8 Steps to Identify and Avoid Online Dating Scammers

Online dating scams are, unfortunately, a reality of the internet dating scene. The vast majority of profiles are honest, authentic people looking for love. Furthermore, the best dating sites have their own algorithms to weed out fake profiles before they reach your screen. But scammers get smarter every year, so it’s best to arm yourself with all the knowledge. From spotting dodgy profiles to picking up on scammer behaviour, we’ve outlined the 8 most important steps for how to avoid online dating scammers.

Who does Dating Site Scams Target?

Scammers target everyone, so don’t assume you’re safe because you’re savvy. Anyone can fall into the trap of flattery and attention, which few of us are immune from. Having said that, people who are particularly vulnerable to dating site scams in Canada include older people. This is simply because they may not be as well-versed in the online scam world as younger users. Other vulnerable people include those with money, as this is what scammers are usually looking for. Anyone who trusts too easily and doesn’t look out for the warning signs is also vulnerable to scammers.

How to Identify a Dating Scammer?

The first step in avoiding online dating scammers is knowing how to spot one. These 8 steps are key to identifying any funny business. Some scammers will be identified through just one of these 8 steps, whilst others might fall foul of a few. Remember, sometimes it’s not an individual user who is trying to scam you, but an entire site. As well as looking out for the warning signs below, be on the lookout for scam dating websites. Our Datingranker team experts select only high-quality, reliable and trusted dating services. Avoid shoddy sites or sites that require expensive subscriptions and have poor online reviews.

1. Profile Warning Signs

By knowing the profile warning signs, you can usually guard yourself against an online dating scammer early on. When you know the signs, you can avoid ever finding yourself in the position of chatting to someone you’re not sure about. One of the first major profile warning signs is one that is too good to be true. Very few people actually look like models, and even fewer have photos taken by professional photographers in stunning settings. This is a clear scam designed to draw you in. In the same vein, they may also claim to be insanely wealthy. Additional profile warning signs include incomplete or inconsistent profiles.

2. They try to Take the Conversation Elsewhere

So you want to discuss their relationship history, but they won’t stop talking about something else? This is another commonality of dating website scam artists. It may be that they are directing the conversation in order to trap you (e.g., to send money). Or perhaps because they cannot maintain the fake profile. As fake users, they might find it hard to answer personal questions in detail and will direct the conversation to something they can talk about. Either way, this is another red flag when it comes to spotting online dating scammers.

3. Your Match Professes Love Early on

Whilst ‘love at first sight’ is a common romantic fantasy, it’s not a reality. Anyone who professes to have fallen for you instantly online is generally up to something. In fact, when it comes to dating site scams in Canada, this is a common alarm bell. It’s natural to feel flattered when someone shows interest in you, especially when it appears to be intense, and even passionate. However, it’s important to keep your wits about you and question the motive of someone who falls in love instantly.

4. Dating Scammers Avoid Meet-ups

A major way how to spot a dating scammer is when they avoid meeting up with you. Anyone with a genuine romantic, or even friendly interest, will want to meet up eventually. That is the point of a dating site. It might be that they claim they cannot afford to meet, or even that they are too shy. They may give different reasons each time you ask or claim to have been burned in the past. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with cold feet, and your potential data may genuinely feel anxious about a meet-up. But that is not the same as someone who actively avoids it.

5. Dating Scammers Avoid Video Chat Completely

Even the shyest of internet daters will understand that a video chat is a great way to get to know someone. But any user who avoids video chat completely is likely to be a fake. They probably don’t match their profile picture for a start and have no intention of meeting up or looking for love. If they give different, evasive, or plainly odd reasons for not wanting to do a video chat, this is key in how to spot an online dating scammer.

6. They Request Money from You

Want to know how to spot scammers on dating sites? Look out for anyone that asks you for money. Many scammers tell users that they require money so that they can travel to meet up, or perhaps for clothes for the date. Other scammers will tell you their family needs money for something urgent. 99.9% of the time it is a scam. In the rare and unlikely case that they are genuine, and need money in order to meet up with you, then ask yourself; is this someone you want to know better?

7. They ask for Your Help with Financial Transactions

How do you know if you are being scammed on a dating site? This is a major red flag. They might ask you to accept money and then move it to another account. Or pay money somewhere, and they will pay you back. It might be that they ask you to gift them a subscription for another site. Whatever it is, decline. If a dating site user asks you for any help with financial transactions, block and report.

8. They send You a Link to Another Service or Website

Scammers may suggest you sign up to another dating site, or send you a link to a commercial website. This can be an indirect way for how scammers to ask for money. It may be that the scammed user owns the other site, or they are working on behalf of someone else. The other site might be an alternative dating site, or it might be a related webpage. It can even be an escorting or illegal site. Either way, never buy a product or sign-up for something online, when someone you don’t know has suggested that you do it.

How to Outsmart a Romance Scammer

It’s not enough to know how to identify a scammer online, you need to be able to outsmart them too. That means realizing they are fake before you’ve fallen for any sort of trap. If you’re not sure, asking for more pictures or requesting a video call or meet-up will usually tell you what you need to know. Always block any user that you’re not 100% sure about. Furthermore, make sure you report them to the dating site so that they cannot try to scam anyone else.

Conclusion

It’s a sad reality that scammers exist everywhere, even in the world of online dating. But don’t let this put you off searching for your perfect match online, because it really is a great way of finding love. You just need to know how to avoid online dating scammers. Start by using reputable Top 10 dating sites that have measures in place to detect scammers. Arm yourself with knowledge about spotting dating scammers and report profiles you’re not sure about. Finally, be careful about giving out personal information, and never, ever send anyone money.