How to avoid online dating scams.
admin | Dec 27, 2009 | Comments 0
With the explosion in growth of online dating, it is no surprise scammers are lurking around in cyberspace trying to lure and trap unsuspecting victims. These scams always invariably involve money and trust. By understanding how these scams work, you can take adequate steps to prevent parting with not only your cash, but with your heart, pride and dignity intact. Here are a few ‘red flags’ that indicate that someone is trying to scam you.
Being asked for money.
This is undoubtedly the Number 1 sign that you are about to be scammed. But don’t think that the scammer will just ask for the money per se. They are quite creative and will usually have a well rehearsed story to try to con you out of your money. They can ask you to help with the cost of a plane ticket so they can visit you, or they might claim they are in an emergency and need you to help out with a quick loan until they get out of the ‘fix’ and pay you back the loan. Some of them actually build up a relationship with their victims over several months in order to gain their trust. However method they try, DON’T send any money. If you do, you will never get your money back.
Being secretive and/or vague.
When a person seems overly interested in knowing all about you but is unwilling to share a lot about themselves then something is not quite right. While this is not always the case, online dating like everything else in life should be about giving and receiving. Too much of one or the other should make you sit up and take notice. It could be that they have a few aliases on the go and cannot remember the details they’ve given to one person from another. It could also be that they are members of a syndicate and cannot remember what lies the other members have spun. If the style, contents or statements vary or things don’t seem they way they should, walk away. If something doesn’t feel right, then it isn’t.
Fake photographs.
Most scammers use photographs copied from other websites. They use attractive photographs of models and you can’t believe your luck in the hope of grabbing your attention. If the photograph looks like it has been taken in professional settings and then photoshopped or airbrushed, then ask for more photographs in different settings. You can even ask them to take a photograph with an item of your choosing like a red ball or to stand in a particular way. Make sure you dictate the rules though and don’t be swayed if they try to lead you down along another path. They might have other photographs in a certain pose they intend to send. Scammers will actually steal someone else’s photo and post it and thus will be unable to provide the photos you request in a certain pose. This is not advice to make you suspicious of everything, just be suspicious enough to ask questions in the beginning before you lose your heart.
Be wise.
Scammers almost always are the ones to initiate contact. This in itself is not a bad thing but if you have been approached by someone you met through an internet dating site and who claims to need your help transferring money out of their country, delete the email, throw away the letter or say no. You should remember that money laundering could be a crime, and if you agree to help out the scammer you could be getting yourself in trouble. Trust your instincts and err on the side of caution. If something seems just not right, politely decline and block the member. don’t give out personally identifiable information until you feel comfortable enough to trust the person and always meet in a public place. If your date is as good as you think they are, they’ll understand and will be willing to get to know you over time and allow you in their world as well.
This article was first published on curvydate.co.uk. A secure UK dating BBW site and a place to develop friendship, romance, or marriage with like-minded lovers of big beautiful women and plus size singles.
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