Catfishing is when a person on the app pretends to be someone they’re not. People catfish to get attention, partners, or sometimes money.

The surest way to know you’re not dealing with a catfish is to request that they verify their profile shortly after you match (if they haven’t already). Otherwise, keep this stuff in mind:

Spotting a catfish

Suspect a catfish? Here are some things to look out for:

• They refuse to video call or meet IRL
• Their social media profiles look new
• They ask for money
• They either message constantly or erratically
• Your own gut feeling says something isn’t right

Recovery from catfishing

The crucial thing is to never blame yourself. Catfishing can happen to anyone and however you’re feeling about the experience, it’s one to learn and grow from. You can do this by:

• Taking a break from dating for long enough to clear your mind
• Forgiving yourself and not feeling embarrassed or guilty