FTC Warns LGBTQ+ Dating App Users About Growing Threat of Scammers

The FTC in mid-September issued a statement urging people using LGBTQ+ dating apps to be cautious amid the growing number of scammers who operate on these apps.

Apps like Grindr and Feeld were named in particular as the FTC warned of an increasing number of scammers who seek explicit photos and then use them to extort money. According to Consumer Reports, the attackers pose as interested romantic partners and chat with intended victims. These scammers send explicit photos quickly, seeing who responds with a similar photo in return.

The next part plays out like an episode of Black Mirror, where if the victim does send an explicit photo in hopes of connecting in person, the attacker quickly turns on them and uses blackmail to extort money. The attackers threaten to send the photo to the victim’s personal networks, including family and friends or even an employer unless they pay (usually via gift card). 

Ari Lazarus, a consumer education specialist at the FTC, said: “To make their threats more credible, these scammers will tell you the names of exactly who they plan to contact if you don’t pay up. This is information scammers can find online by using your phone number or your social media profile.”

Part of why they target people on LGBTQ+ apps is that some of the members are closeted, which makes the blackmail tactic especially effective. Attackers can out their victims by threatening to share conversations or a profile photo, not just explicit pictures.

The FTC shared some tips for avoiding being scammed:

1. Research who you’re talking to. This can be done by doing a reverse image search to see if the person listed a fake name. Overall, just be aware, and if something seems off, assume it’s a scam.
2. Don’t share personal information or photos with someone you just met on a dating app. This is a golden rule – don’t share your mobile number, social media profiles, etc. until you know the person you’re chatting with is for real.
3. Don’t pay scammers. The FBI warns against paying blackmail money, which supports criminal activity. Plus, there’s no guarantee that they won’t keep extorting you for more money, despite promises to destroy photos or conversations. Assume they won’t.
4. Don’t share private photos, full stop. This is something you can’t take back. It’s much better to meet in person before you start to exchange pics. If you do, you won’t have a choice as to how that person uses it, and there’s a decent chance that person might be a scammer.

The FTC says you can report fraud on their website: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, or call the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s crisis hotline at 844-878-CCRI. Lastly, you can reach out to The Trevor Project if you’re under 25. They provide free counseling resources via phone, text and online chat.