With cooler weather comes a spike in dating‑app usage, and many single people are eager to find a committed partner before the holidays. This seasonal rush, known as “cuffing season,” also creates a prime hunting ground for romance scammers who prey on hopeful daters.
Why romance scams are a growing threat
The Federal Trade Commission reports that losses from romance fraud jumped 22% in 2025, reaching $1.48 million. Scammers invest weeks or months building emotional trust before requesting money, gifts, or personal data. Advanced technology—AI‑generated photos, deep‑fake videos, and voice‑cloning—makes their false identities increasingly convincing.
Common tactics used by scammers
- Posing as a military member, celebrity, executive, or model to create an appealing backstory.
- Love‑bombing early with intense affection to fast‑track emotional attachment.
- Offering excuses to avoid meeting in person, such as being overseas or dealing with a family emergency.
- Pressuring the victim to move the conversation off the dating platform.
- Providing inconsistent or contradictory personal details.
- Insisting the relationship remain secret, isolating the victim from friends and family.
How to verify a match
Take these steps early in any new connection:
- Reverse‑search the name or phone number. Free people‑search tools can confirm age, address, and reveal inconsistencies.
- Check their online presence. Genuine people leave a consistent digital footprint across social, professional, and public profiles. A complete lack of any presence isn’t automatically a red flag, but mismatched details should raise concern.
- Run a reverse‑image search on profile photos. This can uncover reused images that appear on multiple fake profiles.
- Request a live video call or an in‑person meeting. Scammers prefer to stay behind a screen. A simple video chat can quickly reveal whether the person is who they claim to be.
Red flags to watch for
Beyond the tactics above, keep an eye on these eight warning signs:
- Requests for money or gift cards, even small amounts.
- Excessive love‑bombing early in the conversation.
- Repeated excuses for not meeting in person.
- Urgent pushes to move the conversation to another platform.
- Stories that don’t add up or change frequently.
- Insistence on keeping the relationship secret.
Stay safe while dating
Most online daters are sincere, but caution is wise. Take things slowly, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and never send money to someone you haven’t met. If you decide to meet, choose a public place and let a trusted friend know where you’ll be.
By applying these verification steps, you can protect both your heart and your identity this cuffing season.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
