It's every online daters nightmare: Catfishing! This term describes a common form of swindling. Catfishing is when someone you're communicating with online presents a fake reality to scam you.
Most associate it with people using fake photos on dating profiles and social media. But you can get catfished other ways, too. It can happen when you're booking vacation rentals, buying products on marketplace sites, and more.
No matter how it occurs, it doesn't feel good! So, how can you prevent yourself from being catfished? Here are some tips to follow.
Turn to Social Media
Social media is a blessing and a curse. It's a great way to connect, but you can also use it to get valuable information. Don't expect things to be as easy as using an official identity verification tool, but it does make a difference.
Go into social media stalking mode and look at all available accounts. Many platforms link up, making it easy to follow the digital breadcrumbs and cross-reference information.
Perform Detailed Web Searched
Don't forget to use traditional web searches. Look up the person's name and location to see if any red flags pop up. If they've tried to scam others in the past, there's a good chance you'll find something about it somewhere.
You can also perform image searches. Reverse image searches are great for spotting fake photos.
Look into Public Records
Most people don't realize how easy it is to find public records! There are multiple sites out there, and your local government likely has several databases that could be useful.
Look up property records, business licenses, and more. Cross-reference that information, and you can learn a lot!
Save Everything and Stay Safe
The best way to avoid catfishing attempts is to use an identity verification tool. It's the easiest way to spot potential fraudsters.
Whatever you do, save all your communications! It can come in handy if you've exchanged any money. But before that happens, do your due diligence. Whether you're dipping your toes into online dating or sending money to book a fancy rental, do your homework and stay safe!
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