ONLINE DATING

“What are some ways to tell if a person is actually who they say they are?”

It can be hard to verify someone’s identity online. You’d have to be a real sleuth to find out for sure.

But with some effort and perseverance, you can root out phonies.

Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself from online dating scams:

1. Reverse image search — It’s common for scammers to use fake profile pictures. Using Google image, you can reverse image search the pictures to see if they pop on other websites or if they’re associated with other things.
2. A video chat or a phone call — Set up a video chat or a phone call with the other person to confirm their identity. If they refuse or come up with excuses, then take it as a sign that they may not be who they say they are.
3. Check social media — A common tactic that scammers like to use is to set up social media profiles to make their fake identities seem more real. Look for them on multiple platforms to see if there are any inconsistencies in their story.
4. Get specific — Ask the other person specific details about their life, job, or their hobbies. If the best that they can give you are vague answers, then that’s a sign that, at best, they’ve got something to hide.
5. Don’t share sensitive info — The main goal of scammers is to get your money or steal your identity. To do this, they need your personal info like your address or bank account numbers. Keep this information close to your chest and do not share it with someone you met online.

Don’t forget that if something — or someone — seems too good to be true, it probably is. Use common sense and take your time when getting to know someone before meeting up or sharing personal information.

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Originally published on Quora