If someone you’ve never met in person insists on exclusively communicating online, it could be a red flag. They may use photos stolen from other people or fabricated ones and a fake name to hide their identity.
Remember the saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Be extra cautious when someone you’ve never met wants a lot of money or has broad interests in their social media profiles.
They’re asking for money.
The most obvious sign of catfishing is someone asking for money. They may claim to be in a bad financial situation or tell an emotional story about how they’re struggling with something — like a death in the family or being homeless.
If someone you’ve never met is asking for money, it’s a red flag. You should never give anyone you don’t know any money, especially if it’s online. And if you have already given them money, contact the site or app where you met them to file a report.
Another red flag is if they refuse to video chat or use Snapchat. This is a big no-no because it shows they’re not honest with you. They may make excuses, such as saying that their camera is broken or that they’re too shy, but if they’re being persistent, it’s time to stop communicating with them.
They’re asking for your personal information.
Online romance is common, but that doesn’t mean everyone is who they claim to be. Fortunately, some red flags can help you spot signs you are being catfished before it’s too late.
For starters, be wary of anyone who only uploads professional-looking photos of themselves on their social media accounts. Leary says these are usually easy giveaways, especially if the person has been on multiple platforms and claims to have a large following.
This is another big red flag if someone refuses to meet in person or do a video chat. This is likely a sign that they’re not who they say they are, and it could also be a sign that they’re trying to trick you into sending them money or personal information.
If someone asks for nude pictures or videos, this is a huge red flag that they may be a catfish. Never send these things to people you don’t know, as it can give them compromising information they can use against you. It’s also a good idea to always bring a friend when meeting up with someone new so they can verify who you’re talking to.
They’re asking for money in exchange for gifts.
Catfishers often use stolen or fake pictures on their profiles. When they do, it’s important to look at the photos they share with you and ask yourself where the images came from. They may have been edited or stolen from other accounts or even someone else’s profile on a dating app.
Another red flag is if they have very few social media friends or followers on Instagram or Facebook. This could indicate that they have a limited online circle to contact or keep in touch with people, which is a clear sign of catfishing.
A catfish may also tell you stories to get you to donate money or personal information, such as how they’re struggling financially or homeless. In this case, it’s best to trust your instinct and decline any requests for money or personal information from anyone you meet online. Update your privacy settings so that only you can see who can message or comment on your social media accounts, which will help to prevent catfishing.
They’re asking for money in exchange for a favor.
Catfish often use their victims’ emotions to bleed them dry for financial gain. They may ask their victim to send money for various reasons, including buying gifts, paying for a flight ticket or hotel room, or even a simple loan. It’s important to only send money to people you’ve met online, especially if you have met them in person or verified their identity.
It’s a red flag if someone you’ve met online has a social media account but cannot show you their face or have a video chat feature on their profile. It’s also a red flag if their bill has few photos and few friends or followers.
Catfishers often pretend to be younger or older than they are. They also may pretend to be a family member or someone they know to trick their victim into sending them money for various reasons. Talking to a trusted friend about anyone you meet online is a good idea to get their opinion.
They’re asking for money in exchange for a favor.
Inconsistencies in their stories often characterize people who are catfish. For example, they might say their mother died years ago and then mention talking to her recently. This is a big red flag.
Another red flag is when they refuse to meet in person or use video chat. Catfishers often want to avoid meeting in person because it would expose their true identities. Video chats are also easy to fake, so if someone you’re talking to refuses to do one, it’s probably a good idea to move on.
Another way to protect yourself online is by ensuring your social media accounts are private. This will prevent catfishers from accessing your personal information and contacting you. You can also ask a trusted friend to help you spot any red flags. Two heads are always better than one! In addition, you can file a report with the website or app you used to communicate with the catfisher. This will help them track down the catfisher and stop them from targeting others.