Avast ye! Ne'er be sharin' thy digits on these modern courting apps, lest ye be plagued by scoundrels!
2023-07-20
Arr, mateys! Many a landlubber be lookin' to find love and meet new crewmates through those strange contraptions called datin' apps. But beware, me hearties! For scurvy dogs be lurkin' in the shadows, awaitin' to scam ye! Fear not, as Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson be spillin' the beans on how to keep yer precious info safe.
Online dating can be a wild ride, filled with both exciting connections and potential dangers. One reader, Preston from Folsom, CA, shared his experience with us. He was chatting with someone on Tinder when things took a weird turn. The person asked him to move the conversation to WhatsApp and exchange phone numbers. Little did Preston know, he was falling into a scam trap.Giving out your phone number too soon can lead to various scams. Last year alone, a staggering $1.3 billion was lost in romance scams. Scammers often use scripted questions and sob stories to gain your trust and trick you into handing over sensitive information. They may even send fake text messages to obtain more personal data.
But the dangers don't stop there. Scammers can take over your phone number, hack your accounts, and even blackmail you with risqué photos. To protect yourself, it's crucial to be cautious and take precautions. Avoid giving out personal information before meeting someone in person and be skeptical of anyone who asks for money.
Reputable dating sites have security measures in place to verify users and weed out scammers. If you suspect someone is a scammer, report them immediately. Additionally, consider removing your personal information from people search sites and investing in antivirus protection for your devices.
While online dating can be exciting, it's important to stay vigilant and prioritize your safety. Don't let scammers ruin the experience. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and enjoy the ride.