Dating Scammers: How To Spot Them And What To Do

Online dating is a safe and happy way to meet people, as long as you keep your wits about you. Sadly, scammers know that many older Canadians are polite, trusting and have worked hard for their savings, and they take advantage of exactly that. At Singles Over 70 we take fraud very seriously and work hard to keep these crooks off the site, but the best defence of all is you.

What Is A Dating Scammer?

A dating scammer is someone who pretends to be looking for love when really they are after your money. It is a crime, and the people behind it are often organized and very patient.

How To Spot A Dating Scammer

Language and grammar
Does the way they write match where they claim to be from? Someone who says they grew up in Winnipeg should know what a toque is, and should not write like a badly translated instruction manual. Watch for odd phrases such as "Hello my dear" or "I am Michael by name".

Moving too fast
Talk of soulmates and destiny after three messages? Real people take their time. Scammers rush, because the sooner you are hooked, the sooner they can ask for money.

Requests for money
Never send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to someone you have met online, however sad the story. Common tales include a plane ticket to come and visit, an urgent hospital bill, customs fees on a parcel or an inheritance stuck overseas. Never share your banking details or passwords with anyone.

Profiles that do not add up
Be wary of profiles that claim to be working overseas, on an oil rig, in the military or for a charity, or that say almost nothing at all. If the photo looks like it came out of a magazine, it may well have.

Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off, it usually is. Ask a family member or a good friend for their opinion, a fresh pair of eyes can spot what a fond heart misses.

Protect Your Privacy

Be careful if someone you have only just met wants to move the conversation to WhatsApp, email or social media straight away. Scammers do this to get away from our moderators. Keep chatting on the site until you are comfortable.

How Do I Report A Suspected Scammer?

If a member does not seem to be who they claim, or makes you uneasy in any way, scroll to the bottom of their profile and click the "Report profile" link, which looks like this:

Reports are strictly confidential and the member will never know who made them. We also suggest you click "Ignore" afterwards, so they cannot contact you again. They will no longer see your profile and will most likely assume you have left. Our team will then look into it and take whatever action is needed.

If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank right away so they can try to stop any payments, then report it to your local police. The Canadian Anti Fraud Centre has helpful advice on romance scams here: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/scams-fraudes/romance-rencontre-eng.htm.

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