$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
background check fee scam
A dating match asks you to pay for a background check on them as a trust-building gesture, directing you to a fake background check site that pockets the fee.
“dating app scam”
↑ 198%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline daters
Often hitsPayroll, HR, and finance teams
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
The scammer sends a link to a fake background check service, often pretending it was suggested by the dating platform.
2
The site charges a one-time fee or subscription to generate a meaningless report.
3
The payment information is harvested for further fraud, and the report provides no real data.
What to do first
Do not pay for background checks through links sent by dating matches.
Related terms
dating background check scamromance background verificationpaid trust check scamDating verification scamsSMSRisingOnline datersSinglesDating app usersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesCanadaAustraliadating background check scamromance background verification
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Brian, 35, a online daters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate dating verification scams situation while using SMS. The scammer sends a link to a fake background check service, often pretending it was suggested by the dating platform.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The site charges a one-time fee or subscription to generate a meaningless report.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The payment information is harvested for further fraud, and the report provides no real data.
The outcome
Brian realized something was wrong when a match proactively offers their background check results from an unfamiliar service. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Do not pay for background checks through links sent by dating matches. Brian's experience shows why a match proactively offers their background check results from an unfamiliar service and you are asked to pay a fee to access the results or run your own check are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- A match proactively offers their background check results from an unfamiliar service
- You are asked to pay a fee to access the results or run your own check
- The background check site has no presence on the Better Business Bureau or consumer review platforms
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Do not pay for background checks through links sent by dating matches.
- ✓Use legitimate, well-known background check services if you want to verify someone's identity.
- ✓Report the profile and the scam site to the dating platform and the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FTC warns consumers about fake background check websites used in romance scams as a common method to extract payment information.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Do not pay for background checks through links sent by dating matches.
- ✓Use legitimate, well-known background check services if you want to verify someone's identity.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FTC warns consumers about fake background check websites used in romance scams as a common method to extract payment information.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Online daters, Singles, Dating app users
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
SMS — Dating verification scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online daters are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FTC warns consumers about fake background check websites used in romance scams as a common method to extract payment information.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about background check fee scam
How does the background check fee scam work?+
The scammer sends a link to a fake background check service, often pretending it was suggested by the dating platform. The site charges a one-time fee or subscription to generate a meaningless report. The payment information is harvested for further fraud, and the report provides no real data.
What are the warning signs of background check fee scam?+
A match proactively offers their background check results from an unfamiliar service You are asked to pay a fee to access the results or run your own check The background check site has no presence on the Better Business Bureau or consumer review platforms
What should I do if I encounter background check fee scam?+
Do not pay for background checks through links sent by dating matches. Use legitimate, well-known background check services if you want to verify someone's identity. Report the profile and the scam site to the dating platform and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for background check fee scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online daters, Singles, Dating app users. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, Australia and typically appears on SMS.
Is background check fee scam on the rise?+
background check fee scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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What to do first
Do not tap the link from the text.
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What to do first
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What to do first
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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