The Times Australia
Fisher and Paykel Appliances
The Times Lifestyle

.

5 Signs You're Being Catfished Online

  • Written by The Times


Online dating has grown in popularity, but it may also be dangerous. You never really know who you're talking to until you really meet them. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of this and establish bogus profiles in order to defraud others. If you're not careful, you might get catfished. Here are five indicators that you're being catfished on the internet.

What is Catfishing?

You meet someone online and start a relationship. All seems well, but there's something just not right about this person. They're always making excuses for why they can't meet in person or why they can't talk on the phone. You've probably been catfished. Catfishing is when someone creates a false identity online to gain your trust and then takes advantage of you. It can be difficult to tell if you're being catfished, but there are some warning signs to look out for.

The Online Persona Doesn't Match

It can be easy to form an impression of someone based on their online persona. However, it's important to remember that this persona may not be accurate. People can present themselves in any way they choose online, and they may not be truthful about who they really are. As a result, you shouldn't assume that you know someone based on their online presence alone. If you've only met someone online, or if you've only met them once in person, it's best to wait until you know them better before forming any opinions about them.

Unlimited Excuses

Forming a romantic connection with someone you've only ever met online can be difficult. You build up a picture of who they are in your head, and you might start to believe that you know them better than anyone else. However, there are always going to be limitations to a relationship that exists solely online. You can never be sure that the person you're talking to is who they say they are, and there's always the possibility that they're hiding something from you. If someone always has an excuse for why they can't meet up in person or why they can't video chat, it's likely that they're not being completely honest with you. It's important to remember that online relationships come with a certain amount of risk, and you shouldn't get too invested in someone until you're sure that they're being truthful with you.

Always Asking for Money

It's always frustrating when strangers ask for money, even though you've never even met in person. It's even more frustrating when they do it repeatedly, even after you've politely declined. There are a few things you can do to handle this situation effectively. First, simply say no and end the conversation. If they persist, be firm and remind them that you don't know them and you're not interested. You can also try telling them that you don't have any money on you or that you're not comfortable giving money to strangers. If they still won't take no for an answer, the best thing to do is walk away. Remember, you don't owe anyone anything and have the right to set boundaries as needed.

Pictures Seem too Good to Be True

It's always a red flag when someone's photos look too good to be true. Chances are, they either used a professional photographer or someone else's photos without permission. In either case, it's important to proceed with caution. If they're using someone else's photos, they may be trying to scam you. And even if the photos are real, it's possible that they're not an accurate representation of what the person looks like. So before you get too invested in someone you've met online, make sure you've seen plenty of recent, clear photos of them. Otherwise, you may be in for a nasty surprise.

Inconsistent Profile

When considering someone's profile, it is important to pay attention to any inconsistencies that may be present. For example, if they claim to be a doctor but their grammar and spelling are terrible, it is possible that they are not being truthful about their occupation. Additionally, their profile may be full of other inconsistencies, such as discrepancies in their age, location, or relationship status. While not all inconsistencies are cause for concern, they should be considered when trying to get to know someone online. After all, if someone is being dishonest about one thing, they may also be deceptive about other aspects of their life.

Conclusion

To protect oneself from being scammed, it is important to be aware of the red flags in online or sugar dating. If you are ever unsure about someone that you are speaking with online, please do not hesitate to reach out for help. The team at [company name] is more than happy to assist you in any way that we can. Thank you for reading this post, and be sure to stay safe while looking for love online!

Times Lifestyle

Why a Holiday or Short Break in the Noosa Region Is an Ideal Getaway

Few Australian destinations capture the imagination quite like Noosa. With its calm turquoise bays, elegant dining scene, thriving local markets, and an unbeatable combination of nature and luxury, the Noosa region has become one of the country’s...

Aiper Scuba X1 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review: Powerful Cleaning, Smart Design

If you’re anything like me, the dream is a pool that always looks swimmable without you having to haul out the pole and scoop up half the garden every second day. Enter the Aiper Scuba X1 — a sleek, modern robotic pool cleaner that handles the hard w...

Record-breaking prize home draw offers Aussies a shot at luxury living

With home ownership slipping out of reach for many Australians, a growing number are snapping up tickets in a bid to win their Dream Home, which promises luxury living for the price of a coffee. The Christmas Dream Home Art Union draw will see a...

Why Australia Is Ditching “Gym Hop Culture” — And Choosing Fitstop Instead

As Australians rethink what fitness actually means going into the new year, a clear shift is emerging: we’re moving away from the era of “gym hopping” — the endless cycle of trial passes, sporadic classes, and half-hearted memberships — and leaning i...

Everyday Radiance: Bevilles’ Timeless Take on Versatile Jewellery

There’s an undeniable magic in contrast — the way gold catches the light while silver cools it down, the way bold pieces play against delicate chains. Once considered a clash, mixing metals has become the signature of modern style: expressive, effort...

How can you help your child prepare to start high school next year?

Moving from primary to high school is one of the biggest transitions in a child’s education. For some, it can be a really daunting time, moving away from friends, travelling to a new place and starting very different routines. Preparations to ...

Times Magazine

Australia’s electric vehicle surge — EVs and hybrids hit record levels

Australians are increasingly embracing electric and hybrid cars, with 2025 shaping up as the str...

Tim Ayres on the AI rollout’s looming ‘bumps and glitches’

The federal government released its National AI Strategy[1] this week, confirming it has dropped...

Seven in Ten Australian Workers Say Employers Are Failing to Prepare Them for AI Future

As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates across industries, a growing number of Australian work...

Mapping for Trucks: More Than Directions, It’s Optimisation

Daniel Antonello, General Manager Oceania, HERE Technologies At the end of June this year, Hampden ...

Can bigger-is-better ‘scaling laws’ keep AI improving forever? History says we can’t be too sure

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman – perhaps the most prominent face of the artificial intellig...

A backlash against AI imagery in ads may have begun as brands promote ‘human-made’

In a wave of new ads, brands like Heineken, Polaroid and Cadbury have started hating on artifici...

The Times Features

Last-Minute Christmas Holiday Ideas for Sydney Families

Perfect escapes you can still book — without blowing the budget or travelling too far Christmas...

98 Lygon St Melbourne’s New Mediterranean Hideaway

Brunswick East has just picked up a serious summer upgrade. Neighbourhood favourite 98 Lygon St B...

How Australians can stay healthier for longer

Australians face a decade of poor health unless they close the gap between living longer and sta...

The Origin of Human Life — Is Intelligent Design Worth Taking Seriously?

For more than a century, the debate about how human life began has been framed as a binary: evol...

The way Australia produces food is unique. Our updated dietary guidelines have to recognise this

You might know Australia’s dietary guidelines[1] from the famous infographics[2] showing the typ...

Why a Holiday or Short Break in the Noosa Region Is an Ideal Getaway

Few Australian destinations capture the imagination quite like Noosa. With its calm turquoise ba...

How Dynamic Pricing in Accommodation — From Caravan Parks to Hotels — Affects Holiday Affordability

Dynamic pricing has quietly become one of the most influential forces shaping the cost of an Aus...

The rise of chatbot therapists: Why AI cannot replace human care

Some are dubbing AI as the fourth industrial revolution, with the sweeping changes it is propellin...

Australians Can Now Experience The World of Wicked Across Universal Studios Singapore and Resorts World Sentosa

This holiday season, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), in partnership with Universal Pictures, Sentosa ...