Catfishing: Five Ways to Protect Yourself Online

(Photo courtesy of Tero Vesalainen via iStock)

As digital communication grows, so does the risk of catfishing.

In today’s digital world, meeting people online has become easier than ever through social media, dating apps and messaging platforms. Alongside this convenience lies the possibility of a serious risk to mental and emotional well-being—and sometimes it’s even dangerous to your physical health.

Catfishing is when someone creates a fake identity online, often for emotional manipulation, financial gain, or malicious purposes. The term originated from the 2010 documentary “Catfish,” which follows Nev Schulman as he begins an online relationship with a teenager named Megan, later revealed to be an older woman. Schulman later became the creator and host of the popular MTV series Catfish: The TV Show, which investigates similar cases of online deception.

Catfishing is more common than many realize. In a 2022 survey, about nine percent of Americans reported having been victims of catfishing, which is roughly one in every eleven people. During this time, around 70,000 Americans reported a romance scam and lost about $1.3 billion, with the greatest amounts paid in cryptocurrency. 

Catfishing victims often believe they are forming a genuine connection, only to later discover they were misled by a false identity. 

While catfishing can be hurtful and damaging, there are ways to protect yourself. Here are five tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of catfishing:

1. Verify Their Photos

Danny O’Sullivan, expert at Centric Mental Health, said one of the quickest ways to catch a catfish is by checking if their photos appear on other platforms online. By checking other platforms and social media accounts, you can confirm they are real if the pictures appear on multiple sites under the same name. Stolen or stock photos are a major indicator of a catfish.

2. Video Chat Early

A genuine person will usually have no problem going on a quick video call. Suggesting a video chat early on is another confirmation of whether the person is who they say they are, according to the Cyber Management Alliance. If they constantly make excuses to avoid video chatting, it’s a huge indicator of being a catfish. 

3. Look for Consistency and Notice Communication Patterns 

The Cyber Management Alliance also mentions the importance of paying close attention to the details that they share about their background, life and job. If you notice any changes in basic details or their stories don’t line up, this should raise concerns. Consistency often points to authenticity, while constant changes can indicate dishonesty. 

4. Avoid Sending Money

A key indicator of identifying a catfish is that they often present emergencies to exploit your sympathy. No matter how convincing they sound, you should never send money to anyone without verifying their identity. 

5. Protect Your Information

Centric Mental Health recommends building trust gradually and withholding sensitive information until the person’s identity is verified. You should never overshare personal information or details such as your home address, workplace, or financial information without verifying the other person’s identity. Catfishers often try to gather your information to manipulate or scam you. Withholding your personal details is one of the best ways to stay safe.