Last Updated on February 16, 2022 by bumble
When you swipe past someone on Bumble, before you start chatting with them, there is already a lot that you can tell about them. You can see their photo, which tells you something about their appearance. You can also read what they like to do in their spare time and what causes they support. However, these are not the only things these profiles hold—according to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 67% of scam attempts happen on dating apps like Bumble. The FTC warns potential victims who think they may be at risk for romance scams like this by including an alert message in the form of a red flag icon next to any profile that could be fraudulent.
What is a romance scam?
A romance scam is a type of confidence trick in which fraudsters use online dating sites to target people looking for romantic relationships. Scammers will create fake profiles and then use them to lure victims into online chats, converting these interactions into real-life meetings. They will then use these meetings to convince their victims that they have “fallen in love.” After this point, they will ask the victim for money, gifts, or even their financial identity.
How do I avoid romance scams on Bumble?
You can learn to recognize the warning signs of romance scams when you’re on Bumble. While you may have a lot of information during your first few chats, remember that many of these profiles will be fake or will be inactive. Almost every profile on Bumble has some sort of red flag, which is a feature that alerts you to possible fraud in your contact’s profile.
Be aware of what you’re being asked to do during your conversations on Bumble; these attempts are typically designed to get money or personal information from you. The FTC warns that fraudsters will often ask their victims to wire money to them via Western Union or MoneyGram. They may also request that you send them gifts, including flowers and other expensive presents, as a sign of your affection for them. And since fraudsters are using an algorithm to make it seem like they were at the location with you, they may ask you for supporting documents like driver’s licenses and passports.
Another red flag is if your match is asking questions that normal people would not ask. When we say “normal people,” we mean those who would not be trying to scam someone else in the first place.
It’s quite funny that Bumble also put out an article on romance scams, considering they are the ones protecting these people and banning innocent people.
Good luck and be safe out there!