Dating App Scams Targeting Over-50s in the UK
Romance scams target people dating later in life. How dating app and WhatsApp scams work in the UK, the red flags, how to check someone is real and exactly what to do if you are worried.
Staying safe
Safety & scams
How to spot romance scams, protect your privacy, meet safely and get help if something goes wrong.
Start here: Dating App Scams Targeting Over-50s in the UK18 guides
Topic: Safety & scams
How to spot romance scams, protect your privacy, meet safely and get help if something goes wrong.
Dating apps and privacy: what they know and how to protect yourself
What dating apps collect, settings to check, how to stay private from scammers and people you know, and how to delete your profile and data properly.
Dating safety for men over 50
Romance scams aimed at men, sextortion, investment scams, meeting safely and where to get help: dating safety for men over 50.
Controlling behaviour and coercive control in later-life relationships
What controlling behaviour and coercive control look like in a new relationship later in life, what the law says across the UK, and where to get confidential help.
Red flags in a new relationship after 50
Warning signs in a new relationship after 50, from early messages to controlling and financial red flags, how to tell them from minor concerns, and where to get help.
Romance scam cover stories: oil rigs, doctors, gift cards and more
The cover stories romance scammers use, from oil rig engineers to overseas doctors, why they work, gift card and payment red flags, and what to do.
How to verify your profile on dating apps
How dating app verification works on Tinder, Hinge and Bumble, how to verify your profile, what a verified badge does and doesn’t prove, privacy, and what to do if verification fails.
Crypto romance scams (“pig butchering”) explained
How crypto and investment romance scams work step by step, the scripts used, red flags, how to check a trading platform, UK reimbursement rules and where to report and get support.
Sexual photos and messages when dating online
Sexual photos and messages when dating online after 50: the risks, saying no, cyberflashing and the law, sextortion, and where to get help if images are shared or threatened.
How to Spot a Fake Dating Profile
How to spot a fake dating profile: the warning signs in photos, bios and messages, AI-generated images, simple checks like reverse image searches and video calls, and what to do if you find one.
Should You Video Call Before Meeting Someone From a Dating App?
Why a short video call before a first date is worth it after 50, when to suggest one, how to do it safely and privately, what to look out for and what it means if someone refuses.
First Date Safety After 50: A Complete Checklist
A complete first date safety checklist for people over 50: checks before you meet, choosing a venue, on the day, leaving early, afterwards, and the warning signs to watch for.
Military Romance Scams: How to Spot a Fake Soldier
How military romance scams work, the stories fake soldiers use, what genuine service personnel never need money for, how to check, and what to do if you have been targeted.
How to Spot a Married Man on a Dating App
Worried the man you are dating might be married? The warning signs, what “separated” really means, how to check and ask directly, and what to do if you find out.
I’ve Been Scammed on a Dating Site: What to Do Now
Victim of a romance scam? What to do now, step by step: stop payments, call 159, report it, claim reimbursement under UK rules, avoid recovery scams and get support.
Romance Scam Messages: The Scripts Scammers Use (With Examples)
Romance scammers follow scripts. The typical messages at each stage, from the first compliment to the request for money, with example wording so you can recognise them.
Should You Give Your Phone Number Before a First Date?
Should you share your phone number with someone from a dating app before you meet? When it is sensible, safer alternatives, and what to do if someone pushes for it too soon.
How to Spot a Romance Scam on WhatsApp
Many romance scams move from dating apps to WhatsApp. The warning signs to look for, the privacy settings that protect you, and what to do if you think the person you are talking to is a scammer.