$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Dating verification scams/Tinder
STI testing verification scam
A dating match demands you get tested for STIs through a specific website before meeting, which charges for a fake test or collects your health and payment information.
“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 frames the STI test request as responsible behavior, making the victim feel they should comply.
2
The linked site collects payment for a fake test and harvests sensitive health and identity information.
3
The scammer may also use the collected data for medical identity theft or insurance fraud.
What to do first
Get STI testing through your own healthcare provider or a reputable clinic — never through a link from a dating match.
Related terms
STD testing scamhealth clearance dating scamsexual health verification scamDating verification scamsTinderRisingOnline datersYoung adultsSinglesEducators and studentsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaSTD testing scamhealth clearance dating scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Kenji, 35, a online daters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate dating verification scams situation while using Tinder. The scammer frames the STI test request as responsible behavior, making the victim feel they should comply.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The linked site collects payment for a fake test and harvests sensitive health and identity information.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The scammer may also use the collected data for medical identity theft or insurance fraud.
The outcome
Kenji realized something was wrong when the match insists on a specific testing site rather than accepting results from any healthcare provider. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Get STI testing through your own healthcare provider or a reputable clinic — never through a link from a dating match. Kenji's experience shows why the match insists on a specific testing site rather than accepting results from any healthcare provider and the testing site charges unusually low fees and does not appear to be a licensed medical provider are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The match insists on a specific testing site rather than accepting results from any healthcare provider
- The testing site charges unusually low fees and does not appear to be a licensed medical provider
- The site requests insurance information or Social Security numbers
- 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
- ✓Get STI testing through your own healthcare provider or a reputable clinic — never through a link from a dating match.
- ✓Be cautious of anyone who insists on a specific testing provider rather than accepting standard medical results.
- ✓Report the user and the fraudulent testing 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.
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 has warned about dating scams that exploit health concerns as a pretext for collecting sensitive personal and financial 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.
- ✓Get STI testing through your own healthcare provider or a reputable clinic — never through a link from a dating match.
- ✓Be cautious of anyone who insists on a specific testing provider rather than accepting standard medical results.
- ✓Report the user and the fraudulent testing site to the dating platform and the FTC.
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 has warned about dating scams that exploit health concerns as a pretext for collecting sensitive personal and financial 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, Young adults, Singles
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, 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 FTC has warned about dating scams that exploit health concerns as a pretext for collecting sensitive personal and financial information.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about sti testing verification scam
How does the sti testing verification scam work?+
The scammer frames the STI test request as responsible behavior, making the victim feel they should comply. The linked site collects payment for a fake test and harvests sensitive health and identity information. The scammer may also use the collected data for medical identity theft or insurance fraud.
What are the warning signs of sti testing verification scam?+
The match insists on a specific testing site rather than accepting results from any healthcare provider The testing site charges unusually low fees and does not appear to be a licensed medical provider The site requests insurance information or Social Security numbers
What should I do if I encounter sti testing verification scam?+
Get STI testing through your own healthcare provider or a reputable clinic — never through a link from a dating match. Be cautious of anyone who insists on a specific testing provider rather than accepting standard medical results. Report the user and the fraudulent testing site to the dating platform and the FTC.
Who is most at risk for sti testing verification scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online daters, Young adults, Singles. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Tinder.
Is sti testing verification scam on the rise?+
STI testing verification scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. 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.