The Scoop: In 2018, Americans lost over $143 million to online dating scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these reported losses have quadrupled in just three years, putting millions of people at risk. Fortunately, RomanceScams.org is fighting back against the catfishers and scammers on dating sites by publishing informative articles entreating consumers to beware and stay safe online. This comprehensive website arms online daters so they can spot red flags and vet potential love interests more confidently and competently.
Chelsea King joined a dating site in 2015 hoping to find love. Instead, she found herself in financial trouble after falling for someone who wasn’t who he said he was. She lost more than $35,000 to an online dating scam.
Such a heartbreaking scam may have demoralized some people, but not Chelsea. She took her bad experience and turned it into something positive by becoming the Editor-in-Chief of RomanceScams.org, a website dedicated to protecting online daters from scammers, spammers, and other cybercriminals.
RomanceScams.org launched June 5, 2005 as a resource for singles who were dating in a brave new online world. The site began as a Yahoo Group where people talked about scams on dating sites, and it attracted thousands of readers who felt leery about online dating and wanted to learn how to spot fraudulent profiles.
Today, RomanceScams.org is a comprehensive website that teaches online daters to recognize and avoid common scams. Over 51,000 people have read through RomanceScams.org’s articles and benefited from its expert advice.
Not only did Chelsea become the leader of RomanceScams.org in 2015, but she also continued to date online herself and met her now-husband on a dating site — thus proving that online dating works and can be safe as long as you know what you’re doing and take reasonable precautions.
RomanceScams.org is a leading authority on fake profiles, legit dating sites, and online dating safety, and its virtual assistance can help newcomers to the online dating scene build authentic relationships.
“Romance scams have significantly increased due to the advent of readily available technology,” said Jack A., a spokesperson for RomanceScams.org. “People need to be protected and made aware. That’s what we do.”
Helping Vulnerable Singles Spot Red Flags Online
RomanceScams.org publishes informational articles regarding romance scams, dating sites, and online safety tips. The authors tackle hot topics in today’s dating scene, including why dating apps are popular and how to woo a real Russian woman.
RomanceScams.org discusses all different types of scams and explains terms like catfishing. The website tackles each subject with the goal of answering every possible question users may have. These thorough articles contain a wealth of information and reviews to help daters understand what to expect and how to navigate particular dating sites or apps.
Thanks to the team’s diligence and trustworthiness, RomanceScams.org has earned a loyal, international audience and helped tens of thousands of people stay safe online.
Online dating scams can impact anyone, but the older population seem to be particularly at risk. According to the RomanceScams.org team, single and divorced women over 50 tend to be the most vulnerable to online dating scams. Some scammers will invest weeks or months in the con, building trust with someone before asking for money.
“Scammers usually prefer to bond with you online because oftentimes it’s easier to trick you that way,” according to an article about Tinder scams.
RomanceScams.org offers simple and practical advice for online daters while also linking to resources such as ScamWatch to ensure today’s singles stay informed and alert. The ultimate goal of the website is to arm online daters with the information they need to confidently filter their matches and make genuine connections on any dating platform.
“It makes a world of difference when our information assist others,” Jack said. “We receive emails daily showing gratitude. We hope to continue doing this for years to come.”
Making a Difference Through Education & Prevention
A small team of volunteers and on-staff writers powers the content on RomanceScams.org. They dedicate their time to thoroughly investigating the online dating scene and vetting popular sites and apps, so they can competently sort the legit resources from the spammy click bait.
Chelsea told us that some of RomanceScams.org’s team, including the Chief Editor, have been scammed in the past and feel passionately about making online dating safer for everyone.
These industry experts have decided that the best way to ensure that people don’t become the victim of a scam is by teaching them how to recognize and avoid scams. That’s what RomanceScams.org is there for.
RomanceScams.org shines a light on the shady parts of the web and gives everyday users the tools to succeed. These dating experts urge users to stay alert and be cautious whenever they meet someone online.
“These days, online fraudsters are very clever. By the time you know you are being scammed, you’d have lost a significant amount of money.” — RomanceScams.org
RomanceScams.org keeps a growing list of known scammers on dating sites and apps, and the team offers its database as a resource to daters wondering if someone is the real deal. Anyone can submit the name, email, and phone number of someone they met online to RomanceScams.org, and the team will verify that the person isn’t on its list.
While this isn’t a thorough background check, it can be helpful as a first line of defense to let daters know where they stand. The RomanceScams.org team recommends daters also use resources like BeenVerified to vet and verify their dates.
Looking to the future, the RomanceScams.org team intends to continue delivering useful tips and resources for the online dating community. They are particularly focused on reviewing dating sites and apps that harbor scammers or come with safety concerns.
“Prevention from the onset is key here,” the RomanceScams.org team said. “We can never win the fight against scams. There will always be people out there looking to hurt others. What we can do is be a resource for those who want to protect themselves.”
RomanceScams.org Has Helped Protect 51,000+ Daters
Chelsea had a rocky start in the online dating scene, but she didn’t let it keep her down for long. Her encounter with an online dating scam motivated her to keep others from becoming victims of similar romantic ploys. Now, as Editor-in-Chief of RomanceScams.org, she has helped thousands of singles avoid losing their money or wasting their time on dating scams.
Since 2005, the RomanceScams.org team has tracked and monitored online dating threats and raised awareness about the potential safety hazards on the road to romance. Its comprehensive blog can be a great starter kit for anyone considering joining a dating site or app.
“We have seen the wave of technology bring forth more and more sophisticated scammers,” Jack said. “We have seen what a scam can do to an individual both financially and emotionally. We see ourselves as the #1 resource on such topics.”