10 tips to recognize a Catfish

10 Tips to recognize a Catfish

If you follow me you know I've been on these dating sites for a while now. I've been catfished more times than I can count and I now can spot one a mile away.

Here are my tips for you to not have to go through what I've learned along the way.

1 The relationship progresses quickly.

Most catfishing stories you read will reveal just how strong and quickly a person will come-on to you. If within the first few exchanges the person seems to be pushing the relationship forward at a rapid pace without having even met you, you are most likely being catfished.

2. They only have one picture.

This means they most likely stole this picture from someone else.

3. They never want to show their face.

If they seem serious, but strictly want to keep to written communication or phone calls or, they always have some excuse to never meet in person, or video chat, definitely a red flag! 

4 Check their Social media.

If they don't have much on there or only have lots of women friends, they might be a catfish.

5. They ask for money.

Hello! Big RED flag. How is someone you never even met going to ask you for money. Don't they have friends or family? Why are they asking you? If someone online has romanced you and then asked for money, take this as a major red flag.

Never give money to a stranger no matter how many texts or times he calls you beautiful! Don't fall victim and never give out your bank account information!!!

6. They seem too good to be true.

You know the old adage: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Does every picture look modeled and flawless? Are their interests broad enough to match with almost anybody? Take these as warning signs and proceed with caution.

7. Their “job” sends them around the world.

If he says he's working overseas I tell them "Well call me when you're back in town" I have no time to waste talking to someone for weeks or months and never meeting. Now not everyone who travels for a living is a con artist, but again listen to your gut, if it's telling you something is not right, it's not.

 

8.Proper grammar is lacking.

If they claim to be from an English-speaking country but their grammar is way off...hello red flag. If they use little i, if they say by name my name is..

You need to be a detective and search out these things.

If they say they are from the city you are from, start asking questions about places you know, if they actually live there, they will know the answers.

9.They have elaborate stories.

Whether they are trying to gain your pity or your money, catfishers know how to pull on emotional heartstrings. Tales of childhood trauma, the old stories of being a widow or raising a child alone, a serviceman or working overseas. These are all red flags, now yes, there are men out that are in this situation but if they are real they will FaceTime with you or meet up with you. 

10. They won't send you a picture of them besides the website one.

I ask them, especially when I am trusting my gut to send me a picture of themselves holding my name on a piece of paper and then I will do the same. If they are catfish they will have no way of doing this (Well I guess they can photoshop it) but if you're still feeling off ask them to video chat afterwards. Either one of these things will make a catfish quickly jump back into their nasty pond they came from.

So today my friends remember, to always listen to your gut, your intuition will never steer you wrong. If you see the red flags, stop pretending that you're at a carnival, you're not but you are walking into someone's circus and you will be left being played by the clown.

"Be the change you want to see"

@TreadmillTreats