Attorney Explains: How To Avoid and Stop Tinder and Grindr Extortion and Blackmail Scams
Tinder is one of the most popular dating websites worldwide, with over 75 million active users on a monthly basis. A similar thing can be said about Grindr, with around 14.6 million active users as well. And while finding love can be possible on these platforms, it’s also a place where you can get scammed very easily. That’s why you need to figure out how to stop blackmail or extortion on Grindr/Tinder, and what signs to look out for.
What kind of scams take place on Grindr or Tinder?
Dating website users tend to be some of the easiest people to scam, and that’s because scammers appeal to emotions. When someone tries to find love or they suffered any trauma in previous relationships, they are more prone to trust someone new. However, that’s the thing that scammers focus on the most. And it’s the main reason why you need to be wary of any attackers.
Common Tinder/Grindr scams include:
· The scammer will create bot profiles and they don’t upload any videos. Instead, they will use random, attractive female/male images stolen from online sources, pretending to be those persons. It’s called a catfish scam, and usually, the main focus is to extort you of money.
· Some scammers will spend time trying to get close to you. And then, they will ask you for personal videos or information. Then, they use that to blackmail you. Learning how to get rid of blackmail or how to protect yourself from it becomes something of the utmost priority.
· There are also two-factor authentication scams. Some scammers will try to send you fake messages requiring you to send the 2FA code in an effort to access your account. That usually means they want to steal your identity or access any credit card info you saved.
· Sugaring scams also exist on Grindr and Tinder. The idea here is that they will try to pretend they are looking for a sugar baby. Usually, the next step involves sending you a large check that bounces, and then they request you to send a smaller part of that money back. The check bounces, and you end up paying from your own pocket. Of course, that scammer will be long gone and inaccessible by the time you figure it out.
How do you know you might be dealing with a Tinder or Grindr scam?
The most important thing to note before you learn how to stop Grindr blackmail is to stay safe online. Understanding what signs to look out for and how most attackers will try to gain access to your info is very important. Plus, there are certain signs to keep in mind when it comes to Grindr or Tinder scams.
· The images you receive from the Grindr or Tinder user are heavily photoshopped.
· That person doesn’t show their face, nor do they talk with you via video.
· You receive QR codes or requests to send them money
· Any of the info shared about their personal life is very inconsistent, and it changes all the time
· They are asking for nudes or illicit images/info about you
· They are constantly sending random links that you need to access
· Messages from the Grindr user are very confusing, and they feel random
· They don’t share any photos with friends or family
· You suddenly end up with any in-person meet-up plans being canceled
If you encounter any of these signs or anything similar, then something might be up. A lot of these scammers end up being problematic and they do want to access your personal info. If that’s the case, the best thing you can do is to narrow down any of these signs, and understand any potential scams or issues that could arise.
Getting rid of Grindr or Tinder blackmail
Don’t share any personal info
When it comes to dealing with any Grindr or Tinder date, you should always take the cautious route. Meet in person first before you go into any details. That way, you get to avoid scammers who are photoshopping images just to make you fall in love with a fictitious person. And yes, you always want to avoid sharing personal information.
Meet in a public place
You always want to meet in a public place if you can. That will make it easier to avoid any attackers or dangerous people. When you meet in a public location, it will be much easier to deal with any problems or challenges that arise.
Avoid clicking random links
One of the best ways to learn how to stop Tinder blackmail is to avoid any dangerous links. Those can install malware on your device and offer access to personal data for various third-party individuals. Never click on random links, instead focus on staying as safe as you can, and it will be much easier to prevent any problems.
Learn how to protect yourself when using Grindr or Tinder
Both of these websites have great resources to help you prevent scammers from accessing your info. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to take screenshots of all your interactions, report them to Grindr/Tinder, and block all those profiles. Contacting legal counsel is also a very good idea.
And, in case they have access to your accounts, implement a credit freeze and block any cards you know they can access. Reporting any instances of fraud to the bank also helps, and the bank will help recover as much money as possible. You also need to replace those cards as well.
Conclusion
It’s easier for single people looking for a partner to trust someone when using Grindr, Tinder, or similar websites. However, we have to realize that these sites can have a variety of scammers, and knowing how to protect from blackmail is of the utmost priority. There are a variety of things like sextortion to impersonators and so on. You should always trust your gut, and if something feels too good to be true, that’s most likely the case.
Our team at The Anti Extortion Law Firm is here to help with guidance, support, and assistance as quickly as possible. We know how difficult it can be to deal with dating site extortion or blackmail, and we are always here to offer the help you need!
