Catfishing is essentially when someone pretends to be someone they’re not online. It’s not just on Tinder – this can happen on many different dating apps and social media platforms. Users will steal other people’s photos or create imaginary identities for themselves, for various reasons.
Some might just be lonely and want attention, but others may be more malicious. They might try to trick other users into falling for them, then ask them to send money, explicit photos, or divulge deep, personal secrets.
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Phishing Links
Another common example of Tinder scams to watch out for these days is phishing. While it may sound similar to catfishing, it’s not the same thing. Phishing is when you get a link that seems legitimate but actually sends you to a fake or scam site, designed to steal your data.
On Tinder, bots and real users may send phishing links. They might claim that you need to click the link to verify your account, for example, or to see their photos or to chat with them outside of Tinder. That’s why it’s never a good idea to trust random links from people you don’t know.
Bots
Tinder has been battling bots for quite a while, but with AI technology getting better all the time, this is a problem that doesn’t seem to be going away. Bot profiles aren’t even operated by real people, they’re programmed to deliver canned responses that may seem human, but are false.
Often, bots will send users links to visit other sites, online games, or services. Most of the time, these links tie in with the phishing scams mentioned above and the bots are simply trying to get you to submit your data so the people behind them can exploit it.
Sextortion
Sextortion is one of the scariest Tinder scams in 2024. It’s basically a form of blackmail. Scammers will chat with Tinder users, seeming perfectly normal and friendly at first, in order to build up a connection with them.
Eventually, they’ll ask the users to send them nude photos or videos. If the user complies, the scammer may then reveal themselves and threaten to share the images online unless the user pays them or sends even more content.
“Sugar” Scams
So-called “sugar” scams are when someone approaches you on Tinder claiming to be a “sugar daddy” or “sugar mommy” – e.g., someone who is willing to pay you and buy you nice things if you’ll be in a relationship with them.
The scammer may then pretend to send some money, and ask their Tinder connection to pay a small “transaction” or “admin” fee to receive it. Only after paying the fee does the victim realize that the payment never actually existed in the first place.
Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
Links, Especially Early on in Conversations or in Bios
As explained above, several common Tinder scams involve sending fraudulent links to fake sites or malware. If a user asks you to click a link early in your conversation, or they have links in their bios that claim to offer more information or extra photos, that’s a big red flag.
Demands for Money
There may be rare cases when someone in trouble legitimately asks a Tinder connection for money. But, in the majority of cases, it’s a bad sign. Especially if you barely know the person or haven’t met in real life, you shouldn’t send anyone money.
Lack of Photos
Many fake profiles don’t have the same number of photos as real ones tend to have. They might only have one image, and it may look a little fake or heavily edited. Look for profiles that have plenty of photos and show the user with friends and in different settings.
Instant Responses
People on Tinder sometimes reply right away, but might be busy at times or need at least a few minutes to get back to you. If you have a contact who responds instantaneously every time, it may be a bot.
How to Stay Safe from Tinder Scams in 2024
- Don’t click on any links people send you on Tinder until you know them well enough.
- Never send money, personal info, or explicit photos to Tinder users you don’t know fully.
- Arrange to meet your Tinder dates in safe, public places to get to know them before taking any further steps in a relationship.
Report the Scam
If you encounter an illegitimate lender, you can go through Tinder’s own process to report them. You can also report them to the relevant authorities:
- Report to the FTC.
- Report to the FBI Internet Complaints Center.
How to Protect Yourself More
You can subscribe to our scam alerts to be one of the first to learn about new scams online.
As a subscriber, you’ll also get regular emails from the Scam Detector team. These include crucial tips and tricks to improve your online safety.
Learn more about other scam types, like phishing scams, so you know the warning signs and have less chance of becoming a victim.
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When my sweet old grandmother got caught up in an Amazon gift card scam, I decided then and there that I needed to do whatever I could to inform as many people as possible about the grifters of the world. That’s what I do here – writing about modern scams so you don’t get caught out.
Thank you!!!
It is so important that a proactive role be taken against greedy criminals. Sadly the lonely, divorced or widowed are often the prey. Thank you.
Another way to tell that something is a scam is by paying attention to a person’s grammar and English! If they have broken English, then
Often times it’s a scam! Many of these ppl are in Africa and are just trying to make money! I have encountered them before and I actually convinced one of the ppl to stop using the fake profile on fb and give his life to Christ! This is rare, but it can happen! Craigslist is another app that scams ppl sometimes. I just dealt with a scammer regarding a property for rent. He wanted me to pay for a credit and background check on his website before I had even seen the property! He said I would get a refund if I didn’t like the property. When I told him that’s not how it’s done, he said that the $29 would also hold the property for me! 🤦🏽♀️ I think not! When I told him that my husband wanted to talk to him bc he would be the primary applicant, he didn’t respond back to me. You have to know that if something sounds too good to be true, it is! He listed a property with 2 bed/2baths plus a bonus room for $800 a month. Sounds like a sweet deal, but it wasn’t! When I asked him for the address, it took him a long time to respond back. Then the address he gave was to an apartment, not a house! When I told him that was an apartment and not a house he said “I know, I also have a house at that location”! Okay! Do I look like boo boo da fool too you? Again, I think not! His English was broken and shortly after that correspondence I got an email from CL asking me to reset my password. So I know he tried to get into my account to steal my info! Just be careful ppl! No matter what site it is, there are scammers out there! Ppl like this sometimes try to lure you to a location in order to rob, rape, or kill you! Please, be safe in the name of Jesus!🙏🏽
This is extremely helpful to me as I am an easy mark and have been scammed a few times. Thank you so much for the info.
I ha e come across some of these scams. I Am now educated on avoiding them thanks to educators like you. Many thanks.