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Date: 19. May 2014

Fake Profiles and How to Avoid Them


Meeting people on the Internet is not without its dangers. Indeed, there have been many times in the past where unfortunate individuals have been duped. Fake profiles are not always easy to spot and if you plan on Internet dating, you need to be aware of the warning signs. While some people are simply made a fool of, many more suffer serious consequences.

Visual Evidence and Fake Profiles

Online dating often involves uploading a picture of oneself. Many people upload more than one picture to show all of their good sides. If you come across a page that doesn’t have many, if any, then alarm bells should be going in your head. Some people may naturally be apprehensive about having their picture online, so simply request one be sent to you private inbox. If they refuse the request, it is best to back down.

Fake pictures are also a common problem. If you suspect that a picture may be fake then a simple reverse image search will tell you all you need to know. This is of course only in extreme cases.

Check the Accounts for Inconsistency

Nowadays, most people will have some sort of online presence. There are naturally exceptions to this rule, but if someone does not have much of an online presence it could be another warning sign. Have a look at different social media accounts. Check Facebook, Twitter and a number of other sites. There is bound to be some kind of online presence skulking in the background.

As well as having social media accounts, make sure to look for consistency. A presence that does not match should be a big sign to get out of there as soon as possible.

Pay Attention to Profile Details

This is an obvious one, but many people forget and can be easily taken in. By paying close attention to their profile details, you can also examine what they speak about. Does it match up with what is said on their profile? Cast a critical eye on the person. Above all, trust your gut when it comes to bad news. If you feel uncomfortable, back out straight away.

Need more information? Find out more about avoiding fake profiles here.

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