How do you spot a dating scammer?

Spotting a dating scammer can be a difficult task, but it is important to be aware of the signs to protect yourself from becoming a victim. Here are five tell-tale signs to help you spot a romance scam.

1. The scammer is quick to call it love. Scammers often use romantic language to quickly build trust and affection. They may declare their love for you after just a few conversations or even before you’ve met in person. This is a red flag that the person may not be genuine.

2. The scammer's profile contains vague or few images across platforms. Scammers often use stock photos or photos of someone else to create their profile. They may also use a fake name or have few pictures. If you’re suspicious, you can do a reverse image search to see if the photos are being used elsewhere.

3. The scammer asks for money. Scammers may ask for money for a variety of reasons, such as medical bills, travel expenses, or a “loan” to help them out of a difficult situation. If someone you’ve never met in person is asking for money, it’s a sure sign of a scam.

4. Allow relationships to develop slowly and naturally. Don’t rush into a relationship. Take your time getting to know someone and build trust before sharing personal information or meeting in person.

5. Set up a video chat to verify their identity. A video chat is a great way to verify someone’s identity. Ask the person to video chat with you and make sure the person you’re talking to is the same person in the photos.

By being aware of these signs, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of a dating scam. If you suspect someone is a scammer, don’t hesitate to report them to the dating site or app.