Dating Scammers: How To Spot Them And What To Do

Online dating is a safe and happy way to meet people, as long as you keep your wits about you. Sadly, scammers know that many older Americans are kind, trusting and have retirement savings, and that is exactly why they target us. At Singles Over 80 we take fraud very seriously and work hard to keep these crooks off the site, but your own good sense is the best protection of all.

What Is A Dating Scammer?

A dating scammer pretends to want a relationship when really they are after your money. It is a crime, and the people behind it are often organized and very patient.

How To Spot A Dating Scammer

Language and grammar
Does the way they write match where they say they are from? Someone who says they spent forty years in Ohio should not write like a badly translated instruction manual. Watch for odd phrases such as "Hello my dear" or "I am William by name".

Moving too fast
Talk of soulmates after a handful of messages? Real people take their time. Scammers rush, because the sooner you are fond of them, the sooner they can ask for money.

Requests for money
Never send money, gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency to someone you met online, however sad the story. Common tales include a plane ticket to visit you, a hospital bill, customs fees on a package or an inheritance stuck overseas. Never share your banking details, Social Security number or passwords with anyone.

Profiles that do not add up
Be wary of profiles that say they work overseas, on an oil rig, deployed with the military or with a charity, or that say almost nothing at all. If the photo looks like it came from a magazine, it probably did.

Trust Your Instincts

If something does not feel right, it usually is not. Talk it over with family or a trusted friend before you do anything.

Protect Your Privacy

Be careful if someone you have only just met wants to move the conversation to email, WhatsApp or the phone straight away. Scammers do this to get away from our moderators. Keep chatting on the site until you feel comfortable.

How Do I Report A Suspected Scammer?

If a member does not seem to be who they claim, click the round button at the top right of their profile photo , select "Block User", then select "I Think It's A Fake Or Spam Profile" and follow the prompts on screen. A member of our team will look into it, and the person you reported will never know it was you. Once blocked, they will not be able to see your profile either.

If you think you have been scammed, call your bank right away so they can try to stop any payments, then report it to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. The FTC also has helpful advice on romance scams here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams.

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