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Online dating scams are unfortunately still prevalent and impact thousands of people. In 2018, the FBI received 351,937 romance scam complaints. It’s no secret that there are deceptive people online who want to take advantage of vulnerable and lonely individuals — and they see singles on dating sites as easy targets.
Our goal is to arm you against those cybercriminals, so you don’t become one of those 5,800 complaints. We’ve put together some important tips about spotting and avoiding online dating scams and choosing dating sites you can rely on to keep you safe. Feel free to use the links below if you want to jump ahead in the article.
Spotting Online Dating Scams Scam-Free Dating Sites
We've reviewed dating websites like RSVP, eHarmony, Oasis, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish and Zoosk, as well as apps Bumble and Tinder, to help you single out which kind of site is most likely to suit you. Our investigation looks at key things like price, privacy, and demographics and found that online dating scams are rife, and some privacy policies. A private, membership-based dating app for Jews with ridiculously high standards. Finally find someone your grandma would approve of. Curated Community. The only exclusive club where down-to-earth is sexier than an instagram following.
Ways to Spot Common Online Dating Scams
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Staying safe online is all about knowing what to look for. Here are some of the most common online dating scams we’ve found in our research and how to avoid them. Once you’re in the know, the power is in your hands.
1. They Ask for Money
Someone with genuine intentions will never ask a stranger online for money — that’s what friends, family, and banks are for. If a match is asking you to pay for something — whether for their travel arrangements to come see you, their online dating membership because it’s expiring soon, or anything else — block and report that person to the site right away. No exceptions. Under no circumstances is it O.K. to give money to someone you don’t know.
2. They Use Poor Grammar and Make a Lot of Spelling Mistakes
We all miss commas and make typos here and there, but if a dating profile or message is made up of 90% mistakes, that’s cause for an eyebrow raise. A significant number of scammers are from other countries (usually Russia, Nigeria, Ghana, Ukraine, South Africa, Jamaica, or Brazil), so keep an eye out for a lot of broken English and weird word choices.
If a match’s profile and messages are missing a lot of words, commas, and periods, that’s a red flag.
It’s also worth copying and pasting a few of their sentences into Google to see if they stole that language from someone else or another site.
3. They Have Few Pictures or Only One
When you’re online dating, photos are equally as important as text, so if you’re talking with someone who only has one blurry or stock photo, your Spidey sense should be tingling. Sometimes the profile’s photo looks too good to be true. Sure, maybe there are model-quality single gals out there, but a lot of times a scammer will post a photo of a beautiful young woman to target single men, especially older men.
You could try to prove they are who they say they are by making a game of it. Send a selfie (keep it PG) and ask for one of them in return. You can also plug the photo into TinEye’s reverse image search to see if it appears somewhere else (aka a stock photo depository).
4. They Express Strong Feelings for You Very Soon
Love at first sight can definitely happen, and there have been plenty of stories about people who fell in love within weeks of meeting and who are still together today. However, online daters should guard their feelings during those early stages when they’re getting to know someone because it’s so easy to lie, embellish, and misjudge people online.
Remember that you don’t know this person or his/her intentions, and take things slow until you’ve built trust online and in person.
When someone is rushing through the getting-to-know-you phase online, you’ll want to be cautious.
If an online match seems to be rushing the getting-to-know-each-other phase and jumping right into declarations of “I’ve been waiting for someone like you for my whole life” or “I can’t believe we found each other,” that should raise some alarms. Especially if you haven’t even met the person yet.
With such ardent love declarations, they could be trying to appeal to your emotional side, so you’ll throw caution to the wind and let someone untrustworthy into your life. Maybe they’re sincere. Or maybe they are more attracted to your bank account than your personal qualities. Only time will tell, so give yourself plenty of space and time to figure out the truth.
5. They Keep Putting Off Meeting in Person
The end goal of online dating is to find someone you like and get offline ASAP. When the person you’re talking to constantly has an excuse for why they can’t meet up, you should be wary. They’re either not that into you and are breadcrumbing you, or they aren’t who they say they are and are trying to scam you.
A majority of scams involve someone who says they’re in a different country, so it makes sense that it would take a while to go on a real-life date, right? However, this is their reasoning for why you should send them money. Something else to consider is why would they be looking for someone outside of their own country, and why would they do so if they can’t afford to get there in the first place?
Scam-Free Dating Sites
The media often covers online dating scams because they make for lurid and flashy headlines. However, it’s not all con artists and catfishers out there. We’ve heard plenty of online dating success stories to counter the bad seeds. In fact, about 17% of newlyweds meet each other online, and some of our own writers have found love on a dating app.
Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you from finding something great. There are plenty of dating websites you can trust to have your back, and we’ve compiled a list of the best below. These sites have all have been around for years, use strict screening processes and advanced technology to protect members, and receive positive reviews regularly.
1. Match
Match.com was founded in 1995, making it the first dating site ever. No one has more history and is more respected in the online dating industry than Match. The site has three out of five stars on Google Play, was called one of the top 100 sites by PC Magazine, and is responsible for the most romantic connections of any of its competitors.
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System:Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say:“Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| All Singles* | 49%* 51%* | 39.7 Million* | Try Match.com FREE |
In terms of safety, Match offers customer service via chat Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST as well as 24/7 support via email. You can also check out their How to Date Safely page, which will tell you how to report suspicious behavior and keep your personal and financial information private.
2. Zoosk
Zoosk came onto the online dating market in 2007 when mobile apps were just starting to take off. Zoosk was, at one point, the number one grossing dating app and a top 25 grossing app in the App Store. We’d credit a majority of this popularity to the Behavioral Matchmaking™ system, which remembers your on-site behavior (who you search for, like, message, etc.) and uses that information to deliver highly compatible matches.
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:Search and get match recommendations
Our Experts Say:“Zoosk is integrated with social media sites, like Facebook and Google+, so it's very popular with singles on the go...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| All Singles* | 48%* 52%* | 28.9 Million* | Start Zoosk for FREE |
If you experience any problems on the site or app, the Zoosk team can be reached at (888) 939-6675 and support@zoosk.com. Zoosk also provides numerous do’s and don’ts for identifying scammers and getting their profiles removed.
3. EliteSingles
Not only is EliteSingles one of the most unique dating websites out there, with a focus on education, but the site also has some of the most reliable security features. These include the Trust and Safety page, which answers frequently asked questions such has “How secure are my personal details?” and SSL-encryption technology (you’ll notice the lock symbol on the left side of the URL).
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Serious Relationships
Match System:Search, Receive Partner Suggestions
Our Experts Say:“EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| All Singles* | 44%* 56%* | 2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Online Dating Sites Any Age
The site also has personnel dedicated to monitoring for fraudsters, reviewing every profile and photo before it’s uploaded, and writing blog posts to keep members informed.
4. eharmony
As a relationship-driven site, eharmony is another pioneer in this space, having been co-created in 2000 by Dr. Neil Clark Warren, a clinical psychologist, marriage counselor, relationship author, Christian theologian, and seminary professor. The site is for serious-minded daters and uses an in-depth questionnaire to identify true compatibility.
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Casual Dates, Deep Relationships
Match System:Personality test suggests matches
Our Experts Say:“Accounting for 2% of U.S. marriages, eharmony's compatibility-based system and commitment-minded user base are ideal for those seeking a serious relationship...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| All Straight Singles* | 48%* 52%* | 4.1 Million* | View Profiles FREE |
The main thing people seem to like about eharmony is the site does all the searching and matching, which means potential scammers are less likely to be on the prowl since they have less control.
5. OurTime
Safety is usually a top concern for online daters, especially mature singles, and that’s where OurTime comes in. This site is exclusively for men and women aged 50 and older, so it knows how to cater to this audience and their needs.
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Dates and Relationships
Match System:Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say:“OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| Mature Singles (50+)* | 48%* 52%* | 8.9 Million* | Over 50? Try It FREE |
In addition to having a user-friendly layout, search functionality, and matching process, OurTime has an extensive tips section similar to Match’s.
6. Christian Mingle
Launched in 1998, Christian Mingle is somewhat of an oldie in terms of dating websites, but it’s still definitely a goodie. And the safety components just keep coming. The team inspects all of the site’s profiles and photos and addresses dozens of concerns on the FAQs page, including how to choose a fun but secure username and not to worry about asking a match a lot of questions.
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Dates and Serious Relationships
Match System:Search by gender, age, education, more
Our Experts Say:“ChristianMingle is among the largest dating sites in the industry that only caters to single Christian men and women, and the site has some of the best search filters and safety features...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| Christian Singles* | 44%* 56%* | 3.5 Million* | Try Now for $19.99/Month |
As long as you’re communicating on Christian Mingle, you’re protected by their features, so we’d recommend messaging and chatting with your matches on the site until you’ve gone on a few dates and are comfortable with them.
7. BlackPeopleMeet
BlackPeopleMeet is part of the People Media family, just like Match and OurTime, so the site has pretty much all of the same security tools. On the Dating Tips page, you’ll find advice from the team as well as links to other expert resources such as the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Hotline and the National Violence Hotline.
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
Match System:Search by location, age, more
Our Experts Say:“BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| Black Singles* | 47%* 53%* | 5.7 Million* | FREE Trial for New Users |
BlackPeopleMeet also sends a verification email to every new user, so if a scammer is using a fake account, they’re more likely to get caught.
8. SilverSingles
Another well-known senior dating site, SilverSingles puts users first and understands the individual desires of mature daters. Take a look at the comprehensive Help section, which will walk you through things like hiding your profile if you want to and blocking someone who’s being abusive to you or other members.
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Friendship, Casual Dates, Serious Relationships
Match System:Search by age, location, height, education, ethnicity, and religion
Our Experts Say:“SilverSingles caters to relationship-minded singles over 50 with simple, safe, and effective online dating tools...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| Mature Singles (50+)* | 41%* 59%* | 800,000* | Sign up for FREE |
The customer care team can be reached Monday through Friday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST), or you can fill out a contact form. Using the latter method, you should expect to get a response within 48 hours.
9. BeNaughty
Sometimes people think hookup sites can’t be safe, but that’s not always the case. BeNaughty wants frisky singles to have a fun and equally safe experience, so the site utilizes SSL encryption technology, just like EliteSingles, and requires members to confirm their identity via a text or a phone call.
Our expert ratings are based on factors such as popularity, usability, value, and success rate of each site.
Relationships:Hookups, Chats
Match System:Search by encounter, location, and more
Our Experts Say:“BeNaughty is a premier hookup app where you can feel comfortable expressing your desires. Plus, it's free to join, browse, and flirt...” Full Review»
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | |
| All Singles* | 48%* 52%* | 13.3 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
“Our security system can recognize fraud and scam at the registration step. That, combined with our security policy, which states a member can choose what data to store, makes BeNaughty a safe and secure place to date,” Vera Bulgakova, Сhief Marketing Officer of Together Networks (BeNaughty’s parent company), told us in an interview.
Dating Sites In My Location
Take Your Safety Into Your Own Hands!
Just because there are people in the world with bad intentions, that doesn’t mean we should live in fear. Online dating is still a great way to meet people, and if you utilize the tips above, you can protect yourself from con artists and not fall victim to one of the 5,800 annual romance scams. Stay safe!
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