{"id":169800,"date":"2021-11-15T22:33:58","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T22:33:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.360prwire.com\/?p=733273"},"modified":"2021-11-15T22:33:58","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T22:33:58","slug":"8-signs-youre-being-catfished-online-how-to-protect-yourself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipsnews.net\/business\/2021\/11\/15\/8-signs-youre-being-catfished-online-how-to-protect-yourself\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Signs You’re Being Catfished Online & How to Protect Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

The term catfish seems to be growing in popularity, especially with the increase in online interactions. Thousands fall victim to their ploy every year, with many just wanting to form meaningful relationships online. A catfish will often imitate or pretend to be someone else in the hopes of financial or status gains. In simple terms, the person you\u2019re talking to isn\u2019t who they claim to be.
\nNo one wants to believe they\u2019d fall victim to a catfish, but decoding people online isn\u2019t always the most straightforward task. There are a few red flags to watch out for online, especially if you think you\u2019re being catfished. Here are eight signs you\u2019re being catfished and how to protect yourself against them.
\nThey\u2019re Ridiculously Attractive<\/strong>
\nOne of the most vital points of a relationship is physical attraction. It\u2019s a selling point, and those catfishing understand that building a dynamic with someone is easier when there\u2019s physical attraction. Pay attention to anyone who seems to consistently shares model-quality photos. When in doubt, use a reverse image search to see if the images exist anywhere else online. Drag the photographs you\u2019ve been sent to the Google search bar and see where the photos have been shared. If there are multiple results, including stock photos, consider it a serious red flag.
\nEvery Photo Seems Staged<\/strong>
\nPay attention to the photos you receive from your contact. If you\u2019re receiving perfectly staged photos every time you interact, there\u2019s a good chance they\u2019re not current or authentic. Candid shots aren\u2019t posed or planned; they\u2019re simply a moment in time. If they\u2019re perfectly timed, flawless, and blemish-free, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019re talking to a catfish. This is particularly true if the profile never sends selfies or raw (unfiltered) photos.
\nCalls Always Go to Voicemail<\/strong>
\nWhile you\u2019re not likely to jump on a call in the early stages, it\u2019s not uncommon to have a few phone calls as a relationship progresses through time. If someone is actively avoiding your calls, despite sharing photos and videos, they\u2019re potentially trying to hide who they are. Pay attention to how the individual wants to communicate; do they consistently send photographs? Have they sent videos or clips? Are you the only one sending multimedia? If exchanges don\u2019t seem to be mutual, consider it a significant warning sign.
\nSocial Media Connections are Rare<\/strong>
\nWith billions of social media profiles registered worldwide, there\u2019s a good chance the person you\u2019re talking to has a few accounts. If you\u2019re chatting with someone online and they won\u2019t accept your social media requests, proceed with caution. They may be hiding their identity, connections, or contacts \u2013especially if they have no intention of meeting you. Consider ordering a background check<\/a> whenever you\u2019re talking to someone you\u2019d like to form a relationship with. These checks can confirm the person you\u2019re talking to is genuine.
\nTheir Details Seem Vague or Hyper Detailed<\/strong>
\nIt seems like you never get a straight answer out of them, or they\u2019ve accounted for virtually every minute of their day. A catfish has multiple relationships on the go at various times, especially if they\u2019re after financial gain. As such, it can often be difficult to remember specific details or events during conversations. If the person you\u2019re chatting with seems to change their story randomly (or if they have every detail recorded), there\u2019s probably not a genuine connection. Take note of any discrepancies, especially relating to family, friends, or significant events.
\nThey Always Have an Excuse for Bailing<\/strong>
\nThe goal for online relationships is eventually meeting in person (even in long-distance relationships). A catfish will find any dramatic reason to avoid meeting in person, trying to elicit an emotional response. These can include health, transportation, or financial hardships<\/a>, with a focus on cost and victimization. If you\u2019re constantly unable to meet because of a continuous string of bad fortune, reconsider the relationship.
\nThey Ask You for Money<\/strong>
\nEventually, a catfish will test the water, often by asking for help with bills or expenses. The amount is often significant (ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars) but will impact your emotional attachment<\/a> or interests. These can include traveling costs, emergencies, car repairs, or employment issues. A catfish will often ask for money before meeting you, which can be a huge sign they\u2019re using you. While it may seem cruel, never give money to anyone you meet online, without meeting them first. If they make you feel bad for refusing to send cash, end the relationship immediately.
\nYour Gut Tells You Something is Off<\/strong>
\nMaybe there\u2019s the occasional story that\u2019s raised some questions, or perhaps there\u2019s something you can\u2019t identify. Whatever the reason, it\u2019s essential to trust your gut when something doesn\u2019t seem right. Intuition can pick up on several subtleties throughout the relationship: from staged photos to bizarre disappearances. Although our emotions may run high during a catfish relationship, our gut isn\u2019t easily persuaded. If the connection is causing you anxiety in the relationship<\/a>, end the interactions and move on.<\/p>\n

The post 8 Signs You\u2019re Being Catfished Online & How to Protect Yourself<\/a> appeared first on 360PRWire<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The term catfish seems to be growing in popularity, especially with the increase in online interactions. Thousands fall victim to their ploy every year, with many just wanting to form meaningful relationships online. A catfish will often imitate or pretend to be someone else in the hopes of financial or status gains. In simple terms, …<\/p>\n

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The post 8 Signs You’re Being Catfished Online & How to Protect Yourself<\/a> appeared first on 360PRWire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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