Online Dating Red Flags Checklist | Romance Scam & Catfish Detection Guide | Dating App Safety | Printable PDF | Digital Download
Trust Your Gut — Then Check It Against This List
Most online dating is genuine. But scammers work the same apps, and they follow predictable patterns.
The Online Dating Red Flags Checklist gives you the behavioral red flags to watch for, the lines scammers use, and the safety steps to take before you ever meet in person. Whether you're on Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Match, or Facebook
Dating, the patterns are the same — and once you know them, they're hard to miss.
Perfect for anyone dating online who wants to enjoy it without being someone's target.
What's Included
✔ Profile Red Flags
- Too-perfect photos that look like a model or stock images — reverse image search them
- Very few photos, no candid shots, or a refusal to add more
- Vague or inconsistent details about job, location, or background
✔ Behavior Red Flags
- Pushes to leave the app fast for text, WhatsApp, or email
- Declares love quickly ("love bombing") before you've even met
- Always has an excuse not to video chat or meet in person
- Story keeps changing or doesn't add up over time
✔ The Money Ask
- Any request for money — emergencies, travel, customs fees, medical bills
- Asks for gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers, none of which are recoverable
- A "can't-miss" investment they want to help you with, a common scam
✔ Protect Yourself
- Video chat before meeting to confirm they're real
- Tell a friend who you're talking to and meeting
- Never send money or intimate photos to someone you haven't met
✔ Bonus Pro Tip
Learn the clearest signal of all: a genuine match will understand caution. Anyone who pressures you to move off the app fast, declares strong feelings within days, or gets angry when you ask to verify them is showing you exactly who they are.
Perfect For
- Online dating beginners
- Tinder users
- Bumble users
- Hinge users
- Match users
- Facebook Dating users
- Singles returning to dating after a break
- Anyone talking to someone they haven't met in person
- Parents and friends helping someone spot a scam
- Romance scam and catfish awareness
Why You'll Love It
✓ Instant digital download
✓ Printable at home
✓ Easy one-page checklist
✓ Beginner friendly
✓ Takes only minutes to review
✓ Works with virtually any dating app
✓ Covers profiles, behavior, money asks, and meeting safety
✓ Helps you act on your instincts with confidence
Product Details
- PDF Digital Download
- 1 Printable Page
- Unlimited personal printing
- Designed by Making Sense Of Security
- No physical product shipped
Save With A Bundle
This card is part of a $5 bundle — get the full set and save:
Great Companion Guides
Pair this checklist with:
- Dating App Privacy Settings Card
- Payment App Safety Checklist
- Wire Transfer Safety Card
- Phone Location Privacy Settings Card
- Turning Off Location Sharing Card
- Identity Theft Warning Signs Checklist