The Dangers of Online Dating: Scams, Red Flags, and How to Stay Safe - Rachel Devine

Online dating has become increasingly popular over the last decade, with a growing number of people relying on the internet to find love or meet new people. However, we will explore the dangers of online dating that users need to be aware of. This article will explore online dating scams, red flags to look out for, and online dating tips to stay safe. We will also examine the pros and cons of online dating, as well as its success rates for different age groups. Is online dating worth it? This article will answer this question along with most online dating questions most people have. So, let’s dive right into it.

I. Dating Scams

One of the major dangers of online dating is falling victim to scams. Scammers often create fake profiles to lure unsuspecting users into giving them money or personal information. Some common online dating scams include:

1. Romance scams: Scammers pretend to be interested in a romantic relationship to gain the victim's trust and ultimately ask for money or personal information.

2. Catfishing: Scammers create a fake online persona to manipulate and deceive people into emotional or romantic relationships.

3. Phishing: Scammers use fake profiles to send messages with links to malicious websites that try to collect your personal information.

4. Scammers: A scammer will gain your trust, hook you emotionally with a lot of romantic talk, and then create a scenario where they are stranded somewhere and in need of money. Scammers typically ask you to send them an i-tunes or google gift card and ask for the numbers on the back.

5. Email fraud: If someone immediately wants your email, don’t give it to them. They can hack your email and take over your account. They will usually say, it’s more convenient to email. You are on a dating site and that communication is a lot safer than giving your email out.

II. Dating Red Flags

To avoid falling victim to scams or manipulative people, it's important to be aware of red flags when dating online. Some warning signs include:

1. The person's profile is too good to be true or lacks personal information. Or they are oil diggers, engineers or overseas on a job. Scammers are typically widowed with a child or two.

2. They ask for money or personal information too quickly.

3. They avoid meeting in person or video calls.

4. They express strong feelings for you very early in the relationship.

5. They have poor grammar and spelling, which may indicate a scammer from a non-English speaking country.

6. If you do talk on the phone, usually a scammer will have a foreign accent.

7. If you get the scammers phone number and do an online search and it doesn’t come up with any

   name, chances are it’s a google phone number that is not traceable.

III. Dating Tips to Stay Safe

1. Protect your personal information: Don't share your full name, address, or phone number until you feel comfortable with the person. If you get their phone number, call back with a private number, by dialing *67 before your number. To get the last callers number use *69.

2. Use a reputable dating site or app with robust security features.

3. Research your match: Look for them on social media or use a reverse image search to verify their identity. If you put their photo on google, you might get some information on that person.

4. Meet in public places for the first few dates and tell a friend or family member where you're going.

5. Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it's better to be cautious. Your instincts are always right.

   IV. Dating Sites that may be safer:

   1. eHarmony: eHarmony uses a comprehensive personality test to match users and employs a dedicated team to monitor and remove suspicious profiles. Although the pool of daters is very small on eHarmony.

   2. Match.com: Match.com has a robust reporting system and employs a team of moderators to review reported profiles and take appropriate action. Although I have come across scammers on this site.

   3. Bumble: Bumble requires users to verify their profile with a photo, and it allows only women to initiate contact with matches, which can help reduce the risk of scams.

   4. Hinge: Hinge encourages users to share more personal information through its prompts, which can help weed out fake profiles. It also has a reporting system for suspicious accounts.

   5. EliteSingles: EliteSingles uses a detailed personality test and manual profile verification to ensure its users are genuine and serious about finding a relationship.

   Some platforms have experimented with additional verification methods, such as using a driver's license or other government-issued identification, to confirm the user's identity. However, these methods are not yet widespread due to privacy concerns and potential legal issues.

   While no dating site can guarantee complete protection from scammers, using platforms with strict security measures and being vigilant about potential red flags can help you have a safer online

V. Is Online Dating Worth It?

Pros:

1. Access to a larger pool of potential partners.

2. Ability to connect with people who share similar interests and values.

3. Convenient and efficient way to meet new people.

4. Allows people with limited social circles to find potential partners.

Cons:

1. Risk of encountering scams and manipulative people.

2. Profiles may not accurately represent the person.

3. Can lead to superficial connections based on appearance.

4. Time-consuming and potentially addictive.

VI. Success Rates of Online Dating

Some hopeful information is the success rate of online dating:

1. People under 40: Online dating tends to be more successful for younger people, as they are more likely to be tech-savvy and open to meeting people online. Research has shown that approximately 40% of couples aged 18-39 met online in recent years.

2. People over 40: While online dating can be successful for those over 40, it may be more challenging due to a smaller pool of potential matches and possible technological barriers. However, studies have found that around 20% of couples aged 40 and older met online, suggesting that it can still be an effective way to find love for this age group.

VII. Free Dating Sites:

Free dating sites are infested with scammers. It is difficult to provide a precise percentage of scammers on Plenty of Fish (POF) or any other dating site, as this information is typically not publicly available and can change over time. The number of scammers on a dating platform can vary depending on factors such as the site's user base, security measures, and overall popularity.

As a free dating site, POF may attract a higher number of scammers than paid platforms with stricter verification processes. However, POF has implemented security measures, such as photo verification and automated systems to detect suspicious behavior, to combat scammers.

To minimize your risk of encountering scammers on POF or any other dating platform, it's important to be vigilant and follow safe online dating practices. Be cautious about sharing personal information, be wary of profiles that seem too good to be true, and report any suspicious behavior to the platform's moderators.

Keep in mind that no dating site can completely eliminate the risk of encountering scammers, but being aware of potential red flags and using reputable platforms can help you have a safer online dating experience.

One terrible example of online dating scam is this story. Deborah Montgomery Johnson was a widow, looking for new love after the death of her husband. She logged onto a dating site, then fell head over heels for an international man of mystery and was tricked into sending him north of a million dollars.

She thought the new boyfriend was British, a world traveler, a Christian of great integrity. Turned out, "he" was never real and a team of computer savvy Nigerians was pulling her strings the whole time.

In conclusion, online dating can be a valuable tool for meeting new people, but it's important to be aware of the potential dangers and red flags associated with it. By following safety tips and using reputable platforms, users can reduce their risk and enjoy a more positive online dating experience. A

Rachel Devine is the author of Lesson from the Needle in a Haystack & The Third Road.

Rachel’s online course, How to Attract your Soulmate, gives extensive details on attracting the person of your dreams.