Dating apps: how to protect yourself from scams?

Never log in with your social accounts

Are you used to connecting with Facebook or Instagram? Not on a dating app! Indeed, Tinder, Hinge or even Bumble exchange data with the networks. As a result, your list of Facebook friend suggestions or Insta follows will be largely made up of profiles from the dating application. For privacy and anonymity, we’ll come back!

So, to keep a protective filter, you connect with your email or your phone. Small additional tip, use different photos from your social networks. This avoids finding your Insta account by simple reverse image search.

Note that for more anonymity, Tinder offers an Incognito mode, useful if your account is connected to your social networks.

Swipe with caution

By swiping on a dating application, dozens of profiles will scroll across your screen. Among them, verified profiles; the application certifies that it is the person in the image. But, however, there are also fakes, bots, scams and other predators.

If the profile is anonymous, with no photo or just one or two with no people on it, that’s a big red flag. Full left!

If the photo looks too perfect, almost out of a magazine, feel free to check it out through an image search. It’s probably a catfish, these identity theft scams.

Be careful in conversation

You have matched, the conversation opens, what are the red flags? First, in a basic way, any unwanted or suspicious links should not be clicked. Then, be very wary of profiles that suggest you very quickly to go on another chat: WhatsApp, Snapchat or even directly by SMS.

It can be a romance scam, or webcam blackmail, in short, your conversation can quickly take a very unpleasant turn. As long as you do not trust the interlocutor, never share confidential information and keep the dating app filter.

Never hesitate to block / report a profile

If a profile corresponds to one or more of these red flags, or to suspicious or dangerous behavior, never hesitate to block it, to protect yourself, but also to report it.

Well, if you want to be perfectly safe, know that Tinder will soon offer a subscription for 500 dollars per month! It’s not for now, but at this price, there will be no scams, right?