How To Be Catfish-Proof

Are you dating online?
Are you starting to get concerned that the person you're talking to isn't really who they say they are?

You might be getting Catfished.

Catfishing is the phenomenon of internet predators that fabricate online identities and entire social circles to trick people into emotional/romantic relationships (over a long period of time).

If you are dating online you WILL run into catfish. You WILL run into scammers. It's so easy for people to take advantage of someone and it's bad news for someone who is looking for love.

Knowledge IS Power. I promise you.

Step One. You've been talking for a few weeks. Will he Skype with you? Most catfish/scammers will come up with some excuse about why they can't do it.

Step Two. Use the power of Google. Use it...I'm serious. Google his user name. Google his email. Google his pictures. Google the first paragraph of his dating profile.
Why, You ask? because Scammers use the same profile and the same email address on MULTIPLE websites. Because they figure you won't look.

Step Three.
Where's he from? Almost everyone leaves a trail of information on the internet. Start with his state.
Go here... http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/registry and type his name into the sex offender registry for whatever state he lives in.
Wanna know if he's been in prison?...http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/LocateInmate.jsp
Go to his state's municipal court/common pleas court website...you'll be able to see if he's had legal trouble.
Does he own property? Go to his state's Auditor's website and do a property search.
Sometimes you can even find marriage/divorce info online. Not every state has it...but I know Ohio does.

And the number one test that catches catfish..
Tell him you're coming to meet him. 9 times out of 10. He'll have no part of it.

If he won't meet you...RUN!!
He's hiding something.

Other things you can do to protect yourself online. Don't give out your real phone number. Use Google Voice to get a number that masks your real one. You can still call each other and text each other. I always tell the guys up front that I'm using Google Voice and they'll get my real number when I'm comfortable enough to give it to them.

Create an email address just for online dating stuff. Nothing's more fun than having a crazy person email your real email address.

If someone makes you uncomfortable. STOP talking to them. Forget about being rude. You don't owe this person anything. BLOCK them from contacting you.

Good Luck and Happy dating!