Buzz
Online dating is an excellent opportunity to connect with potential partners and meet many new people at once. However, when something feels off, how do you separate the honest individuals from those who aren't? This article highlights some common warning signs that someone might be dishonest, so you can protect yourself while dating online.
Steps
They seem almost too perfect.
If someone appears ideal, they might be hiding something. If you’re wondering how you ended up matched with a supermodel or why such a charming, attractive individual is still single, this should raise a red flag. Trust your instincts: if it feels too good to be true, it most likely is.
Their stories don’t quite match up.
Liars often struggle to keep their stories consistent. One moment they might say they’re a doctor, and the next they claim to work on an oil rig. Or, they may say they're from California, but later mention that they’re actually from Alabama. If you keep hearing conflicting details, chances are they aren't being truthful.
- For example, they might tell you they’re traveling for work, but when asked again, their reason changes to visiting family.
- Or they may say they’re divorced, but later state they’re just separated.
They share too many similarities with you.
They might be trying to bond with you by mimicking your experiences. It’s common for liars to echo parts of your life. You might find that every time you mention something about yourself, they respond with, “No way, me too!” This tactic helps them appear relatable while avoiding the effort of making up new stories.
- For instance, if you mention your dad served in the military and that you moved often, they might reply, “Wow, same here.”
- Or, if you reveal that you dropped out of college, they might say, “Yeah, I did that too.”
Their photos appear unclear or pixelated.
This could be a sign they’re concealing their true identity. Most users on dating sites choose pictures that make them look their best in order to attract the maximum attention. If the person you’re talking to only shares photos that are unclear or taken from a distance, it’s a warning sign.
- This also applies if they only have group photos.
Their photos appear altered or digitally enhanced.
Many people edit their photos to look more attractive. Take a closer look at their profile pictures to spot any inconsistencies. If their skin looks unnaturally smooth or their muscles appear exaggerated, it’s likely that the person you’re speaking with is not being entirely honest.
- Sometimes, people use older pictures of themselves to seem younger or in better shape. If their pictures look like they were taken years ago, that’s probably because they were.
They are using someone else’s photos.
You can check if their photos appear on other websites using a reverse image search. Some individuals take photos from other sources and pass them off as their own. Occasionally, they might even use pictures of celebrities to pretend they’re someone famous. To find out if your potential date is using someone else’s images, save their pictures and run them through Google’s reverse image search. If the images show up elsewhere, the person you’re chatting with is probably not being truthful.
They tend to use fewer personal pronouns.
Research suggests that liars often try to create emotional distance through their language. While reviewing their profile or chatting with them, pay attention to how frequently they use the word “I.” If it's uncommon or completely absent, it's likely they are lying, as they are trying to depersonalize their responses.
- For example, rather than saying, “I graduated in 2012,” they might say, “My graduation occurred in 2012.”
They provide brief bios or descriptions.
Liars often avoid putting much effort into their online profiles. You may notice their bios are short or even entirely missing. This usually indicates dishonesty, as most genuine individuals want to take the time to craft a thoughtful bio to attract potential matches.
They avoid talking about their physical appearance.
If they're lying about their appearance, they may become defensive. Try asking them something specific about their look, like whether they have a tan at the moment or the length of their hair. If they’re being dishonest, they’ll likely avoid the question and shift the topic.
- Often, those lying about their looks will change the subject to something unrelated, like their accomplishments. For example, if you ask, 'You look so fit in your photos. Are you still that buff?' they might respond with, 'Haha, yeah, that was the year I won the National Championship in men’s wrestling.'
They quickly declare their love for you.
Love bombing is a common trick used by scammers. If someone suddenly declares their love for you after only a brief conversation, it’s a red flag. Unfortunately, they might be playing with your emotions to get something from you, like money or financial support.
- Most people on dating platforms prefer to meet in person before making such strong emotional commitments.
They ask you for money.
Scammers often use dating sites to request money transfers or gift cards. If someone you’ve met on a dating app asks for money or your financial details, stop communicating with them immediately. They are likely lying about their identity and will probably disappear after receiving the funds.
- If you've been targeted by a romance scam, contact your bank right away, as they may be able to help you recover some or all of the money.
- If someone is particularly seeking a 'sugar momma' or 'daddy,' asking for money or financial details can be a sign they’re not being truthful.
- Reader Poll: We surveyed 479 Mytour readers, and 64% of them agreed that constantly requesting financial help would make them question whether a sugar momma is truly wealthy. [Take Poll]
You can’t find any information about them on Google.
If you can’t find anything about them, they could be using a fake name. Try searching for the details you know about the person you’re chatting with—their name, age, location, and occupation. Most people will show up with at least one or two results, especially if they have social media accounts. If there’s no trace of them online, they may be lying about their identity.
- It’s always a good idea to run a quick Google search on anyone you meet online to confirm they’re real.
They always have reasons why they can’t meet up.
A liar will avoid meeting in person to prevent their lies from being uncovered. If you’ve been talking with someone for a while, it’s natural to want to arrange an in-person meeting. But if they constantly have excuses or avoid making plans, it might be time to reconsider. Often, they’re hesitant to meet because they’ve been dishonest about who they are or their appearance.
- They may even cancel at the last minute, especially if you’ve already made travel plans to meet them.
