Romance scams have cost people $300 million since 2020. The Federal Trade Commission says that’s a higher number than any other scam.Now, dating apps are launching a campaign to educate users.Romance scams don’t victimize a lot of people. But when they do, the losses can be huge.Data from the Global Anti-Scam Organization shows that the average reported loss in 2022 from romance scams was more than $190,000. That’s up from $120,000 the year before.Many scammers target their victims in online dating apps. For that reason, the Match Group – which is the parent company of Tinder, Match, Hinge and Plenty of Fish – has rolled out a public awareness campaign.If you use these services, you’ll start seeing messages pointing out common behaviors to watch for.Those tips include using tools available in the app, such as verifying your profile with photo and looking for the verification check on your matches.If the person you are talking to is giving you cryptocurrency and investment advice, there’s a high probability it’s a scam.Another tip: Scammers will play on your heartstrings and appear to be desperate for money. Requests for money should be a giant red flag.Experts recommend you keep talking with a potential date on the app as long as possible.”You want to keep them on that app. You want to keep talking to them, and if they’re not willing to keep you on that service, that’s a really huge flag for you to look for to make sure fraudsters aren’t trying to get you off of our apps too soon,” said Buddy Loomis, the Match Group’s head of law enforcement operations and investigations.Getting you off the app means they’re trying to transfer your conversation to another platform.And if they are only communicating through e-mail or text messages – no video chats or phone calls – that’s another sign of a scam.Related video: Woman loses hundreds of thousands of dollars to romance scam
Romance scams have cost people $300 million since 2020. The Federal Trade Commission says that’s a higher number than any other scam.
Now, dating apps are launching a campaign to educate users.
Romance scams don’t victimize a lot of people. But when they do, the losses can be huge.
Data from the Global Anti-Scam Organization shows that the average reported loss in 2022 from romance scams was more than $190,000. That’s up from $120,000 the year before.
Many scammers target their victims in online dating apps. For that reason, the Match Group – which is the parent company of Tinder, Match, Hinge and Plenty of Fish – has rolled out a public awareness campaign.
If you use these services, you’ll start seeing messages pointing out common behaviors to watch for.
Those tips include using tools available in the app, such as verifying your profile with photo and looking for the verification check on your matches.
If the person you are talking to is giving you cryptocurrency and investment advice, there’s a high probability it’s a scam.
Another tip: Scammers will play on your heartstrings and appear to be desperate for money. Requests for money should be a giant red flag.
Experts recommend you keep talking with a potential date on the app as long as possible.
“You want to keep them on that app. You want to keep talking to them, and if they’re not willing to keep you on that service, that’s a really huge flag for you to look for to make sure fraudsters aren’t trying to get you off of our apps too soon,” said Buddy Loomis, the Match Group’s head of law enforcement operations and investigations.
Getting you off the app means they’re trying to transfer your conversation to another platform.
And if they are only communicating through e-mail or text messages – no video chats or phone calls – that’s another sign of a scam.
Related video: Woman loses hundreds of thousands of dollars to romance scam
