Finding a partner online isn’t easy. You have to sift through hundreds of profiles looking for the right amount of compatibility before you connect. It can all be a rather daunting process, to say the least. Add potential imposters and scammers into the mix and the online dating scene can become a bigger deterrent. But there are some strategic ways to look out for red flags and safely date online in 2020. Follow these tips below to avoid becoming the victim of a dating scam.
Confirm Their Identity
You’ve met someone online that you really like but you want to be cautious, so you check all of their online social media accounts to cross-reference their name and photographs. But is that enough? Impersonators are getting smarter every day. To ensure you’re dating safely, especially if you notice any potential red flags, you should consider doing a background check on the person to confirm whether the information they’ve provided is legit.
Set Up a Video Chat
Even if you’ve done the background check, you’ll want to make sure the person is not impersonating another. You can easily find this out by setting up a video call to see their face and hear their voice directly, something that’s recommended before meeting up in person.
Meet Them Sooner Than Later
A vast majority of dating scams are organized by groups of people located overseas. So even after you’ve had a video chat with them, always plan to meet in a public place. Few impersonators are going to fly halfway around the world to fulfill their scam.
Don’t Give Out Too Much Personal Info
Until you’re fully comfortable and feel assured that the person you’re dating is exactly who they say they are and doesn’t pose a threat, don’t provide your personal information. Keeping your address, birthday, and financial information private will help protect you from any risk of identity theft.
Never Agree to Send Money
Even if you’ve been dating someone for a while, it’s weird for them to ask you for money. If they ask you to send money to help a sick loved one or to pay for their plane fare to see you, it’s best to investigate before sending any funds their way.
You can never be too careful when you start dating someone online. The only way to truly know that you’re not a target of a dating scam is to have a private investigator look into them. If you’ve just started dating someone online and you want to make sure they are safe to date, contact us at the Smith Investigation Agency today. We offer a number of services that will carefully look into the person privately and confidentially.
About the Author
Whitney Joy Smith
Founder of The Smith Investigation Agency in 2014, Whitney Joy Smith’s extensive background as a private investigator is matched only by her passion for the role. A graduate of several respected institutions, including Northwest Florida State College and George Brown College, her early years in life were spent between Canada and the United States. This education, along with her formative years as a private investigator in various agencies, informed much of her knowledge of private investigative laws, regulations, and operating standards in both countries.
The recipient of numerous industry awards and accolades, including the Consumers Choice Award, Best in Ottawa, and many others, Whitney takes pride in working closely with her ever-growing agency to raise the bar, maintain compliance, and meet the investigative needs of clients. Whitney is active in various membership and supporting roles, including the CPIRC, CBN, CAPI, Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and many others. Her experience-driven, thought-provoking articles have been featured in everything from Readers Digest to Business News Daily, and she strives to continually redefine standards for those in the private investigative and security fields. Learn more about Whitney and the team at The Smith Investigation Agency today.
