Hinge scams: red flags of fake profiles, romance scams and investment pitches
Quick answer
Scammers on Hinge move you off the app fast, avoid calls, and eventually ask for money or push an investment. Never send money to a match, and report any match who tells you where to invest. You can report a profile from the app.
- Comes by
- App, Text, Social media
- Last updated
How it works
Hinge says people with bad intentions often try to move the conversation to text, a messaging app, email or phone right away. They avoid phone or video calls, and may push for a serious relationship before they know you.
Then comes a reason to send money. Hinge lists a visa, customs fees, surgeries, family medical bills, car repairs and plane tickets to visit. It says never to send money, especially by wire, even in an emergency.
The FTC says that if someone you meet online wants to help you invest in cryptocurrency, it's an investment scam. Hinge's selfie verification confirms a photo matches a face, but not a name, age or other details, and Hinge says no screening is foolproof.
Red flags
- A match who wants to move to text or another app quickly
- Refusal to do a phone or video call
- Pushing for a serious relationship before you've met
- A story that needs money: visa, customs, medical bills or travel
- An offer to help you invest in crypto
- A verified badge treated as proof of who someone is
Example message
I feel like we have a real connection. Can we talk on [link]? I've been making good money with a crypto platform and I can show you how. I just need you to start with a small amount.
What to do
- 1
Don't send money
Hinge says never to send money, especially by wire, even in an emergency.
- 2
Ask for a call or video
Hinge suggests a phone or video call as a screening step. Refusal is a warning sign.
- 3
Report the profile
Use the report option on the profile or in the conversation. Hinge also tells you to report a match who tells you where to invest.
- 4
If you sent money, contact your bank
Say it was a scam and ask what can be stopped. Report it to the FTC and the FBI's IC3.
- 5
Protect your accounts and details
Stop contact and change passwords if you shared any. Our guide on what to do after a data breach covers more.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers on dating apps often look you up before they message. Your name, phone number and workplace can come from people-search sites and social profiles.
Serus finds where your phone number, address and email are listed on people-search sites and other data brokers and files removal requests, and it alerts you when your details turn up in a breach. That won't stop every message, but it gives scammers less to work with.
Frequently asked
Does Hinge's verification badge mean a profile is safe?
No. Hinge says selfie verification confirms a photo matches a face, not a name, age or other details.
Why do they want to leave the app?
Hinge says people with bad intentions often try to move to text, messaging apps, email or phone right away.
A match is telling me to invest in crypto. What should I do?
The FTC says that's an investment scam. Stop, don't send money and report the profile to Hinge.
Is Hinge a scam?
No. Hinge is a real dating app, but scammers use it.
Sources
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