$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Dating verification scams/Hinge
video chat verification scam
A dating match insists on verifying identity through a specific video chat app that requires payment or downloads malware onto your device.
“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 suggests a video call to build trust but insists on a specific unknown app.
2
The app download link installs spyware or adware on the victim's device.
3
Alternatively, the app requires a paid subscription, with the scammer earning affiliate commissions on signups.
What to do first
Suggest a mainstream video app like FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet — a legitimate person will agree.
Related terms
video verify scamdating video call app scamfake video chat platformDating verification scamsHingeRisingOnline datersYoung adultsDating app usersEducators and studentsUnited StatesCanadaUnited Kingdomvideo verify scamdating video call app scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Olga, 35, a online daters, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate dating verification scams situation while using Hinge. The scammer suggests a video call to build trust but insists on a specific unknown app.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The app download link installs spyware or adware on the victim's device.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Alternatively, the app requires a paid subscription, with the scammer earning affiliate commissions on signups.
The outcome
Olga realized something was wrong when the match insists on using a specific video app you have never heard of instead of facetime, zoom, or google meet. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Suggest a mainstream video app like FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet — a legitimate person will agree. Olga's experience shows why the match insists on using a specific video app you have never heard of instead of facetime, zoom, or google meet and the app requires a payment or subscription to use are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The match insists on using a specific video app you have never heard of instead of FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet
- The app requires a payment or subscription to use
- The download link goes to a third-party site rather than an official app store
- 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
- ✓Suggest a mainstream video app like FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet — a legitimate person will agree.
- ✓Never download apps from links sent by strangers; only use official app stores.
- ✓If you installed an unknown app, uninstall it immediately and run a malware scan on your device.
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 IC3 noted that romance scammers increasingly use requests for app downloads as a way to install malware or steal credentials.
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.
- ✓Suggest a mainstream video app like FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet — a legitimate person will agree.
- ✓Never download apps from links sent by strangers; only use official app stores.
- ✓If you installed an unknown app, uninstall it immediately and run a malware scan on your device.
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 IC3 noted that romance scammers increasingly use requests for app downloads as a way to install malware or steal credentials.
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, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany
Primary channel
Hinge — 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 IC3 noted that romance scammers increasingly use requests for app downloads as a way to install malware or steal credentials.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about video chat verification scam
How does the video chat verification scam work?+
The scammer suggests a video call to build trust but insists on a specific unknown app. The app download link installs spyware or adware on the victim's device. Alternatively, the app requires a paid subscription, with the scammer earning affiliate commissions on signups.
What are the warning signs of video chat verification scam?+
The match insists on using a specific video app you have never heard of instead of FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet The app requires a payment or subscription to use The download link goes to a third-party site rather than an official app store
What should I do if I encounter video chat verification scam?+
Suggest a mainstream video app like FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meet — a legitimate person will agree. Never download apps from links sent by strangers; only use official app stores. If you installed an unknown app, uninstall it immediately and run a malware scan on your device.
Who is most at risk for video chat verification scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online daters, Young adults, Dating app users. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany and typically appears on Hinge.
Is video chat verification scam on the rise?+
video chat verification scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA, UK, DE. 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.