Article Contents

Definition

Catfishing scams are a form of deceptive activity where a person creates a fake identity on social networking sites, dating apps or other online platforms, often with the intention of tricking others into emotional or financial exploitation. The term is derived from the 2010 documentary ‘Catfish,’ which follows a person misled into a romantic relationship with a fake online persona.

A ccording to Google, Catfishing is a form of online deception where someone creates a fake online persona in order to trick someone else into a relationship. The catfisher will often use a fake name, profile picture, and backstory to create a false identity.

10 Types of Catfishing Scams

Romance Scams: Catfishers create fake profiles on dating sites to build relationships and eventually ask for money, often under the pretense of a personal emergency.
Military Scams: Scammers pose as military personnel stationed overseas who need money to travel home, pay for medical expenses, etc.
Advanced Fee Fraud: The scammer promises a large sum of money in return for a small advance payment or fee, which they claim is necessary for administrative purposes or to release the funds.
Lottery Scams: Scammers claim that the victim has won a lottery or sweepstakes, but they need to pay a fee or provide personal information to claim the prize.
Employment Scams: Scammers pose as employers or recruiters offering attractive job opportunities, which require the job seeker to pay an upfront fee.
Online Sales Scams: Scammers pretend to sell goods or services online, but once payment is received, they never deliver.
Phishing Scams: Scammers impersonate a legitimate organization to trick users into providing sensitive data.
Friendship Scams: Scammers create a fake profile to form friendships with online users, gain their trust, and then exploit them financially.
Inheritance Scams: Scammers pose as lawyers or bank officials who claim that the victim has inherited a large fortune from a distant relative or deceased millionaire.
Charity Scams: Scammers create fake charity organizations and ask for donations, especially during times of crisis or natural disasters.

10 Tips for Preventing Catfishing Scams

Verify the person’s profile: Look for red flags such as a new account with few friends or connections, stock photos, or inconsistent stories.
Do not share sensitive information: Never share your personal or financial information with someone you’ve met online.
Be skeptical: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Use established platforms: Use reputable websites or apps which have security measures to protect users.
Research the person’s story: If the person claims to work for a specific company or attends a certain school, verify this information.
Watch for grammatical errors: Scammers often use poor grammar or spelling, or their messages may seem scripted or generic.
Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources: These could lead to phishing websites designed to steal your information.
Do not send money: Never send money to someone you’ve only met online, no matter how persuasive their story is.
Report suspicious behavior: Report any suspicious activity to the platform where you met the person.
Use reverse image search: If you’re suspicious about someone’s profile picture, use a reverse image search to check if the photo has been used elsewhere on the internet.

10 Q&A about Catfishing Scams

Q: Can catfishers steal my identity?
A: Yes, if you provide personal or financial information, they could potentially use it for identity theft.
Q: How can I verify someone’s identity online?
A: Ask for a live video chat, use a reverse image search on their profile picture, or research the information they’ve provided.
Q: What should I do if I suspect someone is a catfisher?
A: Stop communicating with them, report the account to the platform, and if you’ve shared personal information, monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
Q: How common are catfishing scams?
A: While exact numbers are hard to come by, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported over 19,000 victims of confidence/romance fraud in 2020, with losses exceeding $600 million.
Q: Are catfishing scams illegal?
A: Yes, catfishing scams are considered a form of fraud, which is illegal.
Q: Can I get my money back if I’ve been scammed?
A: It can be extremely difficult to recover money sent to a scammer, but you should report the scam to your local law enforcement and your bank immediately.
Q: Is there a certain group of people who are more likely to be targeted by catfishers?
A: While anyone can be a target, older individuals, particularly women, are often targeted in romance scams.
Q: Can I take legal action against a catfisher?
A: It can be challenging to take legal action due to jurisdiction issues and the difficulty of identifying the scammer, but if the catfisher is identified and local, legal action may be possible.
Q: Can catfishing scams happen on any social media platform?
A: Yes, catfishing scams can occur on any platform that allows users to create profiles or communicate with others.
Q: How can I help someone who may be being catfished?
A: If you believe someone you know is being catfished, express your concerns to them, provide information about catfishing scams, and encourage them to report suspicious behavior.

Reporting Catfishing Scams

If you believe you have been a victim of a catfishing scam, take the following steps:

Stop All Communication: Do not interact further with the person who you suspect is catfishing you.
Report to the Platform: Inform the platform where the interaction occurred about the suspicious activity. Most social media sites and dating apps have methods to report fraudulent activity.
Contact Local Authority: Report to your local police department. Include as much information as possible, such as the scammer’s profile name, how you made contact, and any conversations you’ve had.
Notify Financial Institutions: If you have sent money or shared financial information, contact your bank immediately. They can guide you on how to protect your accounts.
File a Complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you’re in the U.S., file a complaint with the IC3. If you’re outside the U.S., contact your local law enforcement agency.
Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): If you’re in the U.S., you can file a complaint with the FTC online or by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Remember, the best defense against catfishing scams is being informed and vigilant about who you interact with online.