Bumble Scams: How to Spot Them and Avoid Them Online

By Jen D., July 1, 2019

Bumble knows a thing or two about scams. Though scammers are not exclusive to Bumble or any particular dating app, being scammed is no longer the exception, but it’s the norm if you take the time to poll your friends who online or app date, you are sure to hear stories of catfish, bots, scammers, and more.

However, users often trust Bumble because it connects through their Facebook account and gives dating recommendations based on likes and friends in common. This causes users to forget about the risks associated with app dating.

While the app tries to prevent fraudulent profiles by using photo verification and other tools, scammers abound. Let’s explore the types of scams found on Bumble and how you can protect yourself!

Typical Bumble Scams You May Encounter

Bot

Bots use the automated computerized response to carry on seemingly human conversation through Bumble’s text style messaging platform. You might think you’re getting to know someone who likes hiking, playing the piano, and going to happy hour. In reality, you are talking with a bot who wants to redirect you to a paid site or phishing site with malware.

How to Recognize a Bot

You will always have the bot’s attention because, well, they aren’t human. Whenever or whatever your message, the bot will reply and be ready to chat- morning, noon, and night. To test if someone is a bot, you can try sending a weird answer, such as, “green phone tree beach cat one two” and see if the other user comments on it, or continues, not realizing anything is amiss.

If they do the latter, they are probably a bot. Look for fast, generic replies. You can be sure you are dealing with a bot if they try and get you to visit an outside link and sign up for a website, service, download, or buy anything.

If This Happens to You

Delete and block the user and consider reporting them to Bumble. Make it a rule not to click on outside links.

Catfish

You are in love, and your love story seems straight out of a feature-length rom-com! You met on Bumble, had a connection, and took your romance off the app all without dating or even meeting in person. Soon enough, you are sending one another packages and talking on the phone daily. You don’t just think you’re in love, you are in love, and they’re your best friend.

Unfortunately, the person you are talking to keeps making excuses as to why they can’t meet. This is because the person you think you’re in love with, is using fake, stolen profile pictures and life circumstances to seduce you. They aren’t whom they claim to be at all. While they presented themselves as a highly attractive person with a great job, they live a very different life.

For example, they might live at home in their parent’s basement and rarely leave the house. A catfish comes up with a fake identity and persona because they feel poorly about their financial status, appearance, sexuality, age, or have low self-esteem.

How to Recognize a Catfisher

Catfish will resist talking to you on video chat, as this would show you that they aren’t whom they claim to be. If they do send video, hoping you’ll fall for it, it has been doctored with their voice placed over the video. They will make plans to meet and right before you meet, they will come up with wild excuses as to why they cannot see you (illness, car accident, had to leave the country, etc.).

If This Happens to You

Search their email address, name, images, and more on Social Catfish. This will let you know whom you’re dealing with and if it is cause for concern or you’re dealing with a catfish. If they are still on your Bumble account, as a match, report the user to Bumble and send them any information you have about the fake account.

Scammer

Scammers can be similar to bots and catfish in the sense that they want you to get off of Bumble. In their case, it is so you don’t see them scamming other users with their fake identity. While catfish often pretend to be someone else for emotional reasons, scammers know why they created a phony account to pad their wallets with your cash!

Scammers might be from Nigeria or overseas, operating their scams by tricking you into a relationship as they ask for iTunes cards, money wires, pay by mail, and more. Or, they might be local, such as the Los Angeles dine and dash scammer, who ended up being charged with ten felonies for leaving multiple women with the tab, when he went on a date.

How to Recognize a Scammer

A red flag that someone you met on Bumble is a scammer usually involves a request for cash. This might happen while using Bumble or after you connect outside the app. They will come up with a highly elaborate excuse as to why they need money (for an operation, a business license, as they are stranded on a holiday, etc. )

If This Happens to You

Search their email address, name, do a reverse image lookup, and more on Social Catfish. This will let you know whom you’re dealing with and if it is cause for concern or you’re dealing with a catfish. If they are still connected to your Bumble account, as a match, report the user to Bumble and send the app any information you have about the fake account.

Other Fake Users

Prostitutes and porn sites may use Bumble and create users who direct you to webcam videos. These might be bots or someone employed by the porn or webcam site, or even the performer trying to get more traffic. Escorts might use the site to lure in people who aren’t having luck finding matches in other ways.

How to Recognize a Fake User

They will mention their website, webcam show, wanting money, or use emojis that indicate they aren’t looking for traditional love but can be hired as a prostitute (think the money emoji followed by the kiss emoji).

If This Happens to You

Immediately block the user and report them to the site. While Bumble may not take down every scammer or prostitute, your report will help them remove profiles of people who aren’t looking for genuine connections.

If you’re still unsure if you’re dealing with a real Bumble user or a fake, go to Social Catfish. Social Catfish are experts at exposing scammers pulling the wool over Bumble user’s eyes.

Don’t waste your time and money, or risk a broken heart! Verify whom you’re talking to and if they are worth your time.