Dating Online: Background

How the Online Dating Background Scam Works:

You are registered on an online dating website and find somebody you like. You start talking and it seems like everything is going well, but somehow you still have some reserves: maybe something sounds fishy or you just want to be extra careful.

That's when you might come across websites that are selling background check reports on individuals you want to find details about.

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As useful as this might sound, several of these companies are just taking advantage of people who are desperate to find someone they can really trust. Most of the reports are very poor as all the research is probably done on Google.
 

How to Avoid the Online Dating Background Scam:

There are just a few legitimate companies that provide professional background checking of online dating users. Make sure you verify their credentials and their online reputation on forums and with people who actually used them.

Since you are doing online dating, be also careful of schemes such as the Real Love Scam, Background Check, Free Meal Approach, Sex Extortion, Student Payment Scam and the Secret Admirer Card.

 

How to Report the Online Dating Background Scam:

Make your family and friends aware of this scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:

Report Scammers To The FTC Here

 

How to Protect Yourself More:

If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodical emails and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.