If their name, age, and location are the only thing filled out, chances are they’re fake. Check to see if they’ve linked their social media accounts to the page. Real profiles tend to plug their Instagram or Snapchat in their bios.
Fake profiles usually use pictures of headshots stolen from Google or stock photo websites. You can do a reverse search on the image to trace it. Start by right clicking on the image and saving it to your desktop. Then, go to Google Images and click “Search by image. " Click “Upload an image," select the picture from your files, and run the search. [4] X Research source
Notice if they have followers in common across all platforms. Friends usually follow friends on all social media. Check to see if they’re tagged in any of their followers’ posts.
Now, talking to someone from another country on a dating app or site isn’t bad! The beauty of online dating is you can meet people from anywhere. But if they repeatedly mention that they need your help, they’re trying to scam you.
Never give your email, phone number, or any other personal information to someone online. If they ask, simply tell them “no,” or move on and connect with a different profile.
Think about what common errors you make when texting a friend. Is the person behind the profile making the same errors, or are theirs much worse? Look out for generic messages, too. They may send something like, “Hello, My name is…”
Ignore their message, or, better yet, try finding another profile to connect with. Virus scanners like Norton, Malwarebytes, and HouseCall can help you detect any threats in case you did click on an unknown link.
If you’re not sure if they’re fake but want to give them your phone number to find out, set up a Google Voice account. This will give you a separate phone number that’ll forward all messages to your real phone number, and the profile won’t have a clue the number isn’t truly yours!
Do you feel uncomfortable by the sudden intimacy? Be honest with them and double check their profile.
If they do pick up, their camera will most likely be covered or their voice will be distorted or sound very different to how you imagined. They may sound older, younger, more feminine, more masculine, or even like they’re in a tunnel.
They might lie and say they’ve suddenly been sent overseas, have to travel for work, or need to visit a sick family member. Watch out for sob stories. Saying a family member or close friend died is a manipulative tactic to make you feel bad for them.
It’s possible that there’s more than one person behind a scam account. Be aware of how many times they claim to have forgotten something you’ve told them.
A fake profile may claim to be famous, rich, or even royal. If you Google their name and nothing pops up, they’re definitely not a celebrity. Search for them on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google for information on their career. If they’re telling the truth, chances are they have a LinkedIn account tied to their job.
