| Dating Scams on the Rise with Online Dating | | | | for a serious relationship, industry observers |
| Activity | | | | emphasize getting a background check early, since |
| | | | many consumers contact private investigators |
| Dating websites are growing and there are now | | | | after the damage is done, and the fraud or scam |
| hundreds of internet match-making and dating | | | | complete. |
| websites to choose from. In addition to popular | | | | Most people on social networking websites and |
| sites like eHarmony and Match.com, millions | | | | dating sites are honest and seeking real |
| worldwide are now connected to social | | | | relationships. Criminals have taken advantage of |
| networking websites like Facebook. Investigators | | | | this situation, and most dating websites don't |
| warn that indviduals met online should be verified | | | | provide any verification process for their |
| to minimize the risk for scams and fraud. | | | | subscribers. Hence, many scammers are now |
| Several international background check services | | | | targeting such websites and targeting consumers |
| are available and advised for new relationships | | | | online. The criminals pose as the perfect match |
| begun on the internet, especially when the | | | | and work to gain the victim's trust, and later their |
| individual involved is not known personally. Without | | | | money or personal information. Scammers are |
| the tools and expertise of a professional | | | | now using sophisticated techniques and |
| investigator or background check firm, it can be | | | | distinguising the good from the bad can be difficult. |
| very difficult to know if someone is who he or | | | | Red flags include working internationally, a sudden |
| she claims to be, especially when that person lives | | | | emergency, accident or illness, requests for |
| in a foreign country. Investigators have reported | | | | money or loans, etc. Private investigators warn |
| growing demand for background checks as the | | | | however that the romance scam and fraud |
| risk for fraud and dating scams increase, and as | | | | combinations are endless. Online dating is a |
| more people connect via the internet. | | | | risk-reward game, and the risk is rising... |
| A dating background check is simply a background | | | | background checks advised. |
| check or verification process which involves a | | | | All the Best, |
| subject who was met over the Internet, and | | | | S. Birch |
| where the relationship is romantic in nature. If a | | | | © 2010 S. |
| relationship is progressing and there is a chance | | | | |