What is Catfishing?
Catfishing is when a person sets up a false profile on a social networking or dating website for abuse, deception, or fraud. Catfishing is often employed for romance scams on dating websites.
Why do people catfish?
Generally speaking the goal of catfishing is financial or material, however catfishing techniques could be employed to gain privileged access to, or information from, a business.
Catfishing and online dating statistics
ESET conducted research seeking to uncover the cybersecurity habits of 2,000 people across the UK regarding online dating and being safe online.
- 55% of over 55s worry more about their cybersecurity than 16 to 24-year-olds
- 52% say loneliness around Valentine’s Day makes them vulnerable to catfishers
- 41% of consumers believe that they face more catfish cybersecurity risks when online dating around Valentine’s Day
- 29% of respondents said they carried out basic background searches on the people they talk to on dating sites - whether this is searching on Facebook, Google, Twitter, or other platforms
- The number drops dramatically in older age ranges, as less than one in five (18%) of over-55s say that they carry out background searches, making them more likely to be catfished
- This is regardless of the fact that 69% of respondents say they are concerned about their online security
- 13% admit that using online dating sites or apps makes them more vulnerable
How can you spot a catfish?
The sheer number of profiles found on dating sites, combined with the speed at which online relationships can develop, provides an ideal breeding ground for catfish - people who pretend to be someone they’re not in order to scam and exploit those looking for love. The consequences of this can be extreme, as scammers may steal their victims’ identities, lure them into dangerous situations, or defraud them of thousands of pounds.
Yet, very few people know what to do to help minimise the risks of online dating. While some catfish scams are very sophisticated, you often don’t need to be an expert to recognise them. This can be as quick and easy as searching the name of the individual on another social media site or search engine, or refusing to exchange sensitive personal information over the internet.
If someone you’ve never met in person asks you for money, alarm bells should start ringing immediately. Catfish are excellent storytellers and can tell a very convincing tale about why they need the money. They will remain focused on your emotions, so it is vital to stay detached when money is at stake. It might be a small request at first- like the cost of a train ticket to come and see you- but typically, once they know you’re willing to give them cash, the frequency and amount will rise. Never send money to anyone you haven’t met and if they are genuine, they will understand.
How can I prevent being catfished?
While catfishes can be subtle and sophisticated, there are ways to avoid being catfished by staying secure online. The key thing to remember is to verify the identity of anyone you come into contact with online. You can do this by asking to chat via video call and carrying out a reverse image search of their online images.
Catfish cybersecurity is vital and it is important to be cautious when sharing your sensitive data with others online, this includes your address, passwords and credit card details. We would also advise against sending money to anyone that you haven’t met in person. Remember to trust your instincts and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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