OkCupid Scams: Catfishing, Romance Scams, and More

By David McClellan, February 20, 2019

If you use the popular dating app to find the partner of your dreams, you must be careful of OkCupid scams.

What is OkCupid?

OkCupid is free online dating at its simplest. It’s the fun of Tinder, without the swipe. At first largely marketed by word of mouth, its popularity initially spread from single friend to friend. Nowadays, most online daters who living in urban areas and like free dating, have tried OkCupid, with varying results. Though its user range has grown, it initially appealed to artsy intellectuals – people who weren’t quite hipsters, but almost were; fashionable nerds and people who really like Taco Tuesdays and Wine Wednesdays. OkCupid still retains that quirky feel and has a homier vibe that other sites. It’s the place people go for dating, whether that means a casual hookup or the hope of a longer term relationship.

To sign up you can connect and via phone or computer. You also have the option of linking your OkCupid account with your Facebook login, which can be convenient if you’re prone to forgetting login information or passwords.

While a casual site like OkCupid might not seem like the first place a catfish would head, you’ll find that even OkCupid isn’t safe from the Scams and Spams of modern life.

OkCupid Scams? Here’s How They Work

OkCupid often attracts a special kind of Catfish. Sure, you might still have an unfortunate run-in with an automated bot, be asked for money, or contacted by someone a world away. However, many of the negative Catfish experiences on OkCupid hit closer to home: Ex lovers trying to check up on them, acquaintances or coworkers with fake profiles who are tired of the friend zone, married people, or those claiming to have all the right physical proportions you desire, only to physically resemble what you aren’t looking for.

The internet is ripe with stories of OkCupid members pretending to be someone else. Other tales tell of finally meeting a member who was much (shorter, fatter, or less attractive) than expected. If you suspect someone is using a very outdated or inaccurate photo of themselves, be direct and kindly ask how recent a photo is. If you do find yourself interested in someone and communicate for awhile, without them wanting or being able to meet, decide if the time spent messaging is worth it. Or, considering asking for their Facebook or Instagram link and better verify they are whom you expect.

On OkCupid you can almost disregard the type of relationship each person says they’re looking for. While still inhabited by genuine love seekers, OKC, as users affectionately abbreviate the site name, is quickly becoming known as a more casual dating or hookup site. Depending on your interests, this could be good or bad. With the prevalence of those who are looking for a hookup for free, hookers don’t go to this site as much as others. There’s no need to when people are giving away the same, without charge.

How Catfishing Scams Work On OkCupid

All it takes to be a Scammer or Spammer is a computer, phone, wifi access, and a few minutes to create a fake profile.

As a genuine OkCupid user, you’re off to the races the moment you sign up and immediately start the process of receiving matches. OkCupid matches people based on chosen demographics (height, weight, age, location) and gives users a percentage of compatibility based on a Q&A. If a profile shows someone has answered a lot of questions and taken the personality profile quiz, it (may) point to the user being (at least) a real person.

As explained, OkCupid questions aren’t for the faint of heart. Be prepared to be polled on your sex life and answer questions that would make users on E-Harmony blush. Ultimately, even when users don’t match well percentage wise, most don’t care if there is a physical draw.

What can you discover when reviewing a profile on OkCupid? Many users talk about pop culture, movies, music, and hobbies is common. However, Catfish may opt for generic or empty profiles that are less specific. The difference with Catfish on OkCupid, is they may indeed be someone you know.

If you don’t know the person you’re communicating with, or they take a long time to meet you and only have a few photos, expect the person might be less attractive than you’d hoped or not even who you thought! That isn’t always the case, but if someone comes on too eager, wants to get to know you too fast, or begins claiming a strong attachment to you before meeting; it’s time to step back, do some research, or talk to a tell-it-like-it-is friend!

Signs You’re Being Catfished on OkCupid

They only have one or two profile pictures, or none at all.
The profile photos are far away, in bad lighting, look like they could be from someone famous or look outdated.
The location of the individual is in another country or too far to meet.
The writing style seems more formal than someone would write locally or even as if English isn’t their first language.
They ask you for money (this should always be a red flag).
They come on too strong, saying they love you before even meeting.
They have reasons why they can’t Skype or talk on the phone, despite declaring a strong attachment to you.

People know you’re on the site or people you know use it often.

Still Not Sure If You’re Being Catfished On OkCupid?

If you’re having the nagging thought that something isn’t right, use our dating background check and run a reverse search with a catfish reverse image search and reverse username search. Stop a Catfish at their computer! Meet in a public place as with all first meetings and hope that you meet the LTR, casual dating, or activity partner of your dreams!