According to the Pew Research Center, 30 percent of all U.S. adults in 2022 said that they have used a dating app at some point in their lives. Of note, Over half (52 percent) said they came across others who they felt were trying to scam them. According to the Federal Trade Commission, millions of people are targeted by scammers on dating sites, and they estimate that one in ten dating profiles could be fake. In 2021, they claim there was $547 million in losses due to romance scams in the U.S. In a word, scamming is rampant in the online dating world. Here are some things to look for to avoid more than a broken heart in your next dating experience:

• If it doesn’t seem real, it probably isn’t. Scammer profiles typically use stock photos and boiler plate language, copied from other users. Look for similarities among profiles and photos that look more like modeling agency headshots than a real life person.
• Avoiding a personal meeting. Those who want to string you along until you are vulnerable will invent reasons why you cannot meet them face-to-face. They might invent emergencies (medical or legal) that may seem plausible as they ask you for financial help. They may say they have employment overseas and cannot get to their bank accounts right away, requesting a temporary loan. If someone is not willing to meet you in person, move on to the next one. They may get angry, or worse, lavish you with compliments and gifts to weaken your resolve. Don’t let that sway you. Seeing someone with your own eyes is the first, and most basic, step in guarding against fraud.

What you can do before you get scammed:

• Reverse search photos. Before communicating with someone, do a reverse image search on their photos to see if they have been used elsewhere under another name. This can easily be done using Google Lens. This is a must before you reach out to anyone or respond to their messages.
• Check out what and who they say they are. Most everyone can be found on the internet and social media. Once you begin communicating with someone interesting, ask for their full name and phone number. If they refuse to give you either, that’s a huge red flag. When they do, search for social media accounts, their company’s website where they may be listed as an employee, and public sites for a criminal record search (e.g. Georgia Felon Search). If you end up with a phone number, search it online to see if there are any scam or fraud alerts attached to it. If they pass these tests, you can relax, but not completely.
• Pay for a background check. As much as you might not want to invest money in this search, it’s probably the best insurance policy for you, especially if you have children and want to make sure the person you are inviting into your life is safe. Resolve Investigations can do a thorough and discrete search of your prospective dating partner at an affordable rate. We can’t promise you a lifetime of love, but we can provide you with some peace of mind while you look for The One.