- Always communicate via the dating site. Be wary of anyone who tries to quickly move your conversations to WhatsApp, Skype, email or any other platform. Dating sites have in-built anti-fraud systems which monitor suspicious activity.
- Do not give too much away. Never divulge too much information, send compromising photos or give money to someone you haven't met.
- Use Google's Reverse Image search tool. On Google Images, there's a camera icon next to the search box. Click this to upload a picture and Google will search the internet to see if it matches other images. If it brings up a profile of someone with a different name, you can prove the fraudster is not who they say they are.
- Google phrases from their profile. Does the text appear elsewhere with different information, such as a different photo, age or location? Does it appear on anti-scammer sites and forums?
- If you are suspicious, report it; even if you haven't lost money. Speak to someone you trust first; if they are worried too, contact Action Fraud. The more reports received, the more they can see the methodology being used. If it goes under-reported, fewer police resources will be dedicated to it in future, so it is imperative members of the public come forward.
Sunday, 2 February 2020
Avoid Dating Fraud
Dating fraudsters seek lonely women and men and play on their emotions to try and persuade them to part with money. The type of crime is on the rise. Here are the ways you can protect yourself.
