Quick answer: Romance scammers build trust fast, then ask for money. Verify who you are talking to, never send money or financial details, and report anything that feels wrong.
- Insist on a live video call before you trust anyone.
- Never send money, gift cards, or account details to someone you have not met in person.
- Report suspicious profiles with the report form — our safety team reviews every report.
This page covers the warning signs of a romance scam, a safety checklist for online dating, and how to report a scammer to our team.
Romance scam protection
⚠️ Stay alert
Romance scammers steal billions of dollars annually. Learn the warning signs to protect yourself.
What is a romance scam?
Romance scammers create fake profiles to build emotional relationships with victims, ultimately manipulating them into sending money or personal information.
- They often use stolen photos of attractive people.
- They build trust through constant communication.
- They create urgency around financial requests.
Protect yourself
Simple steps can help you avoid becoming a victim of romance fraud:
- Always verify identity through video calls.
- Never send money to someone you have not met.
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong.
Quick statistics
$929M lost to romance scams in 2025
23,159 reports to the FBI in 2025, up 29% from 2024
~$40,000 average loss per report
Warning signs to watch for
These red flags can help you identify potential romance scammers before you become a victim.
💕 Professes love very quickly
Claims to be in love within days or weeks of first contact.
💰 Asks for money or financial help
Requests money for emergencies, travel, or other urgent needs.
📞 Avoids phone or video calls
Makes excuses to avoid real-time voice or video communication.
📷 Limited or suspicious photos
Very few photos, professional-looking images, or refuses video calls.
Safety checklist
Follow these essential safety practices to protect yourself while online dating:
- Verify their identity through video calls.
- Meet in public places for initial dates.
- Tell friends or family about your dating plans.
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong.
- Never send money or financial information.
- Do reverse image searches on their photos.
- Keep personal information private initially.
- Watch for inconsistencies in their stories.
Additional safety tips
- Use Jdate messaging until you are comfortable sharing personal contact information.
- Research their background using search engines and social media.
- Be wary of anyone who asks detailed questions about your financial situation.
- If meeting in person, choose a public place and let someone know your plans.
Report suspicious activity
Help protect the community by reporting suspected scammers and fraudulent profiles.
See what to include in your report before you submit — and what to do if you can't report in the app.
🚩 Report a scammer
Report suspicious profiles or romance scam attempts to our safety team.
📞 Emergency support
If you have been scammed, contact the authorities immediately.
FTC: 1-877-FTC-HELP
FBI IC3: ic3.gov
What happens next?
Still have questions about a profile or a message you received? Contact Customer Support and our safety team will take a look.