Hinge is an online dating app that was founded in 2012. Similar to apps like Tinder and Bumble, Hinge relies on your Facebook friend connections for matches. However, unlike Bumble and Tinder, Hinge is formatted to allow you to focus on a small number of profiles at a time, as opposed to unlimited swiping.

While Hinge is touted as having a younger and more diverse demographic, when compared to traditional dating sites like eHarmony or Match.com – if you also use Tinder and Bumble, you might see many of the same people on all three apps. The only people you won’t want to see? Scammers. Let’s investigate how often scammers use Hinge and what you can do to avoid them.

What is Hinge?

Hinge is geared toward millennials (90% are between ages 23 and 36) who are relationship-oriented, according to Hinge’s user survey. That same survey of users showed that 45% of Hinge daters are seeking a “serious” dating relationship.

Are you looking for more casual dating? Don’t worry, as 30% of remaining users will be looking for the same. Hinge hopes to attract users who get overwhelmed, having a million matches and swiping as if dating is a video game. Since Hinge tries to keep your dating pool manageable, free users are only allotted 10 “likes” per day (if they upload at least six photos) and shown ten matches per day.

That means you are limited to interacting with your daily suggested matches unless you upgrade to a paid membership. You will also only be able to set filters for gender, location, age, distance, height, location, and ethnicity. If you want to filter out habits like smoking or search for (or not for) parents, you will need a paid membership.

An incomplete profile will prevent you from being allowed to “like” other users. You can “match” with a user and chat directly, or like part of their profile by tapping on the red heart accompanying a particular section and add a comment.

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Is Hinge a Good Dating App?

Hinge isn’t going to advertise if they attract scammers and spammers, but like every dating platform, users need to be aware. While Hinge is suitable for people who want to take time to get to know other users (in a more relaxed way and leave comments), the pace does help cut down on scams. That pace helps weed out scammers whose profiles are quickly banned.

When reviewing Hinge in the Apple (App) Store, the app has a surprisingly high 4.5 stars. Google Play has Hinge rated at about four stars, with many of the complaints related to glitches in the app from their new update or claims about a lack of options for free users.

While many users enjoy that Hinge allows comments and messages to be left on profiles, as opposed to coming up with a witty DM, the process takes more time. While that can weed out scammers, some users still complain about the lack of video or profile verification to guarantee a profile is real. Also, despite the many stars for the app, people do encounter scams.

According to one Reddit user, many of the profiles they matched with belonged to scammers. In fact, out of 12 likes, they say that all were with scammers or possible scams. Resilient scammers can use Hinge to get you to trust them before they go for your wallet.

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Safe Dating Tips

Hinge agrees with our mission at Social Catfish, you should never send money or your private financial information to anyone on the app. Keep your private data private. Be wary of anyone trying to get you to communicate through other platforms or coming on too strong.

Anyone pushing you to connect outside the site is likely a scammer whose account will be deleted, and they don’t want you to know their con. Money requests are a clear red flag that you’re dealing with a con artist. Also, beware of anyone who claims they are located away from your geographic area and overseas or long distance. Never meet a stranger in a private location.

Instead, always pick a public place to reduce the risk of physical harm or becoming a human trafficking victim. Drive your car and stay in public, at all times, until you get to know more about the person. If you have a user’s name, phone number, or picture (or other details), try a search on Social Catfish.

It’s impossible to eliminate all risk when online dating. However, you can minimize the risk of harm (although avoiding a broken heart is harder to guarantee) and avoid being the victim of a scammer.

While it may not be the only dating app you use, your safety rules should be consistent against all platforms. We hear from dating app users from Hinge and other websites daily. Protect your online safety, avoid identity theft, and uncover scammers with Social Catfish’s safe search.

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