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 JSwipe chat 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 How do I report/block a member? for how to report someone 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.