Despite warnings from the FTC, a public NFL victim and an MTV reality show, the number of “catfishing” victims increased by 50% in 2018 compared to three years ago. “Catfishing” is when someone fakes an online identity to scam victims for money, romance or physical harm. Catfishers use stolen photos of attractive people and impersonate them. They’re also highly skilled at manipulating others into trusting them. Some move fast while others take years developing relationships with the people they swindle. But across the board, catfish share one thing in common: they always have an excuse why they can’t meet you in person.

These online relationships can last for months or even years! A study released by SocialCatfish.com — a leading resource to verify online identities —  shows the Number of Catfish Victims in Each State using data from the FBI for 2018.

Iowa ranked No. 30 in the country with 165 reported victims.  Vermont reported the fewest victims of all 50 states with just 25 cases. The 10 States with the Most Victims include: California (2,105), Texas (1,238), Florida (1,191), New York (782), Pennsylvania (577), Washington (493), Virginia (480), Michigan (461), Illinois (463), North Carolina (432).

The 10 States with the Fewest Victims were: Vermont (25), South Dakota (31), Wyoming (33), North Dakota (35), D.C. (36), Montana (42), Delaware (48), Rhode Island (51), (Hawaii (59) and New Hampshire (68). Of the U.S. Territories, Puerto Rico had the most with 49 victims and American Samoa had the fewest, reporting zero cases. The state with the lowest cost per victim is South Dakota, with $3,281 per crime. The state with the highest cost per victim is North Carolina, with $47,886 per crime. According to the FBI Internet Crime Report, the total amount of money lost to catfish in 2018 in the US was $323,952,461.

5 Signs You Are Being Catfished:

• If they ask for money: This may sound so obvious, but if the online friend or romantic interest whom you have never met asks you to send money or provide your bank information, you are being catfished.
• If they can’t meet in person: If the person strings you along without meeting in person.  They may even eventually agree to a day or time but have an “emergency” that day such as a cancelled flight or a medical issue.
• If they are stationed overseas: If they claim to be stationed overseas or working on an oil rig or platform, as an excuse for not meeting.
• If they can’t video chat: If the person refuses to video chat ever.
• If they seem to good to be true: Some people who catfish feel bad about themselves and take on the online persona of a model or successful businessperson and the like.

To avoid becoming a victim, thoroughly fact-check and verify online identities using google and SocialCatfish.com or other, reputable sites before meeting in person or providing any information about yourself.

Source: SocialCatfish.com