In the world of online dating, finding the right match can be exciting. With plenty of dating sites and social media platforms to find your match, it becomes easy for scammers to prey on you.
Hinge is a darling of many looking for love and companionship. The sad reality is that some people on Hinge might not be who they say they are. If you’re on the platform, you need to be aware of Hinge scams.
Hinge scammers pretend to be your crush and then try to trick you into doing things like sending them money, investing in fake stuff (often cryptocurrencies), or sharing important info like your passwords or money details.
They use social media, magazines, and even stock photo websites to get pictures and create fake dating profiles.
1) Crypto Investment Scams
You’re chatting with someone on Hinge, and things seem great. Then, out of the blue, they start talking about making big bucks through cryptocurrency trading.
They claim it’s a ticket to wealth and offer to be your crypto mentor. They might even show off a flashy screenshot of their supposed earnings to make it all look legit.
Now, to lure you into their web of deceit, your match sends you a link to a so-called “special” cryptocurrency exchange. They’ll urge you to click on it and start trading, painting a picture of endless profits.
Once you’ve invested regularly and made some money, they hit you with a bombshell. Suddenly, you’re slapped with hefty fees and taxes, wiping out your hard-earned investment faster than you can say “crypto.”
Never fall for anyone promising a guaranteed investment. Investments always involve some level of risk, and if someone says otherwise, they’re likely trying to pull a fast one on you.
On top of that, watch out for those tempting small earnings they let you withdraw early on. It’s a classic move to get you hooked and investing more.
2) Claims Of Working Overseas
Another scam involves matching with someone who claims to be in the military or working overseas. The person says they’re serving their country or working in a far-off land.
It adds a touch of glamour to their story, making them seem legit. It also conveniently means they can’t meet you face-to-face.
This military romance scammer might play the sympathy card, saying they’re facing some serious banking issues. They might ask you to wire them money to help with their supposed financial troubles or, to support their family back home.
The promise? Oh, they’ll totally pay you back. Once you fall for it and send the money, it’s likely gone for good.
3) Urgent Requests For Money
Have you ever received those heartstring-tugging messages from your match claiming to be in a tough spot?
Your match shares their hardships, and naturally, you want to be supportive. It could be personal struggles, family issues, or even health problems. While it may sound like a sob story, you need to be careful because it might be a scam.
The scammer might not stop at your initial support; they could persuade you to keep sending money. It could be for a fancy gift card, a new laptop, or even a regular wire transfer to help cover their rent. The thing is, once you start, it might feel like there’s no end.
Never share your credit card numbers or bank info. There’s no reason to send that kind of sensitive information to someone you’ve only met online.
If your gut is telling you that the person you’re chatting with is constantly dealing with money-related issues, they might just be spinning a tale to take advantage of your kindness.
4) Blackmail Through Media
You’re chatting with someone on Hinge, and things take a turn. Your match asks you to send them sensitive photos or videos, and they promise to share theirs in return.
Once you hit send, the tables turn. The person you trusted threatens to leak those intimate shots unless you fork over some cash.
If you willingly shared those personal pictures and find yourself in a blackmail situation, it can feel pretty overwhelming. The key here is to avoid this scam from the get-go.
Never send sensitive photos or videos to someone over a dating app. What you share online has a way of sticking around, and once it’s out there, it’s hard to control. Always keep those personal moments private.
5) Malicious Links
You’re having a chat, things are going well, and suddenly, your match drops a link for you to click. It could be tempting, especially if it looks like it’s from a familiar site like Facebook or Instagram.
That seemingly innocent link might be harmful. They can redirect you to fake websites that look like the real deal, aiming to steal your login information. Or worse, the site could be loaded with malware or ransomware.
Don’t click on unfamiliar links, especially if they’re from someone you don’t really know.
Check for signs of a phishing website, such as typos, grammatical errors, or a sketchy “unsecure” warning in the browser’s search box. Genuine sites use “HTTPS” and have a verified lock symbol for your safety.
Warning Signs Of A Hinge Scam
Accounts Are ‘’Too’’ Perfect
When scrolling through Hinge profiles, you can come across someone who seems absolutely perfect. They’ve got great photos, a super interesting bio – basically, they’re the dream date.
Well, that might be a hint that something’s not quite right. Scammers on Hinge trick people by creating profiles that look amazing. Their pictures are like models, and their bios sound too good to be true. It’s like they’re trying to be the perfect match for everyone.
Alex, a regular Hinge user was looking for a real connection. He found a profile that looked like it was made in heaven. The photos are all stunning, showing this person doing all sorts of cool things that Alex loves.
The bio reads like a fairy tale. Alex is excited, thinking, “This is too good to be true!” As Alex starts talking to this seemingly perfect match, some weird things start happening.
Always avoid profiles with super polished photos and a dreamy bio.
Minimal Information About Them Online
You should avoid profiles that lacks essential details such as interests, job, or hometown. Genuine individuals provide some basic information. Engaging with a profile that remains vague about personal details or hesitates to share specific information raises suspicions.
Scammers often use this tactic to maintain a sense of mystery and avoid detection. If someone on Hinge is reluctant to open up or avoids sharing even basic details, it’s essential to be wary.
Trust your instincts and take the time to understand who you’re interacting with before divulging your own personal information.
“Just Joined” Badges On Their Profiles
Profiles on Hinge with “Just Joined” badges, as these can be potential indicators of scams. Scammers frequently exploit this feature to create a false sense of trust and disguise their true intentions.
If you encounter a profile with a recent “Just Joined” badge, exercise caution and avoid rushing into interactions.
Scammers exploit the initial excitement and curiosity of new users, attempting to establish connections quickly. Be mindful of overly eager responses or attempts to accelerate the relationship.
A “Just Joined” badge does not guarantee the authenticity of a profile. Taking the time to assess interactions and ensure they align with genuine online dating dynamics.
Refuse To Get On A Video Call Or Send Selfies
Is the person you’ve connected with on Hinge consistently refusing to engage in a video call or share selfies? It could be a warning sign of potential deception.
Most of the time scammers avoid face-to-face interactions to maintain their anonymity. Hinge users that seek authentic connections usually show a willingness to engage in video calls or share recent photos.
If your attempts to initiate visual communication are met with resistance or excuses, you should proceed with caution. Scammers may use various pretexts to avoid revealing their true identity.
It’s essential to prioritize your safety by not sharing personal information with someone who refuses to validate their identity through video calls or recent photos.
Quick Shift Of Conversation From Hinge To WhatsApp
A sudden shift from the dating app to a messaging platform such as WhatsApp is a potential warning sign.
Scammers often use this tactic to operate outside the monitored environment of the dating app, making it easier for them to manipulate and deceive. While some people may genuinely prefer other messaging platforms, a rapid push for the transition could indicate ulterior motives.
You should always consider the motivations behind such requests. Before migrating to a different platform, take the time to establish trust and verify the legitimacy of the person you’re interacting with.
Be wary of individuals who avoid open and transparent communication within the confines of the dating app, as their intentions may not align with genuine connections.
It hurts to fall into a Hinge scam, whether someone pretends to be perfect or rush you off the app. We’ve uncovered the secrets of those ‘too perfect’ profiles that seem too good to be true and warned you about profiles with hardly any info – the mysterious ones that can be tricky.
And we’ve talked about the quick shift to WhatsApp, a sign to be careful. Now that you know these things, you can move forward with confidence in your online dating journey.
Look out for the signs, trust your feelings, and always proceed with caution.
