A few simple precautions can help keep you and your info better protected as you navigate friends, followers, connections and more online.
In a world where an estimated 80 million US adults use dating apps or websites,1 the power and potential of digital connection can’t be overstated. And the opportunities for relationship-building go far beyond the romantic, with an increasing number of options designed to help people find friendship matches and professional networks that translate to the “real world.”
While meeting new people online is a great place to start expanding your own social network, it’s important to protect yourself and your personal information. Apps designed to facilitate connection can be prime targets for scammers and impersonators.
In an effort to build community, you could be sharing more information on social media than you realize – including details about your friends, family and professional contacts. In the wrong hands, that information could put you at financial or even physical risk. But taking a few simple precautions can help keep you and your info better protected as you put yourself out there.
Share personal details very sparingly, and in the cases below, never:
- Social Security number
- Credit card or banking information
- Home or work address
- Children’s full names, schools or schedules
- Private daily routines, travel plans or sensitive photos
Keep your photos and profile info from revealing too much:
- Use different photos for social media and dating profiles. Reverse-image searches make it easy for strangers to track your other accounts.
- Avoid posting identifiable details like work logos, school names, children or geolocation clues.
- Be mindful of what your profile reveals – oversharing can expose details scammers can use to locate, manipulate or impersonate you.
Be careful when connecting:
- Avoid suspicious or incomplete profiles, which may be bots or scammers.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off – too much intensity too fast, for example – step back. Scammers try to build trust quickly.
- Use in-app messaging at first. Staying inside the platform helps maintain privacy and provides documentation if something goes wrong.
Recognize romance scams:
- Scammers often create fake profiles on dating apps or social platforms, then initiate conversations and work to build emotional trust. Once they’ve established a relationship and a sense of intimacy, they may introduce a crisis that requires money or sensitive information.
- Do not send money. Ever. Even if excuses sound compelling, legitimate matches will not ask for financial assistance.
- Scammers commonly:
- Contact frequently with intense affection early on
- Claim they can’t video chat or meet in person
Block and report suspicious users:
- Dating apps and social platforms rely on user reporting to remove harmful accounts.
- Block and report any user who appears threatening, manipulative or deceptive.
- Document concerning behavior by screenshotting messages before blocking the user.
If you think you’ve been communicating with a scammer or that someone has accessed your account, change your password and report suspicious activity immediately – most apps offer instructions for flagging an account. For more information on staying safe online, you can reach out to your advisor or read on in our Technology & Innovation series.
Sources: 1eHarmony
