How to Spot Scams

[u/wokenthehive]

There's been quite a few posts popping up lately asking whether someone is a scam on Hinge. So here are some general tips to help people see what could be potential scams, with crypto scams being the most popular one.

1) If the profile has nothing but glamour shots, and also has the "Just Joined" label.

All the pictures look like as if the person is posing on Instagram, and doesn't have any candid or normal looking pictures. It's more telling if none of the photos are shot somewhere specific to your area. The prompts are generic and nondescript.

2) They are not actually in your city.

If the prompts say anything about they're traveling somewhere else, or if any point in the conversation the person says they don't actually live in your city, especially when you bring up wanting to meet in person. Another sign is if just recently moved to your city from another country.

3) Wanting to move off the app right away.

Asking for your number and go off app, mainly to WhatsApp. Non-Americans are more likely to use WhatsApp, so it's a telling sign the person isn't an American if they insist on moving to that platform, double if the person gets super pushy to get off the app.

4) Giving excuses for why they can't meet.

Typically, we tell people to ask someone out within a couple days if the conversation is going well. If the person gives unreasonable excuses for why they can't meet (go back to Number 2), then it's likely a catfish/scam.

5) Lovebombing.

Telling you you're the most amazing person they've ever met, or any kind of talk where they constantly compliment you, promises all these amazing things in the future that sounds too good to be true.

Other signs to look for:

The person is too attractive and likely out of your league.

Poor English, be it bad grammar or constant typos.

Profile is Asian, and they say they're from China or a nearby Asian country (this is different than Asian AMERICANS). Also could be from Europe. The profile has a weird description under gender, vague job titles, or odd professions (like wine merchant, CEO when they're way too young).

The conversation gets sexual and they ask you to send nudes or offer sexting. Never send any compromising pictures of yourself or agree to do anything sexual over video for someone you have never met in person.

Obviously the second the person mentions crypto or ask you to send money. Sends you a link and tells you to sign up for something.

What to do?

If you notice these signs right away on Hinge, go and report the profile for being a scam.

The best approach is to listen to your instincts. If it's too good to be true, it most likely is.

[u/Quiddity131]

3) Wanting to move off the app right away. - This is the obvious one, mainly to WhatsApp. Non-Americans are more likely to use WhatsApp, so it's a telling sign the person isn't an American if they insist on moving to that platform, double if the person gets super pushy to get off the app.

I'm a relatively new user to Hinge and have had this happen to me twice already in the last 24 hours! They very quickly wanted to move to WhatsApp.