefully-staged photos. If their photos look too good to be true, or if they only have one or two pictures, it's worth doing.

If you think you might be being catfished, there are a few things you can do to try and verify the person you're talking to:

- Try reverse image searching their profile photos. If they're using someone else's photos, you'll usually be able to find them with a simple Google search.
- Ask them to video chat with you. If they refuse, that could be a sign that they're not who they say they are.
- Compare their story to what you can find online. If they're claiming to be a famous actor or musician, a quick Google search should turn up some evidence of that.
- Be wary of anyone who asks for money. This is almost always a scam, no matter how believable their story is.

How to protect yourself from being scammed

If you're worried about being scammed, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:

- Don't give out personal information like your address or date of birth.
- Be cautious about who you friend on social media. If someone you don't know asks to be your friend, they may be trying to scam you.
- Never send money to someone you've met online, no matter how believable their story is.
- If something feels off, trust your gut, and don't be afraid to end the conversation. Better safe than sorry!

What to do if you think you've been scammed

If you think you've been the victim of a catfish scam, there are a few things you can do:

- Contact the dating website or app and let them know what happened. They may be able to help you track down the person who scammed you.
- If you sent money to the scammer, contact your bank or credit card company and let them know what happened. They may be able to help you get your money back.

Catfishing is a serious problem, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Be vigilant, and don't let yourself be scammed!

Author profile

Ann Adams

Online Dating Expert

Ann Adams, a renowned online dating expert, offers valuable insights and practical advice to navigate the digital dating landscape, helping individuals find love online with confidence and success.