How is online dating risky?
Online dating is one of the most popular ways to meet potential romantic partners. Unfortunately, it can also be risky. Scammers use dating sites and apps to commit fraud and identity theft.
If you’re considering meeting someone you met on a dating app, it’s best to meet in public at first. You can also Google them. A lack of social media photos or a fake name can be a red flag.
1. Scammers
Swiping through dozens of profiles per minute; deciding to meet someone based on just one photo and a few lines of banter; and revealing personal information to strangers is the reality of dating online. But with fake profiles abound and sexual predators posing as potential dates, it’s no wonder online dating is risky.
The good news is that most dating sites block problem users and report abuse when it happens. But monetary losses due to romance scams are just the tip of the iceberg.
More worryingly, 15% of online daters put sensitive information about themselves in their profile and many are willing to share intimate photos. A red flag to watch out for is when your date asks you for money or for personal data like bank card details.
2. Identity theft
Online dating users often spend hours swiping through profiles, looking for a match or just a good time. The snippets of information they share- like their job, hobbies or location- can be enough for someone to take advantage of them.
Some scammers are so persistent that they try to force victims into giving them personal details before meeting up in person. They may even ask for photos of IDs and other sensitive documents.
Although most online dating services monitor suspicious activity, they cannot catch everyone. This is why it is so important to protect yourself when using these apps. Using an all-in-one digital security solution like Aura can help protect you from identity theft, financial fraud and viruses like malware. Aura’s fraud resolution specialists are also ready to help in the event of an incident.
3. Fraud
The most common concern when dating online is that someone may not be who they say they are. This can be caused by fraudsters who use fake profiles to steal money or personal information or by people looking for a quick hookup.
In addition, people put themselves at risk by sharing private or intimate information with strangers on dating apps and websites. This can include telling their matches embarrassing details, giving out their address or providing unclothed photos of themselves. In the wrong hands, this information could be used to commit identity theft or stalking.
It is also important to be aware of the risk of sexual violence when dating online. However, data on crimes linked to dating apps is scarce as many victims or perpetrators do not report them.
4. Malware
Malware is a growing threat when using online dating. Often found on fake dating sites, malware can steal personal information and even take over your camera to spy on you. It’s also used to lure you into providing money, ID photos and other sensitive information.
It’s important to be vigilant and take precautions when dating online, but we’re not advising people to avoid it altogether. In order to stay safe, be sure to use a separate phone number and Google the person you’re talking with – if their photo is attached to multiple identities, it might be difficult for you to spot them online. Also, avoid sharing too much personal information, including home addresses. This can lead to strangers showing up on doorsteps and blackmailing victims.
5. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is often fueled by revenge and/or anonymity. A bully may also lack empathy or a true understanding of the impact of their actions.
If your teen is being harassed online, encourage them to document hurtful texts, messages or posts by saving them as screenshots. They can also adjust their profile and messaging settings to limit who sees their posts, messages or photos.
While adjusting these settings can help, it is not foolproof. If a teen feels they are being threatened, it’s important to talk to someone they trust. If they can’t talk with a parent, consider finding a counselor or other trusted adult to help them. They should also know they can change their contact information if needed. This will keep their attacker from using their name in future attacks.