Worried that someone you’ve met online might not be who they say they are? This free checker lists the warning signs most often seen in romance scams. Tick anything that applies to the person you’re talking to, and it will explain what those signs can mean and what to do next. It takes about two minutes, and nothing you tick is saved or sent anywhere.
General information, not legal or financial advice
This guide explains how things generally work in the UK so you know what to ask. It is not advice about your situation, and Hearts Again is not a law firm, financial adviser or healthcare provider. Rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and can change. Before you make any decision, speak to a qualified professional:
- your bank straight away (call 159 to reach most UK banks), Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland on 101
How the checker works
The checker is based on the warning signs that UK banks, the police and fraud-prevention organisations describe again and again in romance scams. We’ve grouped them into four areas: money and requests, meeting and video calls, how the relationship is moving, and the person’s profile and story.
Some signs are treated as serious on their own. These include being asked for money, gift cards or cryptocurrency, being encouraged to invest, being asked to receive or pass on money, being asked for bank details or to install an app, and being threatened with intimate images. Other signs, such as avoiding video calls or moving the conversation off the dating app quickly, can have innocent explanations, so the checker looks at how many of them you’ve ticked.
It doesn’t give you a percentage or a score, and it can’t tell you for certain whether someone is a scammer. What it can do is help you see the pattern, explain why each sign matters, and point you to the right help.
If you think it’s a scam
- Stop sending money or sharing personal details, whatever you’re told.
- Call your bank on 159 if you’ve sent money or shared bank details. The sooner you act, the better the chance of stopping or recovering payments.
- Report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland on 101. In an emergency, call 999.
- Keep evidence: screenshots of the profile, messages and payment records.
- Report the profile to the dating app or site.
- Talk to someone you trust. Many people feel embarrassed, but romance scammers are skilled criminals and it’s never your fault.
Our step-by-step guide explains what to do if you’ve been scammed, including the rules on bank reimbursement for transfers.
Common romance scam patterns
Most romance scams follow a familiar pattern. Someone attractive and attentive gets in touch, moves the conversation to WhatsApp or text, builds trust with intense affection, and avoids meeting or video calling. Then a crisis, investment opportunity or fee appears, and they need your help.
Our guides explain the common scripts in detail:
- Romance scam messages: the scripts scammers use
- How to spot a romance scam on WhatsApp
- Military romance scams: how to spot a fake soldier
- How to spot a fake dating profile
- Dating app scams targeting over-50s in the UK
- Sexual photos and messages when dating online
Your privacy
The checker runs entirely in your web browser. We don’t store, see or send your answers. If you’ve agreed to analytics cookies, we record only that the checker was completed and the broad result level, so we can tell whether the tool is useful. Our privacy policy explains more.
Frequently asked questions
Can this checker tell me if someone is a scammer?
No. It can only help you see which common warning signs apply. A result with no warning signs doesn’t mean someone is safe, and a result with several doesn’t prove they’re a scammer. If you’re worried, speak to your bank or Report Fraud.
What’s the single biggest warning sign?
Being asked for money, gift cards or cryptocurrency by someone you haven’t met in person. Genuine people don’t ask for this.
I’ve already sent money. What should I do?
Call your bank on 159 straight away, then report it to Report Fraud or Police Scotland. Our guide on what to do if you’ve been scammed covers the next steps.
Someone is threatening to share intimate images of me. What should I do?
Don’t pay and stop replying. Keep evidence, report it to the police, and contact the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0345 6000 459.
Is the checker only for online dating?
It’s designed for people who’ve met someone through a dating site, app or social media, but many of the same warning signs apply to other kinds of scams.