Internet dating scams are on the rise. Here’s what to watch out for

Today’s post on online dating scams is written by Marlee. I did a couple of posts on scamming, and I wanted you to get another perspective. 🙂

A little nugget of info about me? I’m a bit too trusting.

Okay I’m way too trusting.

I’m not necessarily gullible, I just to think that deep down all people are generally good.

I don’t want to meet someone and instantly have to judge them. Basically, everyone has an open opportunity to wrong me, because until you do, I feel I have no reason not to trust you.

And then we have real life, where a great number of people are actively looking for someone like me, so they can take advantage of them and then be on their way. Well, in the world of online dating I’ve come across a few sketchy instances, so I did my research.

As it turns out, online dating is the same as any other kind of dating… if there’s a way to scam you, someone is already working on it.

So here are a few telltale signs you might be getting scammed by someone on your internet dating site:

Email tone is a bit inconsistent, or appears scripted.

Have you ever been texting someone, only to get a text and thought to yourself, “Well that doesn’t sound like something they would say…” It’s the same with email. Every person has a certain tone and rhythm with which they talk, and that same tone and rhythm is generally communicated through writing as well. So when it suddenly changes, don’t be afraid to bring up something you may have talked about earlier to test it out a bit. An internet dating scam typically has more than one person on an account, so by all means find out as much about the person as you can.

They’ve got tons of pictures, but not a lot of details.

Pictures are a scammers best way to reel you in. They’re instant visual gratification. You see someone, think they’re cute, can’t find any information so you send an email. Scammers can us this to individually cater to each person that rights in. Are you an animal lover? Well than the person you’re talking too just happens to be the owner of 2 dogs and 2 cats. Are you an avid water-skier? They own a boat. So be careful, no information often means the pictures are just a set up.

They ask for cash.

Yes, yes, I know, you already know if someone asks you to wire them money online not to do it, for any reason whatsoever. But that might be a little bit easier said than done if you happen to be talking to someone you think is a real person for a month and a half. Now that you’re emotionally invested, it’s the perfect time to hit you with a sob story ending with them desperately in need of some cash. Don’t fall for it. Ever.

Their pictures are difficult to see (too dark, too far away), and they only contact you at random times (2:00) in the morning.

This is a classic case of the other person being married. Think about it, if they’re really looking for someone they would’ve put up a decent picture so people can who they really are (unless they’re grotesquely unattractive). Telling someone they work night shifts, so they can only talk to them from 2:00-4:00 in the morning is pure bologna. I’ve worked my fair share of night shifts and I am still always able to find time to associate with people who have normal, daytime hour lives. Resorting to contacting you at random hours is the equivalent of the cyber-booty-call.

They claim to be out of the country, arriving back in a few weeks.

This may in fact be correct, but just keep in mind that this is the favorite setup of all scammers. In a few weeks, when they are “about to return” something will happen. They will be deserted, have no way home, and have no money. Politely tell them you are in no position to help, and recommend they go to a church or an embassy to figure things out. If they stop contacting you after that don’t feel bad, they were most likely a scammer.

In any of these instances, make sure you are doing everything you can to protect yourself. Under no circumstances should you be giving anyone money, for any reason. Sometimes it’s best to use a separate email account than your personal one, and always hand out your cell phone number instead of your house number. Anyone can use your home number to find your address in a matter of seconds. So enjoy yourself, but make sure you keep an eye out!

For more on online dating scams, check out my post.

Talk later– JT