While using the internet seems like a fun and convenient way to find love, you really have to be careful.
Besides, not all dating websites are what they might appear to be and some out there may be fake sites hoping to lure in unsuspecting victims. Scammers are well aware that online dating sites are making huge amounts of money and so they want to take advantage of gullible internet users looking for love.
Some sites, for example, pose as dating sites but instead lure you to paying for pornographic content or to hook you up with a professional escort.
So how do you make sure that you aren’t dealing with a fake dating website?
Consider these 4 pointers mentioned below:
1. Pay attention at the website’s ads.
One clue that a dating site is likely a secret porn source is that their ads use enticing words such as “Meet hot, sexy singles here” or something like “Meet beautiful MILFs looking for love”. This is often their way of drawing attention to their services without openly advertising what they’re really offering. Other than that, you may also check out if their ads come accompanied by photos of women in seductive clothing and pose.
2. Make sure you’re not chatting with a bot.
Another sure indication that you are dealing with a fake dating site is when they are using automated bots. Although you think you’re chatting with a good-looking guy or girl, their messages to you will likely be limited to “Hi! Come check me out on (with a link to a different website).” Some of them will even invite you to text them by providing a number during your chat.
To know whether you are talking with a bot or not, try asking a simple but random question, such as the capital of California, for example, and you’ll only likely get standard replies such as “Hi!” or “I like you. Text me!” since they are not programmed to provide correct answers to those types of question.
3. Do some research about the website.
If it’s just a new website but they already have thousands of users, you’re almost always guaranteed that it’s a fake site – and most of those users are fake as well. If you can check for reviews from other sites, blogs, or forums, then that will be for your advantage, too.
4. If their messages are in your spam folder, it’s likely fake.
We all get spam mails and in some instances, those messages may come from fake dating websites hoping to ensnare lonely people looking for love and want to explore using online tools.
So while there are, of course, many legit dating sites out there, you might want to be vigilant so as to avoid getting victimized by scammers.