Joshua Bennett
Catfishing is a common scam on social media and dating platforms, where a user enacts misrepresentation or identity theft with malicious intent to defraud or manipulate other users. Catfishers may seem friendly at first, but they will eventually start to invade your privacy and pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. A clear sign that someone is catfishing you is if they avoid video calls or cancel any attempts to meet in person. They may also ask for personal information, such as your full name, address, date of birth, or bank details. Additionally, they may request money or manipulate you into giving them money. If you feel like something is off with the person you are talking to, you should stop all communication and cut ties with them on all platforms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Avoiding video calls or meeting in person | X |
| Refusal to prove identity | X |
| Request for money | X |
| Newly made account | X |
| Low follower count | X |
| Pictures look stolen or inconsistent | X |
| Pushiness | X |
| Fake personal information | X |
| Bad grammar | X |
| Inconsistent stories | X |
| Relationship status listed as "widowed" | X |
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What You'll Learn
Requests for money
Emotional Backstory and Requests for Money
Catfishers often create an emotional backstory about themselves or their relatives to gain your trust and sympathy. They might claim that they've fallen on hard times, that a relative is ill, or that they have medical expenses for their children. They will use these emotional stories as a reason to request money from you. If someone you don't know personally shares such stories and asks for money, it's a red flag that you might be dealing with a catfisher.
Another common tactic used by catfishers is to ask for money to enable a visit to see you in person. They will often claim that they live far away and need funds for travel expenses, such as plane tickets. This is especially common in long-distance relationships, as it provides an easy excuse for the catfisher to avoid meeting up. Be cautious if someone you met online starts asking for money to facilitate a visit, as it could be a sign of catfishing.
Refusal to Meet in Person
Catfishers will often refuse to meet in person or cancel any plans to do so. They may provide various excuses, such as working overseas or dealing with personal tragedies. They might also agree to meet and then always find a reason to cancel at the last minute. If the person you're communicating with consistently avoids meeting in person, it's a warning sign that they might be catfishing you for financial gain.
Requests for Personal Information
Be cautious if someone you met online starts asking for personal information, such as your full name, address, date of birth, or bank details. Catfishers may use this information to steal your identity or commit financial fraud in your name, such as opening credit card accounts or loans. Protect your personal information and never share passwords or sensitive financial details with someone you don't know well.
Requests to Communicate Outside the Platform
If someone you met on a dating platform or social media site quickly suggests moving the conversation to email, text, or phone instead, it could be a sign of catfishing. They may be trying to isolate you from the safety features and reporting mechanisms provided by those platforms. Communicating outside the platform can make it more difficult to track and report suspicious behaviour.
Inconsistencies in their Story
Catfishers often create elaborate lies about their career, lifestyle, and personal details. Pay attention to inconsistencies in their stories or conflicting information they share over time. If their story doesn't add up or they frequently dodge questions about their job, family, or home, it could indicate that they are trying to hide something or manipulate you.
Remember, it's important to never send money to someone you don't know well or haven't met in person. If you encounter any of these warning signs, take a step back and reassess the situation. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to report suspicious behaviour to the appropriate platforms or authorities.
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New or fake accounts
A catfisher may also have a low follower count and pictures that look inconsistent or stolen. They may be using someone else's photos, usually taken from public social media accounts, or they may have stolen someone's complete identity, including their photos, birth date, and location. You can use a reverse image lookup to check if their photos are stolen or if they are very old.
Additionally, if the person you are talking to has no other social media accounts and refuses to give you their information, this could be a red flag. Most people have been using social media for years, so it is unusual for someone to have no online presence at all. They may also avoid video calls or cancel attempts to meet in person, as they do not want to be exposed.
Another warning sign is if they ask for your personal information, such as your full name, address, date of birth, or bank details. They may be trying to hack into your accounts or steal your identity. If they start to get invasive and pressure you to do something you are uncomfortable with, this is another sign of catfishing.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to stop all communication with the potential catfisher and block them on all platforms. Trust your instincts and do not be afraid to cut ties if something feels off.
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Avoidance of video calls
A key sign of a catfish is their avoidance of video calls or phone calls. This is because they are using a fake online identity and want to avoid any situation that might expose their true identity. They may refuse to do a video call on FaceTime, Skype or Snapchat, or they might agree to a call and then cancel at the last minute. They will often make excuses for why they can't video chat, such as a broken camera or that they are too shy.
If you are suspicious of someone refusing to video call, you can ask them to send a photo of themselves beside a local landmark or ask them questions about their reported background that only a local would know. You can also do a reverse image search of their profile pictures to see if they are using someone else's photos.
If someone you have never met in person is asking for money, this is a common sign of catfishing. They may also try to get your personal information, such as your mother's maiden name or financial details, which could be used for identity theft.
It is important to trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. You can also adjust your privacy settings and be cautious about what personal information you share online.
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Inconsistent photos or information
When it comes to spotting a catfish, inconsistencies in photos or information are key warning signs. Catfishers often create a fake persona, stealing someone else's photos and personal details, or they may use stock images. They may also use photos that don't match the person in the dating profile. For example, a reverse image search may reveal that their photos are of a model or are on a porn site. Additionally, if they only have one photo on their dating profile, this is a red flag.
People who catfish often have inconsistencies in their stories and information. They may give out fake personal information or stories to gain your trust and get your personal details, which they can use to blackmail you. They may also pretend to be in a certain profession, such as a doctor, or give excuses for their lack of photos or refusal to video call, such as being on an oil rig with bad internet.
A catfish may also claim to be from your town but currently working abroad. They may also have inconsistent details about their age, location, or birth date. Their stories may not add up, and they may have trouble keeping track of their lies, resulting in a feeling that things are moving too fast or that something is off.
If you notice any inconsistencies in photos or information, it is important to proceed with caution and gather more information. Trust your instincts, and if something feels off, it is better to cut ties and block the person to protect yourself.
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Reverse image lookup
There are several reverse image lookup tools available online. These tools allow you to upload an image from your device, or directly from your cloud storage, and will then search for similar images across the web. The most widely used of these tools is Google Image Search, which has an extensive database of images. Other tools include Small SEO Tools and Image Finder.
Using these tools, you can discover if a photo has been used elsewhere, and if it is attached to another identity. This can help you to verify if someone is who they say they are, and protect yourself from catfishing scams.
As well as spotting catfishers, reverse image lookup tools can be used to find similar images for creative projects, or to find higher quality or differently sized versions of an image.
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Frequently asked questions
Catfishing is a common scheme on social media and dating platforms where a user enacts misrepresentation or identity theft with malicious intent to defraud or manipulate other users.
- Requests for money
- A newly made account
- Avoidance of video calls or meeting in person
- Inconsistent photos
- Fake personal information
- Bad grammar
- Inconsistent stories
- A gut feeling that something is off
- Stop all communication with the suspected catfisher
- Report and block the suspected catfisher on the platform
- Use a reverse phone lookup or people search to vet your online dates
- Take screenshots of their photos and use a reverse image lookup
According to the FBI, one in 10 dating profiles is fake. Catfishing can have devastating consequences for victims, including financial loss and mental health challenges resulting from the trauma of being betrayed and deceived.
