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We have all heard the horror stories about people who were just trying to meet someone online, but found themselves in a very complicated situation. They were under the impression that they were talking to someone who was their significant other. But they were being catfished into having a completely wrong opinion about the person in question.
Being catfished is not something recent – but the internet makes it so much easier for those people to impersonate someone else. Here are a few tips that will help you from getting catfished.
- Be Suspicious
The first tip we can give you on how to avoid being catfished is to remain suspicious. If someone sounds too good, or the things they are saying are too perfect, then you may want to consider that something else is going on. The person who you are talking to may have some other type of agenda, or they may not be who you are thinking.
- Do Not Give Away Your Information Easily
If you are talking to someone who you have never met in person, then you should be very wary about giving away personal information. It is one thing to give someone your cell phone number. But any other information is pushing it. You should most definitely never give out details such as your credit card, social security number, driver’s license or details about any other vital documents. The information could be used against you by the person who is pretending to be your significant other or close friend.
- Use Quality Dating Sites
There is a reason people pay money to join reputable dating sites. And there are even sites that you can use for free where people are asked to verify the information they are posting. If you want to avoid being catfished, using a reputable site will help a lot. But that does not mean you are immune.
- Ask for a Face to Face Conversation
The best way to figure out whether you are talking to the “real deal” is by looking that person in the eye. While meeting in person is the best solution, you should at least use Skype or video chat conversations. Video chatting with someone is real time. They cannot hide behind any masks or fake personas. You will see everything, and they will see you. This is a great option if you are worried about the true identity of the person you have been talking to for the past few months.
- Say No to Giving Anyone Money
You should never give anyone money online, especially if you do not know who they are. You may think that you know a person if you spent the past few weeks talking to them. But for all you know, that person is only talking to you for money.
You have to keep yourself protected, and that means avoiding any financial transactions with people you only interact with online. It is the best way to ensure your finances are protected.
