Four Top Tips for Protecting Yourself Financially While on Dating Apps

Since the launch of Tinder in 2013, online dating has changed forever. What was once a hidden secret that nobody ever wanted to admit to has now become the most popular way of meeting a new partner. But when it comes to money and dating, things can get complicated. From deciding who pays for what, to knowing when to discuss salaries and financial circumstances, there are a lot of question marks. But while many financial factors are personal preference, there’s one aspect of money and dating that’s non-negotiable: Staying safe. Online scams are on the rise, and dating apps are a common place for people to let their guard down. Here are four top tips for financial dating app safety, without killing the vibe.

1. Be wary of sharing personal information

While you’re probably not going to pop your PIN number in your profile, sharing any kind of personal information can put you at risk of scams. Things like your birthday, names of your parents and details about your pets can all paint a picture of your potential passwords, and/or be used to impersonate your identity. Dating app safety comes down to being careful what you share about yourself and when. Keep specifics private until you’re confident the person is a genuine potential partner.

It’s also important to keep your own financial capacity private until you know you can trust a new partner. Revealing that you have a certain amount of savings, a certain income, or even family money or inheritance can put you at risk of being taken advantage of.

2. Look out for romance scam red flags

Romance scams are on the rise, and online dating has made it even easier for scammers to find victims. Romance scammers will build an intense connection with victims via an online dating app, but usually do their best to avoid meeting them in person. They’ll then use the pseudo-romantic connection to try and get their victims to lend them money for a personal emergency.

It’s important to be aware of red flags when it comes to online dating. These can include:

• Early displays of vulnerability or personal stories. Opening up to a new partner is part of the dating process, but if you notice someone you’re chatting to insists on telling you a lot of intensely personal information early on, this could be a red flag for a potential scam attempt down the line.
• Love bombing. Romance scammers may profess strong feelings to their victims very early in the relationship, sometimes messaging them multiple times a day to give excessive amounts of compliments. This is to try and get you to form a connection to them too, so they can manipulate you later.
• Stock imagery or fake profiles. If something feels off, try a reverse image search of someone’s profile picture to see if they appear elsewhere online. Sometimes people create fake profiles in an attempt to scam you.
• Vague excuses for not being able to meet in person. It’s normal to want to take it slow when online dating, but if someone you’re building a connection with is never able to meet, or frequently cancels at the last minute, they could be a scammer.
• Contradictory details about themselves. Scammers are often speaking to lots of people at once, and may reveal themselves when they slip up on small details. Look out for changing stories or details that don’t add up.
• Any request for money. If someone you’ve built a connection with online asks you to lend them money, say no — especially if you’ve never met them in person. There’s a high chance you’ll never get the money back, and because you’ve willingly transferred it, it can be hard for banks to help you recover lost funds.

3. Don’t click links sent to you in dating apps

Sharing links is a common way to exchange content online, whether you’re suggesting a place to eat, or sharing a funny video. But be extremely wary when clicking links sent via dating apps or in other messaging platforms with people you’ve met online. Links can be used to capture your personal information or even access your devices using malware. Always try to find a way to access the information by finding the website yourself.

4. Get clear on your own financial boundaries

If you’re going to meet offline or pursue a relationship with someone you’ve met online, establishing financial boundaries within yourself is the first step to being able to recognise when they’re being violated. Ask yourself what would make you feel comfortable from a financial perspective, including who pays for what, what kind of financial behaviour is appropriate, and what information you’ll share and when. Then, when you’re dating, you can keep a close eye out for behaviour that violates these boundaries. If someone you’re on a date with is pushing you to share more financial information than you’re comfortable with, or if something starts to feel off about who is paying for what, you can recognise it much more easily.

Staying financially safe when dating is important both in the early stages and as a relationship progresses. While it can be nice for a new partner to treat you, money can be used as a means of power and control, so be sure to trust your gut if something doesn’t feel right.

Emma Edwards is a finance copywriter and blogger, on a mission to humanize the financial services industry by creating meaningful content that’s accessible and empowering. You’ll find her penning money tips at her blog, The Broke Generation, sharing financial insights on Instagram, or injecting life into content for her business clients.