I just jumped back into the dating pool and have been giving the online dating apps a fair go. I have made a possible connection. She seems great and we seem to have a lot in common. Despite this there seems to be a few inconsistencies that have me seeing red flags. I am actually wondering if I might be getting catfished. How can I be sure?
—Sincerely,
On the Hook
Dear Hook:
Ah the oft feared catfishing! Dating, online or not, is fraught with obstacles. Catfishing can be difficult to recognize sometimes. That’s why it works so well. This is where a little detective work comes in. Right off the bat, you should do a reverse image search of the photos you receive. This can be a quick way to weed out accounts that may be catfishing or trying to scam you. If something that this potential new love communicated seems sus, then ask some follow up and clarifying questions. Our intuition is very important and sometimes it can get mixed up with our own nervousness or insecurities. That’s why it’s important to ask clarifying questions, but also not to be overly suspicious just because you are feeling vulnerable or pessimistic. Fact check things when you can. There is nothing wrong with a little Google sleuthing, especially if something feels “off.” Once you get to the point of meeting in real life, usually catfishers won’t take the bait and will swim back to their muddy hidey holes. Don’t fret too much if your intuition was correct. Just move on and try again! Best of luck in these choppy dating waters!
