Stay Secure Using Online Dating and Social Apps

Tinder, the wildly popular dating app, puts personal information at risk. Tinder is a mobile app going with you wherever you go. Where other dating sites are often thought problematic by asking too many questions, Tinder gets by with as little as a picture and a location. It’s quick and it’s easy. But the speed at which it’s used still leaves plenty of time for scammers to get your private information and run with it.

Users sign-up through Facebook, allowing Tinder access to their profiles, including lists of friends and relatives who are posted on their sites. Information becomes a kind of weapon used by unscrupulous thieves, scammers, and advertisers to target not only the dater, but those associated with them. Putting this information out there doesn’t seem to faze Tinder users, until it becomes a problem. At that point, it’s often too late to do anything about it.

Authorities are warning against the abundance of criminals using dating sites like this one to meet potential victims and commit crimes against unsuspecting and trusting users. Yet time after time, users subject themselves to deeds of criminal abusers. Be smart and be informed.

Criminals use everything available to appear attractive and interesting on these sites. Beware of model-type good looks and conversation centering on your interests. They will try hard to set up a meeting, potentially putting daters in harmful situations. And while it is always nice when someone wants to know all about you, be careful of sharing too much.

Tinder and other sites like it rely largely on location for setting up meetings. Using the location services feature to let others know exactly where you are at any given time is a built-in risk. Location is key for those ill-intended and Tinder can give location as accurate as only a few blocks from your exact position. This geographic ability is inherent and necessary in this and many other apps that use your location to provide a service. This should considered before signing up for any of them, even if it doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal. 

In addition to the risks of the location services, using what are known as “bots”, criminals easily find ways to exploit your information to their financial and other gains. Bots are automated responses for conversations the user thinks they’re having with a potential date. Watch for signs like replies that are so fast that it seems unrealistic that someone can possibly be so speedy; especially on the tiny phone keyboard.

Beware of chats sounding like predictable or scripted responses. Bot conversation is generic and not specific to the points and questions posed by the user. Ask your potential date some questions requiring a specific answer. If the response sounds odd in any way, get out of the conversation and block them if possible.

At some point, bot-chat gets around to money or links to other sites, including possibly promising to “show you more” if you just hop over and register on another site. Asking for credit card, banking or other financial information is inevitable. They’ll tug at your heartstrings or other interests based on your Facebook profile. Beware of the most subtle and harmless request for your help or interest in another website. If they do ask you to register on another site, beware of malware that may be downloaded if you click on a link. It’s advised to avoid that at all times on any site that uses clickbait (something that is so attractive, the user clicks to find out more details) to get you to go somewhere else.

Taking these suggestions into account before and during using dating apps, is a step toward arming yourself against exploitation. However, there’s no substitute for common sense. Being on your toes with a healthy dose of skepticism may help users ward-off potential harm to themselves and others they know. Weighing the risks before signing up for social apps is key to using it successfully and safely. Proceed with caution!