Your online quest for love may not be all sunshine and rainbows.


Unfortunately, more and more people are "camouflaging" themselves to ambush their prey.


In fact, 10% of dating profiles are fake, created by catfishers and scammers who want to trick you.


So, how are you supposed to identify these fake profiles and know which ones to avoid?


Here are some tips to help you with that.



#1 “I'm sure I've seen her somewhere before”


5 pictures of women in different poses.


Consider it a red flag if a profile has only one or two photos.


Also, be wary of that person you swear you saw in an “underwear ad”.


You should look for an online dating profile that has several photos including candid and full body shots!


When someone uploads a full-body picture, it shows their honesty and openness. Someone who is trying to catfish will have a difficult time finding a full-body shot of another person that looks authentic.


Note to self: Beware of photos with a white background, since that could indicate they pulled it from the internet as a stock photo.



A woman smiling while reading a text 'OMG I love Shakespeare too'.


#2 “OMG I love Shakespeare too”


It’s not possible that he or she loves ALL the things you do!


To create the perfect online dating profile to baid you, scammers pay extreme attention to detail! Specifically,to your likes and dislikes so they can form a connection between them and the users.


It is easy to get excited and intrigued when finding a dating profile like this, but whichever the case you need to stay on your guard.


Behind this “perfect” profile might be a catfisher waiting to lure you in!


We are not saying that every profile is fake. However, just keep your wits about you when looking for a potential partner.


Note to self: It’s not THAT easy to find your Mr or Mrs Right.



#3 “Let’s meet up...NOW”


A woman smiling and a man standing while holding a cup are displayed on two phone screens while in front of them are popups and emojis.


First, spend some time knowing the other person online before you take it to the real world.


By doing so, you have a better chance of staying safe.


If your online match insists on meeting you face-to-face too soon, it should set off alarm bells -- they might not be who they claim to be!


Even if they’re not using a fake name, photos, or a made up story, they probably only want a hook up…or just looking to take advantage of you.


Note to self: Regardless of what they appear to be, you should always be cautious of anyone you meet online!



#4 “Empty profiles are the worst”


A phone display showing a blank online dating profile.


A blank profile is a bad profile!


No pictures or description in a profile should be a red flag.


In case the profile is filled with the same info over and over or has large sections that are left blank, it could be a fake.


They just quickly go through the registration process to gain access to the dating site. It doesn't matter to them what the profile is supposed to accomplish.


A real person would grab the opportunity to talk about themselves and what they are interested in.


Note to self: Always go through the profile of the other person to ensure authenticity.



#5 “Why should I send you money?”


An image of a smiling man holding a cup and an image of a shady figure with his hood on holding a mobile phone, are shown on two phone displays while in front of them cliparts of coins, cash, and hearts appear.


You should never send money or gifts to anyone you have not met in person.


In 2020, the FTC reported losses of $304 million due to romance scams. That's an increase of about 50% from 2019.


Tons of people use online dating sites to form a romantic relationship. But on the other side of the fence they may find a scammer trying to trick them into sending money.


To gain the trust of their victims, scammers establish romantic relationships. Sometimes by talking or chatting with them several times a day. After that, they make up a story and ask for money.


Note to self: Listen to your gut instinct. If the conversation takes a turn in this direction, stop communicating with the person immediately.



Conclusion


YES, we get it!


Online dating is complicated enough as it is, and you don't want to add to the confusion by thinking that people sending you messages are trying to harm you.


Nevertheless, it has its advantages. It's a great way for people to meet potential partners on their terms.


You shouldn't be afraid of online dating. Instead, embrace it!


Whether you are looking to find a date online or offline, you need to be relaxed so you don't come across as too conservative.


Just make sure you keep an eye out for red flags before connecting with anyone online.