Looking to date online but worried about Tinder scams? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worry not, we are here to help you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the past five years, Tinder users have lost around $1,300,000,000, with the figure topping $547,000,000 in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a lot of money – but the figure could be even higher in real terms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to FTC research, the age bracket most at risk of being scammed is the 60+ group. At the same time, it\u2019s reckoned that this is also the age bracket that underreports romance fraud, perhaps out of embarrassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a nutshell, Tinder scams are real and they could happen to anyone who just wants to find love online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, we\u2019re going to take a look at the Tinder scams you need to look out for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll show you how to detect them, avoid them, and all the warning signs while you're dating online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tinder verification scam or Tinder code scam isn\u2019t a new scam – in fact, it\u2019s one of the oldest tricks in the book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The culprit will start by posing as a high-value real person who\u2019s afraid of being scammed by you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the event, they\u2019ll start off by matching with you before asking if you\u2019re a verified user. If you say that you\u2019re not a verified user, they will ask you to verify your Tinder account for their own safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pretty smart – but also very dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happens next is they send you a link that allows you to \u201cverify\u201d your Tinder account. But what\u2019s actually happening is you\u2019re sending them your key details that enable them to commit fraud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an easy scam to fall for because, naturally, we want to talk to people we\u2019ve matched with who look great in their pics. But unless we verify our profile for them, we can't talk to them! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you visit the link, you'll be asked for key personal data like your name, address, phone number, email, Social Security number, birth date, and even your bank account or credit card number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jeez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Tinder FAQs, phone verification is a two-step process that includes pose verification and face verification. Once your selfie photos have passed both these steps, you will receive verification status. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t worry – your selfie photos won\u2019t be added to your profile. Instead, they\u2019ll be stored on Tinder\u2019s servers to make sure that any future verification is a piece of cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tinder bot profiles are everywhere. If you match with one and don\u2019t recognize that it\u2019s a bot, it might lure you into a bit of online romance before eventually trying to scam you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, Tinder bots are easy to spot once you know the signs to look out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A catfish is someone who creates a fake identity on Tinder (and other dating apps and sites) and basically pretends to be someone they\u2019re not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019ll charm you, romance you and make you laugh on Tinder \u2026 but they\u2019re only here to get money out of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are all kinds of catfish horror stories on Tinder and they almost always involve profiles that often seem too good to be true: Hot girls or hot guys who are having lots of fun with their friends in their photos and who clearly love life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the best thing is? They\u2019ve matched with you and seem to really like you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to all this, it\u2019s really easy to get hooked in by a catfish and scammed out of all your money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tinder blackmail scam is scary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naturally, you\u2019re probably wondering how the heck someone can scam you online if you\u2019ve ever even met them yet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, let\u2019s imagine you get talking to a catfish without realizing it. Things are going so well that they\u2019ve asked you if you\u2019d like to send them a few risqu\u00e9 pictures of yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, nudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe you got a bit carried away, felt good about this person – and went ahead and sent them the pics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem now is that, because they\u2019re catfish, they\u2019re holding onto your pics as a bargaining chip. Unless you send them cash, they will share them online so that your friends and family members will see them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most unusual – and seemingly pointless – Tinder scams is the venue promotion scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is when someone on Tinder (or off Tinder, such as Facebook) will organize a group meet-up for singles who want to meet other singles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, they\u2019ll message you and ask if you want to meet with everyone at a neutral venue, such as a restaurant, that they have hired for the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea is that you all get together, chat – and maybe make a date with someone you like the look of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality is that there never was a venue booked in the first place! Instead, the \u201chost\u201d has tricked a group of people into meeting at a restaurant \u2026 but the host doesn\u2019t even turn up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happens is that the host uses you guys to pay for their huge tab and meal! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A venue promotion scam can be easy to fall for because it sounds so real. You\u2019ll be meeting other singles at a totally legit location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What could go wrong? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Say No to being invited to a group event. If someone comes to you unsolicited on Tinder or elsewhere and asks you to join a Tinder event at a specified location, just politely decline. Tinder events are never organized like this (where the host asks you).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suggest an alternative location. If a Tinder match has invited you to a Tinder event, tell them you\u2019d rather go on a one-on-one date. If they accept, you know they\u2019re genuine. If you refuse, you know you\u2019ve caught them out. At this point, you can report them to Tinder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve already walked you through a number of ways you can spot a scam on Tinder, such as if they ask you for money or invite you to a group event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n