$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Dating verification scams/Bumble
photo verification scam
A dating app match asks you to verify your photos through an external site that collects your selfie and personal data for identity theft or deepfake creation.
“dating app scam”
↑ 198%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline daters
Often hitsEducators and students
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
The scammer claims the external photo verification proves you are a real person and not a catfish.
2
The phishing site collects selfies paired with personal data, which can be used for identity fraud or sold on dark web marketplaces.
3
Collected images may also be used to create deepfake content or to set up fraudulent accounts.
What to do first
Use only the built-in verification features of dating apps — Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge all have native photo verification.
Related terms
selfie verification scamphoto ID dating scamface verification phishingDating verification scamsBumbleRisingOnline datersYoung adultsDating app usersEducators and studentsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaselfie verification scamphoto ID dating scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Christopher, 35, a online daters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate dating verification scams situation while using Bumble. The scammer claims the external photo verification proves you are a real person and not a catfish.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The phishing site collects selfies paired with personal data, which can be used for identity fraud or sold on dark web marketplaces.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Collected images may also be used to create deepfake content or to set up fraudulent accounts.
The outcome
Christopher realized something was wrong when a match sends a link to verify your photos outside the dating app. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Use only the built-in verification features of dating apps — Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge all have native photo verification. Christopher's experience shows why a match sends a link to verify your photos outside the dating app and the site asks you to upload a selfie holding your id or a piece of paper with a code are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- A match sends a link to verify your photos outside the dating app
- The site asks you to upload a selfie holding your ID or a piece of paper with a code
- The site also requests additional personal details like your full name and address
- 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
- ✓Use only the built-in verification features of dating apps — Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge all have native photo verification.
- ✓Never upload photos of yourself holding ID to an external website.
- ✓Report the user to the dating platform and monitor your identity through a free credit monitoring service.
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.
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 FBI has warned that stolen identity documents and selfies are increasingly used to bypass KYC verification on financial platforms.
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.
- ✓Use only the built-in verification features of dating apps — Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge all have native photo verification.
- ✓Never upload photos of yourself holding ID to an external website.
- ✓Report the user to the dating platform and monitor your identity through a free credit monitoring service.
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 FBI has warned that stolen identity documents and selfies are increasingly used to bypass KYC verification on financial platforms.
FBI IC3 2024
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, Young adults, Dating app users
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Bumble — 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 FBI has warned that stolen identity documents and selfies are increasingly used to bypass KYC verification on financial platforms.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about photo verification scam
How does the photo verification scam work?+
The scammer claims the external photo verification proves you are a real person and not a catfish. The phishing site collects selfies paired with personal data, which can be used for identity fraud or sold on dark web marketplaces. Collected images may also be used to create deepfake content or to set up fraudulent accounts.
What are the warning signs of photo verification scam?+
A match sends a link to verify your photos outside the dating app The site asks you to upload a selfie holding your ID or a piece of paper with a code The site also requests additional personal details like your full name and address
What should I do if I encounter photo verification scam?+
Use only the built-in verification features of dating apps — Bumble, Tinder, and Hinge all have native photo verification. Never upload photos of yourself holding ID to an external website. Report the user to the dating platform and monitor your identity through a free credit monitoring service.
Who is most at risk for photo verification scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online daters, Young adults, Dating app users. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Bumble.
Is photo verification scam on the rise?+
photo verification scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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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.