$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Dating verification scams/Tinder
safe dating website redirect scam
A match on a dating app suggests moving the conversation to a 'safe dating website' that requires registration with a credit card, which then charges hidden fees.
“dating app scam”
↑ 198%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline daters
Often hitsEducators and students
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 builds trust on a mainstream dating app, then claims they prefer a safer platform for continued conversation.
2
They share a link to a fake dating site that requires credit card registration under the guise of identity verification.
3
The site charges recurring fees that are difficult to cancel, often buried in fine print.
What to do first
Stay on the original dating platform — there is no legitimate reason to move to an unknown external site.
Related terms
safe meet website scamsecure dating site redirectverified dating platform scamDating verification scamsTinderRisingOnline datersYoung adultsSinglesEducators and studentsUnited StatesUnited KingdomAustraliasafe meet website scamsecure dating site redirect
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Sarah, 35, a online daters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate dating verification scams situation while using Tinder. The scammer builds trust on a mainstream dating app, then claims they prefer a safer platform for continued conversation.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They share a link to a fake dating site that requires credit card registration under the guise of identity verification.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The site charges recurring fees that are difficult to cancel, often buried in fine print.
The outcome
Sarah realized something was wrong when the match suggests moving to a website you have never heard of for safety. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Stay on the original dating platform — there is no legitimate reason to move to an unknown external site. Sarah's experience shows why the match suggests moving to a website you have never heard of for safety and the site requires credit card details for a supposedly free registration are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The match suggests moving to a website you have never heard of for safety
- The site requires credit card details for a supposedly free registration
- The website has no reviews, social media presence, or verifiable company information
- 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
- ✓Stay on the original dating platform — there is no legitimate reason to move to an unknown external site.
- ✓Search for the website name plus 'scam' before visiting any unfamiliar dating site.
- ✓If you were charged, dispute the transactions with your credit card company and request a new card number.
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 BBB Scam Tracker consistently ranks romance-related scams among the top three riskiest categories for consumer financial loss.
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.
- ✓Stay on the original dating platform — there is no legitimate reason to move to an unknown external site.
- ✓Search for the website name plus 'scam' before visiting any unfamiliar dating site.
- ✓If you were charged, dispute the transactions with your credit card company and request a new card number.
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 BBB Scam Tracker consistently ranks romance-related scams among the top three riskiest categories for consumer financial loss.
BBB Scam Tracker 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, Young adults, Singles, Dating app users
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada
Primary channel
Tinder — 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 BBB Scam Tracker consistently ranks romance-related scams among the top three riskiest categories for consumer financial loss.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about safe dating website redirect scam
How does the safe dating website redirect scam work?+
The scammer builds trust on a mainstream dating app, then claims they prefer a safer platform for continued conversation. They share a link to a fake dating site that requires credit card registration under the guise of identity verification. The site charges recurring fees that are difficult to cancel, often buried in fine print.
What are the warning signs of safe dating website redirect scam?+
The match suggests moving to a website you have never heard of for safety The site requires credit card details for a supposedly free registration The website has no reviews, social media presence, or verifiable company information
What should I do if I encounter safe dating website redirect scam?+
Stay on the original dating platform — there is no legitimate reason to move to an unknown external site. Search for the website name plus 'scam' before visiting any unfamiliar dating site. If you were charged, dispute the transactions with your credit card company and request a new card number.
Who is most at risk for safe dating website redirect scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online daters, Young adults, Singles, Dating app users. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and typically appears on Tinder.
Is safe dating website redirect scam on the rise?+
safe dating website redirect scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, AU, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Romance and investment fraud
↑ 24%Romance-led investment scam
A relationship begins on social or dating platforms and gradually shifts toward a fake investing opportunity with fabricated gains and escalating deposits.
What to do first
Never invest based on a romantic contact's recommendation.
Targets
Online daters
Seen in
Global
Romance scams
↑ 41%Widowed doctor romance scam
A scammer claims to be a widowed doctor working abroad and builds trust before asking for emergency money.
What to do first
Reverse image search the profile and pause before sending anything.
Targets
Online daters
Seen in
Global
Romance scams
↑ 100%Military deployment romance scam
A fake service member says military rules block access to money or leave, so the victim needs to send funds or gift cards.
What to do first
Do not send money to anyone who cannot verify identity outside the romance narrative.
Targets
Online daters
Seen in
Global
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.