7 Hinge scams to avoid

Hinge is a popular dating app that lets users send likes and match with people they’re interested in. While Hinge itself is legit, scammers still lurk on the platform, as they can on any site or app. They use fake profiles to launch romance scams and go after your personal and financial information.

You might know how to spot red flags in a romantic partner, but can you spot them in a scammer? Keep reading to learn which Hinge scams to watch out for, how to stop them, and how you can help protect your personal data.

1. Military romance scam

In a military romance scam on Hinge, a fraudster poses as a service member to gain your trust and manipulate you into sending money or personally identifiable information (PII).

They may use stolen photos of real military personnel to make their profile look authentic, and often claim to be stationed overseas to avoid meeting in person. Video chatting is also usually off the table, and fraudsters will conveniently blame it on “security reasons.”

Once a bond forms, the scammer starts asking for money, often citing plausible-sounding reasons like being unable to access their bank account overseas.

2. Hinge crypto scam

A Hinge cryptocurrency scam is when a fraudster poses as a romantic interest to trick you into investing in cryptocurrency. These scams often promise high returns, but the money ends up in the scammer’s pocket instead.

In one case, a victim lost $390,000 in inheritance after a scammer matched with her on Hinge and convinced her to invest in fake crypto opportunities. According to CBS News, the scammer first helped her open legitimate cryptocurrency accounts, then manipulated her into transferring the funds to the scammer’s own digital wallet.

Anyone on dating apps aggressively pushing you to invest in cryptocurrency likely has an ulterior motive, so this is a big red flag.

3. The sudden emergency ploy

In this scam, a Hinge fraudster makes up an urgent crisis and asks for financial help to resolve it. They might claim they need money for a life-saving medical procedure or food for their children. But once you send funds, the requests don’t stop, and they’ll make up new emergencies to keep the money flowing.

4. Hinge sextortion setup

In a Hinge sextortion scam, a bad actor poses as a romantic interest and attempts to convince you to share intimate photos, only to use them for blackmail. The scammer may threaten to post the images online or send them to your friends or family, unless you pay a ransom.

One victim shared his experience online after he matched with someone claiming to be a woman named Tracy. After weeks of chatting, she sent him intimate photos, and he sent some back. That’s when the scammer demanded €2,000, threatening to send the images to his family if he didn’t pay.

Even if no real photos are shared, fraudsters may use AI scams to generate realistic-looking fake images for extortion.

5. The “I’m coming to see you” travel scam

You might find yourself building a connection with someone who claims to live far away, who says they want to visit you. They might ask you for money to cover travel expenses, promising they'll pay you back. However, once they receive the money, they disappear, leaving you without your cash or date.

6. Sugar daddy or momma scam

In this scam, a fraudster messages you on Hinge, claiming to be a wealthy sugar daddy or sugar momma, offering money or gifts in exchange for affection. They promise luxurious trips, lavish presents, and weekly payments, but instead, you lose money or fall victim to identity theft.

One way this scam plays out is through an overpayment scheme. The scammer might send you a fake check or transfer money over Cash App as your “allowance.” They’ll then say they accidentally sent too much and ask you to refund the difference. The fake check bounces once you send the money, or the Cash App funds are reversed because the scammer used stolen card information.

In other cases, the fake sugar daddy or momma may ask for sensitive information under the guise of needing it to deposit money into your account or payment app. They then use this information to steal your identity or hack into your online accounts.

7. Malicious links

If you’re (unknowingly) chatting with a scammer on Hinge, they might send you a link to steal your login information or install malware on your device. They could claim it’s a restaurant menu for your date or a link to their social media profile, but it’s best to avoid clicking links from anyone you don’t know well.

How to spot a scammer on Hinge

To spot a Hinge scammer, look for signs such as rushed intimacy, too-perfect profile photos, and repeated excuses to avoid meeting in person. Scammers often try to play the fast game by gaining your trust quickly, so they can steal money or personal information.

Here are more details on what to look out for:

• Overly polished photos: If the photos look like they came from a modeling portfolio or stock image site, there’s a good chance they’re stolen.
• Requests to move the convo off Hinge: Scammers often ask to move the conversation to a messaging app like Telegram to avoid Hinge’s security filters.
• Love bombing: If someone expresses intense feelings or says “I love you” too soon, they may be trying to manipulate you.
• “New here” badge: Scammers often have to create new accounts, so a recently created profile could be a red flag, especially if paired with other suspicious behavior.
• Excuses to avoid meeting up in person: Be cautious if someone repeatedly cancels plans or avoids video chatting, claiming they’re traveling or deployed in the military.

Already got scammed on Hinge? Here’s your next move

If you were scammed on Hinge, acting quickly to secure your finances and identity is important. Reporting the scam can also help remove the scammer from the platform and prevent others from falling victim.

Follow these steps if you were scammed on Hinge:

1. Contact your bank: If you lost money, call your bank or credit card company immediately to see if they can reverse the transaction, and ask what steps to take to secure your finances.
2. Block the scammer: Block their profile and cut off communication across all platforms.
3. Update your passwords: If you shared sensitive information, update your passwords to secure your accounts.
4. Monitor your credit: Consider enrolling in a credit monitoring service to help detect potential signs of identity theft.
5. Report the scammer: Report the fraudster’s account on the Hinge app.

How to protect your heart (and wallet) against Hinge scams

To help protect yourself from scams on Hinge, avoid sending money, sharing personal details, or moving conversations off the app too quickly. Taking a few precautions can help you build a real connection, instead of falling for a fake one.

Here are some tips to help you avoid Hinge scams:

• Look for verified profiles: Profiles with Hinge’s verification badge are more likely to be legitimate users.
• Never send money to matches: No matter how urgent or emotional the story seems, don’t send money to someone you’ve only met online.
• Protect your personal data: Avoid sharing personal details like your address, financial information, or anything that could be used to steal your identity.
• Ask to video chat: A quick video call can help confirm the person you’re talking to is real and matches their photos.
• Verify profile information: Look the person up on other social media platforms and reverse image search their pictures to help confirm their identity.
• Keep conversations on the app: Hinge offers message filters designed to detect suspicious or harmful behavior, so staying on the platform is safer until you’re certain the other person is legit.

Does Hinge protect against scammers?

Yes. Hinge uses several measures to help protect users from scammers, including data encryption and human moderators who review suspicious activity. Here are some of the tools and features Hinge has to help keep online daters safe:

• Algorithms designed to detect fraudulent activity.
• Moderators who review suspicious accounts and interactions.
• Encryption to protect users’ personal information.
• Selfie verification to help keep fake profiles at bay.
• Reporting tools that allow users to flag questionable encounters.

While Hinge has security features in place to help maintain a safe platform, it’s important to remain vigilant. Scammers can still lurk in the shadows, so be cautious when interacting with others anywhere online.

Stay safer while dating on Hinge

Hinge is just one of the online dating platforms where scammers operate, trying to steal your personal info and pull off sneaky scams. If you're swiping for love, add an extra layer of protection with a LifeLock Standard membership.

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FAQs

How can you tell if a Hinge profile is fake?

You can spot a fake Hinge profile and identify a scammer if the photos look overly polished or similar to stock images, the profile has very little personal information, and there’s no verification badge.

What does “verified” on Hinge mean?

Being “verified” on Hinge means the user has completed a selfie video verification process to confirm that their profile photos actually match their real appearance.

Can you fake Hinge verification?

While faking Hinge verification is difficult, it is possible using deepfakes and other technology. An easier way scammers bypass the system is by uploading real photos to complete the verification process and earn the verified badge, then afterward, they change their profile photos to fake or misleading images.

Can Hinge help if I’ve been scammed?

If somebody scammed you on Hinge, you should report the incident on the app, which can help them remove the scammer from the platform. However, Hinge won’t be able to help you recover lost funds.

Can you block people on Hinge?

Yes, you can block people on Hinge. To do so, go to the person’s profile, tap the three dots, and select “Remove.”