8 Chapter 8: Staying Safe While Dating Online
Protect Your Heart, Your Privacy, and Your Wallet While Still Enjoying Connection
More seniors than ever are joining dating websites and apps to meet new people, enjoy companionship, or even find romance. But unfortunately, some scammers are now using AI (artificial intelligence) to make their lies sound and look more convincing.
This chapter helps you enjoy online dating but teaches you how to spot AI-powered scams so you can protect yourself.
How Scammers Use AI in Romance Scams
Scammers now use AI to:
- Write emotional messages that sound caring and personal (but are copied from a script)
- Create fake profiles and photos using “face generator” tools (no real person behind them)
- Clone voices to sound like someone real (just like in phone scams)
- Translate languages perfectly so they seem fluent and well-educated
Signs of an AI Romance Scam
| Red Flag | What It Might Be |
| “They look perfect” | Profile photo might be AI-generated (not a real person) |
| Very emotional messages | May be written using ChatGPT or other tools |
| Fast-moving feelings | AI tools help scammers run many scams at once — they rush you to act quickly |
| Inconsistent stories | AI can translate, but may still sound strange or too polished |
| Voice calls with odd pauses | Could be a voice clone or text-to-speech bot |
Tip: If it sounds too smooth or too perfect, be cautious and ask more questions.
Tools to Stay Safe — Some Powered by AI, too!
You can also use AI tools to protect yourself and check if someone is being honest:
| Tool | What It Does | Where to Use It |
| SocialCatfish.com | Reverse search photos and names (uses AI to find matches) | Great for spotting stolen or fake pictures |
| RomanceScamsNow.com | Education and support | Learn from real stories and expert advice |
| Google Reverse Image Search | Find where else a profile photo is used | Ask a friend to help you try it |
| ChatGPT or similar tools | Ask, “What are signs of a romance scam?” or “Can you help me spot red flags in this message?” Then copy the message into ChatGPT. | Helps you think through what’s real and what’s not |
AI-Savvy Dating Habits
- Keep conversations on the dating platform until you’re confident they’re real
- Ask for a video call early on. Scammers with fake photos or AI voices often avoid this
- If something feels “off,” ask a family member or even ChatGPT to help you think it through
- Never send money, gift cards, or personal info, no matter how sweet or urgent the story sounds
Hypothetical Scenario: “She Didn’t Fall for It — Thanks to AI”
Rita, 68, met “Daniel” on a popular dating site. He was kind, funny, and very well-spoken. Within two weeks, he said he loved her and that he needed money for emergency surgery overseas.
Before she acted, Rita asked ChatGPT: “What are signs that someone might be scamming me on a dating site?”
The response helped her pause. She tried a reverse image search and found “Daniel’s” photo on five other fake profiles. She blocked and reported him. She kept on dating, but smarter about how to detect a scammer.
Online Dating Safety Card
Online Dating Can Be Fun — And Safe!
Use this card as a quick guide to protect yourself while meeting new people online.
Red Flags to Watch For:
– They ask for money or gift cards
– They won’t video chat or make excuses
– They want to move to private chat quickly
– They say “I love you” very soon
– Their photo looks like a model or magazine cover
– Their story is dramatic or doesn’t add up
✅ Smart Safety Steps:
– Do a Reverse Image Search at images.google.com (or ask someone to help)
– Don’t send money, even for “emergencies”
– Talk to a family member or friend before getting emotionally involved
– Trust your gut — if something feels off, it probably is
– Save this card near your computer or phone as a reminder