This is for the new folks to Internet dating, who have not yet received enough of these 'scripts' to recognize them immediately and take appropriate action.
How To Recognize A Scammer Message
I received yet another one of these just today, and decided to copy and paste it here as an example of what they look like.
As you read the following message, pay attention to the obvious clues, especially how it is so very vague that it can be used over and over, to message any woman on any dating site, without making any changes to the script. MEN: I am sure you've seen similar scripts written specifically to men, but since I am female, this is what I received.
"Hello Pretty,
How're you doing out there? i really
hope you're cool, actually i'm a new member of this
site and i find your profile quite impressive i'm
here to make friends or something more, and i think
you're cool with your profile when i saw you on here,
i'm a widower with a lonely heart, and you're
probably the first person i'm mailing on this site
cause i find your profile quite impressive and
interesting. You'll make a smile out of me if you can
find a spare time to mail or text me 626 656 3472
back............Best of luck and good wishes........."
Notice how the script is just flattering enough without including any specific details from your profie to indicate that it's an authentic site user writing to you. Because, ultimately, it's NOT an authentic user writing to you. It's someone trying to profit from collecting your personally-identifiable contact information for sale to advertisers or to those who sell email or phone contact info to advertisers (list sellers).
Of course, that is only one method they use to profit from messaging you. The other method is conning you directly out of your hard-earned money by chatting with you for a while, then giving you a sad-sack story of their "critial need" for emergency funds. They will request you wire money to them, or send them a personal check; and make all manner of promises to pay you back. But, regardless of how heartbreaking the story, do NOT fall for it! You will not see your money ever again.
So, if anyone sends you a message similar to this, remember this example and the clues I've provided here, and do not fall for it. If you have the need to chat with them, insist they use CDFF's messaging application! That is your protection from sending a stranger your private contact information--and also from letting them scam you out of your money.
Be safe, everyone! Godly blessings to all my brothers and sisters on CDFF!
Often they use the line that they don't check the site often so they want to go straight to yahoo or Skype or other method other than using the secure site. I figure if they can't figure out how to use this site, they are not intelligent enough for me to exchange more information.
If they don't use the line in the first couple messages, usually the exchange of messages remain generic...they want to know more about you but never ask any questions and never answer the ones you asked
Any veteran can seek help through a number of veteran services so no need to send them money. Anyone else, refer them to a local church for help! You can refer the veterans there, too.
If they sound too good to be true, they are!
God bless your search...and give you discernment through out the process.
Thanks, CatForChrist! Also, one has to be wary of anyone asking for your email. I seem to be getting responses from only guys who want to keep in touch outside of this site. What I want to know is, if they have good intentions, what do they have to hide, that they can't communicate with their new match on a public site? May God bless you and may you be found by His match for you soon!
I always run a check on their phone number they insist on giving you right off the bat. I have been finding that they are using a VoIP phone. What gives? I'm a veteran of dating sites and the first thing I check is where they say they live and where the phone number is from.
I have received messages from 2 guys in the last few days where their pics in no way match their description. LOL! Now I have one who has a military pic with the last name showing on his uniform and I'm pretty sure it's not the man who messaged me.
The reason why they want us to communicate with them off-site is CDFF administrators are able to monitor what is said in the back and forth emails--and certain words are clues to indicate scamming.
Scammers know this, and don't wish to be detected, for their accounts will be deleted and they will be banned from the site. They want to be free to manipulate us and then provide a sob story to extort money from us.
CDFF also has rules about the use of certain language (crude sexual content and foul language) and will ban those who use such terms.
Unfortunately, not everyone who creates an account is Christian, and not all are looking for love. Hence the warnings.
I know God will bring you your one true love! Just recognize that man will never ask you for money, lie to you about who he is, nor use language that might 'offend' a Godly woman's sensibilities.
How about an information trade? You tell us how you can verify an individual's stated location on their profile, and I'll tell you how to verify an individual's profile pictures (below). What do ya say?
There are 'reverse image search' applications that can be added to your browser (search for them in your browser's "Add-Ons" section) that allow you to right click on an image and search for the image on the Internet (to see where it's been posted). The application will open a new tab or window with the results of the search. Often, you can find out that the image is really just a professional stock photo of some kind of model/actor/actress/celebrity.
Scammers don't use photos of themselves in the profiles they create. They will steal a photo of an innocent person off the Internet, misrepresenting who they are.
Choose (Firefox) "Add-Ons" from the Tools menu, then go to the "Get Add-Ons" page and search for "TinEye." The results page will provide several Add-On tools you can download, including Google Image Search. Or you can go to www.TinEye.com and follow instructioins there.
If you use the IE browser, you can go to Internet Explorer's Properties menu and open the 'Manage Add-Ons' located on one of the Property box's tabs, and search from there.
I think we would all appreciate knowing how to check someone's profile location. Thank you, in advance, for providing another tool to help defend against being scammed.
God bless you, sis; I know He will bring you the desires of your heart!
