Are you being catfished? If you’re at all suspicious that someone you’re talking to online is not, in fact, who they say they are, you could be a victim of catfishing. It’s important to know what catfishing is and to be able to identify warning signs so you can protect yourself against online predators. With the growing popularity of social media websites and dating apps, catfishing is also rising.
Quite simply, catfishing is the act of interacting online using a fake persona, often through social media and dating apps, to form relationships with other people. And it happens more than you’d think.
Here’s what to look out for if you think you might be getting catfished:
They don’t have many followers or friends.
Experts suggest that someone on multiple platforms beyond a dating app, such as Twitter or Instagram, is easier to verify because you can understand how consistent they are across platforms. If they have a legitimate following across these platforms, it is more likely they are who they say they are.
Google their images.
When you search for the pictures they sent you and they link up to someone else’s profile, you’ve likely exposed this person’s lie. Reverse-image searching their photos on Google is the quickest way to know if the person you are talking to is a rogue catfishing you.
They never want to video chat or talk on the phone.
You want to take things to the next level by talking on the phone or video chatting, but they refuse. They will come up with excuses to avoid it because then their identity will be busted. So, if they keep making excuses to avoid chatting with you in person, you may have caught a catfish.
They’re ridiculously good-looking.
You know the old adage: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is not. If the photos you are being sent are model quality and too good to be true, chances are they are being stolen from someone else. Give it a quick thought: How many scavengers actually use random, mediocre pictures they found online? Almost none. Take this as a red flag and proceed with caution—they may be catfish.
They have elaborate emotional stories.
Whether they are trying to gain money from you or ask for pity, catfishers know how to pull emotional heartstrings. Sob stories about the tales of childhood misery and trauma, financial stress, broken hearts shared early on with a stranger would indicate they are trying to build an emotional connection. Catfishers usually have grand, almost unreal explanations why they need an emergency monetary transfer or why they can’t meet you in person. Beware of someone like this.
As you will now see, the digital age has made it so much easier for teens to fall prey to scammers. It becomes imperative to keep a close eye on your child’s online activities and social circles as a parent. Child Safety App is a free child phone tracker app that helps ensure your children’s safety.
