Bumble Scams: How to Spot & Avoid Bumble Scams

Michelle Wilson - February 1, 2023

Unfortunately, anyone who has experience dating online will know of someone running into catfish, scammers, bots, and more. The dating world knows a few things about scams, including Bumble. Although scammers aren’t exclusive to Bumble or other dating apps, being scammed online is no longer the exception.

What is Bumble?

Bumble is a location-based dating application. The networking app launched in 2014. Similar to the popular Tinder network, users will browse through profiles. If you’re interested in a potential match, you’ll swipe right on the application; if you’re not interested, swipe left. When two users swipe right, the match forms and messages are enabled. Bumble has three modes: friendship, dating, and business networking.

Users interested in having their profile attract more local singles can pay the “spotlight” feature, which is available for a small fee. For 30 minutes after paying the fee, your profile will be one of the first to show on the application.

Benefits of the Bumble App

Users will typically trust Bumble because it connects through a Facebook account, offering dating recommendations through mutual friends and likes. Unfortunately, these connections can blind users to forget about the risks associated with online dating. Although Bumble tries to prevent fraudulent profiles, mainly using photo verification and other techniques, it doesn’t eliminate the threat.

Common Types of Scams on Bumble

Catfishing

Everyone secretly hopes for the classic love story when you’re in love, straight out of feature-length movies. Everyone expects the story of meeting the right person on Bumble, holding a connection, and taking the romance off the app. Eventually, you send packages, text messages, and call each other daily. You don’t just contemplate whether your feelings are real – you know they are, and this person is your best friend.

The longer you consider this online dynamic, the more attached you become, yet something always pops up when meeting your partner. They may use work or financial issues as an excuse. Unfortunately, there’s a chance the person you think you’ve developed feelings for is using a stolen profile, including false information. Catfishing happens when the other party tries to seduce and manipulate you. These individuals aren’t who they claim to be and often hold a very different life than the one projected on the platform.

How a Catfish Might Manipulate Victims

These individuals are masters of manipulation and fabricate a life that doesn’t match reality. They might live at home, remain unemployed, or have financial problems. Most catfish seek additional benefits from the relationship, most often as monetary compensation.

How to Recognize a Catfish Online

A catfish will often limit any contact showing the victim their genuine identity. This might include refusing video chats, doctoring videos, using altered photos, or bailing on plans to meet in person. Most often, dates will end up canceled with wild excuses as to why they can’t meet (including car trouble or accident, sickness, death in the family, or leaving the country).

Avoiding Catfish Online

One of the easiest ways to avoid a catfish is through research. Always search for someone’s name, images, email address, and phone number on a background check application to confirm the person you’re talking to. If you believe you’ve found a scam artist, report the match and user to Bumble, along with any additional information you might have about the fake account.

Bot Accounts

A bot will include automated response systems, carrying human-like interactions with text-style messaging. A bot will often reply to any message with emoticons or simple answers regardless of the time of day. These profiles redirect many of their victims to a paid platform or phishing website instead of trying to connect with people online. Despite the ability to interact with these profiles, the replies are often generic and scripted. Bots have a computerized messaging portal that includes code for specific keywords, which generates an appropriate response.

How to Recognize Bot Accounts

Unlike humans, which may force users to share their attention and affection, a bot account will always be there for you because they’re not human. It doesn’t matter what time of day or the content of your message; the bot will happily answer you. When figuring out whether an account is genuine or automatic, consider sending the profile a random message or a weird answer. For example, throw together an arbitrary string of words to see if the other account questions it or realizes if anything is amiss. If the profile continues the conversation like normal, chances are you’re dealing with a bot account.

Likewise, look for fast and generic replies. Finally, if the profile you’re chatting with continues to send you outside links, website sign-ups, downloads, or third-party chat platforms, they’re almost guaranteed to be a bot account.

Avoiding a Bot Account

If you’ve encountered a bot account, block the user, and report the account. Never click on outside links sent to you through any dating app, especially if you’ve recently matched. Finally, if something seems too good to be true, remember it probably is and move on.

Scam Artists on Bumble

A scam artist works quickly to get accounts off the Bumble platform, working to scam as many as possible. While the catfish profiles may deceive users for alternative reasons, a scam artist is likely trying to separate you from your cash. Scam artists are located around the world, with many situated overseas. They operate scams using an IP masking tool, trying to convince users to send gift cards, money transfers, online funds, and more.

Alternatively, a scammer may be a resident, convincing members of the opposite sex to cover their expenses (like dinners out or bill payments). A few scammers were recently charged with felonies for leaving multiple dates with the tab after an expensive evening out.

How to Identify a Scammer

Scammers will typically request cash, gifts, or monetary items from individuals they talk to. These requests could start on the Bumble platform or after making contact outside the dating application. Scammers will always have an elaborate excuse for why they need the funds (expensive medication, being stranded on holiday, requiring a business license, or the car being in the shop).

Avoiding a Scammer on Bumble

When interacting with someone on Bumble, always start by searching for their name online. Users can also perform a reverse image search or background check to confirm someone’s identity. Running these checks will let you know who you’re dealing with and whether you’re dealing with a malicious actor. If the user is still connected as a match on Bumble, report the fake account with as many details as possible.

Fake Profiles on Bumble

As online dating platforms continue to increase in popularity, the adult realm is capitalizing on free advertising. By creating fake profiles on Bumble, escorts, cam models, prostitutes, and porn platforms try to connect with users. The intent behind the contact is to spread awareness of their services or platform or increase the traffic someone receives on the website. An escort might use the website to lure individuals who haven’t found luck other ways.

Learning to Recognize a Fake Account

Often, fake accounts will mention their intention fairly quickly throughout conversations. These profiles will include a link to their website, cam show, or wanting cash. Occasionally, users will use emojis to communicate their intentions without saying the words directly.

How to Avoid Fake Profiles and Accounts

If someone forwards a website link or platform, immediately block the user from further contact. Ensure you report the profile to Bumble, especially if they’re soliciting adult content. Although Bumble may not remove every scammer or adult entertainer, the report will help remove profiles of anyone not wanting a genuine connection.

How to Identify a Fake Profile on Bumble

Although spotting a fake profile on Bumble isn’t always easy, there are a few different indicators to suggest a phony account. Here are a few things to look for when scanning someone’s account.

Assess the Profile Picture

If you’re looking through a profile and the picture seems too good to be true or comes across as a stock image, it could be a fake profile. If you need help determining whether the picture is used elsewhere, perform a reverse image search.

Message Content

A fake profile will often send generic messages or sentences that don’t make sense. These profiles may try to move conversations to other platforms like Google Hangouts or WhatsApp, especially early on.

Profile Details

A fake profile will typically offer minimal to no information in the app. Remain cautious of anyone with no information, rushed profiles, or generic information.

Location

When a profile states they’re from one location and the profile image or language indicates they’re likely from another area, it may indicate a fake profile.

No Connected Social Media Accounts

Real users often link social media accounts to their profiles, but scammers won’t attach anything extra. That’s because all accounts are fabricated and don’t have outside connections to the username.

Requests for Money or Personal Details

Legitimate Bumble accounts won’t ask you for money or extended personal information (for example, social security numbers). A genuine person also won’t request bank accounts or credit card numbers. If a match on the platform asks for these details, it’s a red flag.

Trust Your Gut Instinct

Always trust your instincts and remain vigilant when reviewing profiles or matches on the popular dating platform. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to spot a fake profile on the Bumble dating app, and professional scammers can go to great lengths to make an account appear legitimate. If you find a suspicious profile, consistently report it to Bumble and move on to the next match.

Protecting Your Privacy on Bumble

Use Secure Passwords Online

While Bumble is a popular dating app for millions, it can also pose potential issues in security if you’re unfamiliar with how to stay safe interacting with others. To get started with your account security, always make sure you use a strong and unique password when registering on the website. Use two-factor authentication for any dating app to increase profile security. Likewise, users can enable biometric login access to prevent unauthorized access.

Never Click Outside Links on Bumble

Avoid clicking on any links in the chat functionality when talking to individuals online. Never interact with unfamiliar websites, especially if they come from people you’ve just started talking to. Many times, hackers will try to lure victims away from Bumble to websites that allow easy harvesting of your data.

Subscribe to a Paid Platform

Paid functionality often includes additional security features, including disabling location tracking or hiding your account. These functions are beneficial when trying to limit your digital footprint online.

Access Dating Apps on Secure WiFi Networks

The more secure your connection, the less likely malicious actors will compromise your data. Whenever possible, only access your Bumble account through secure networks. Consider protecting your internet connection with a trustworthy VPN service for those wanting extra security. A VPN will add a layer of protection to your app’s encryption.

Never Share Your Personal Information

Although you’ll need to disclose personal information with matches online, limit the details in your account profile. Bumble offers employment and education information in their profile, which can help scammers access their details online. In fact, one study suggests that basic employment information and the first name of an account can match Facebook or LinkedIn profiles 60% of the time.

Create a Separate Email Address

Although connecting your dating profiles to your primary email address might seem harmless, they make tracing your personal information easier for malicious actors (especially with phishing attempts). It’s always better to create a new email account or alias when joining a platform online.

Choose Your Pictures Online Carefully

A lot of information is available through a few photographs, often without the user realizing it. For example, posting a photo in front of a school, business, restaurant, or landmark offers clues to your physical location. Likewise, connecting social media accounts will give access to your private photos or videos to total strangers online.

Always Meet Publicly

Always choose a neutral location that isn’t a common spot for you to visit. Although many people enjoy dates they frequent regularly, it’s important to censor the personal areas of your life until you’ve built trust in someone. Let a friend know where you’re going, when you’ll be there, and who you’re going with. Drive yourself to the date and arrange to have a friend check in throughout the evening. If you change locations, let your contact know as soon as possible.

Conclusion

While Bumble is a wonderful app for those wanting to fall in love, all users must remain safe and diligent online. Always remain cautious online and only share information with someone that you’d tell a total stranger. When possible, focus more on specific details about your interests, ambitions, hobbies, and preferences. Taking time to screen the potential matches you find on Bumble properly ensures your personal information remains secure without sacrificing love.

Remember, if someone seems too good to be true, there’s a chance they may not be precisely who you think they are. By following the above recommendations, ensure the person you’re building a connection with is genuine and authentic. Avoid giving personal details or identifying information to individuals you’ve met online especially financial accounts or credit card numbers. Report and block any profile that makes you suspicious. If anyone asks you for financial statements, block the profile and move on to the next match. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.