Finding love should be exciting – not a financial and emotional nightmare. But, with romance scams on the rise, Tinder is stepping up its game to protect users with an updated Romance Scam Awareness Guide – a must-read for anyone looking for love (without the heartbreak and empty bank account).
Teaming up with leading financial wellness advocate Tracy Hall, a victim-survivor of intimate fraud, and cyberpsychologist Professor Monica Whitty from Monash University, Tinder’s guide is packed with expert-backed insights and practical tips to help you spot – and dodge- online scammers before they ghost you with your cash.
My love don’t cost a thing … until it does …
Australians reported losing a jaw-dropping $201.1 million to romance scams in 2023, and in 2024, IDCARE helped Aussies recover from over $585 million in losses. That’s $23,000 per hour vanishing into the hands of scammers. These criminals aren’t just sliding into your DMs – they’re pulling out all the psychological tricks to gain your trust and your money. And, with AI making it easier than ever for scammers to create hyper-realistic fake profiles and deepfake videos, even the savviest online dater can get caught out.
Red flags to flag…
Tinder’s guide dives deep into the warning signs of romance scams, including:
- The ‘Too Good to Be True’ Love Bomb. Over-the-top affection and whirlwind romance? Classic scammer move.
- The Mysterious Avoider. If they’re always “too busy” or “stuck overseas” and can’t meet in real life, swipe left.
- The Off-App Enthusiast. Pushing to move the convo off Tinder ASAP? They could be dodging Tinder’s security features.
- The ‘Help Me, I’m Desperate’ Excuse. Whether it’s a sudden business crisis or a medical emergency, no online match should be asking for your cash.
- The Zero Digital Footprint. No social media presence? That’s as sketchy as a catfish’s profile pic from 2011.
Stay safe while swiping
Tinder’s Romance Scam Awareness Guide doesn’t just expose scams – it hands you the ultimate safety swipe-right strategy. First up, resist the urge to take things off the app too soon. Tinder’s in-built safety features, like ID + Photo Verification, are designed to keep the digital dating pool free from fakers. Think of it as your personal bouncer, ensuring you’re chatting with a real person, not a pixelated pretender.
Before falling head over swipes, do a little detective work. A reverse image search on their profile pics can reveal if you’re flirting with a fraud. And don’t be afraid to ask bold questions – if they dodge them like a bad first date, consider it a neon red flag. Speaking of red flags, your personal details should never be up for grabs. Your government ID, address, or banking details have no place in pillow talk, so keep them locked up tighter than your heart after a bad breakup.
When in doubt, phone a friend. Your bestie is the ultimate wingperson when it comes to spotting scams your love-blind heart might miss. And whatever you do, never, ever send money to someone you’ve only met online—true love should sweep you off your feet, not drain your bank account. Remember, romance should spark joy, not suspicion, so keep your wits about you and swipe smart!Beyond this guide, Tinder has introduced more than 20 safety features over the last three years, from AI-powered scam detection to the “Does This Bother You?” in-app warning that flags sketchy messages. In November 2024, Tinder also launched the Verified QT campaign with WESNET, reinforcing the importance of secure, scam-free online dating.
Ready to swipe smarter?
Sick of being scammed? Download the Tinder Romance Scam Awareness Guide on Tinder’s School of Swipe microsite. Because in the world of online dating, being informed is just as important as having a killer opening line.
