Safe from "Tinder scams": How to protect yourself properly - and when to call the police
Created: 02/16/2022Updated: 02/16/2022 13:22
Anyone looking for a partner on the dating app Tinder should not lose sight of data protection.
These tips will make flirting safer.
© Jakub Porzycki/IMAGO
How to run a digital show on Tinder without security risks?
With these three tips, the flirt app can be used as safely as possible.
If you want to go looking for a partner online on popular dating apps like Tinder, you have to open yourself up to a certain extent digitally: Without photos and a few personal details, flirting will probably be a pretty lonely experience.
Nevertheless, users should follow a few tips to secure their data.
This includes the areas of classic security, data protection and raising awareness of fraudsters, so-called love scamming.
Tinder scammers take advantage of the good nature of others to swindle money or other favors.
Security on Tinder: tips for safe flirting without data loss
Chip.de
has checked the dating app for its security risks.
Basically, according to the platform, the same rules apply to the app as to other online services.
Since the app is mostly used on mobile phones with the common systems Android and iOS, security is usually guaranteed.
To do this, users should keep their operating system up to date and only download apps from the official stores.
Signing up for the app is possible in a number of ways.
However, Chip.de
advises against using Facebook and storing a telephone number or e-mail address instead.
As is the case for all online services, the password required for this should be very secure.
In the best case, using 2-factor authentication and a password manager.
Tools like Bitwarden or Keepass are available as free open source data managers for all devices.
Tinder: Data protection always in focus - no links to other profiles
In the second step, data protection can be optimized.
However, and this is emphasized by
Chip.de
, this option is quite superficial.
Similar to the messenger service WhatsApp, Tinder's data protection is not very good in her opinion.
A test has shown that more than ten data can be tracked during use.
In most cases, these are tracking modules from Facebook or Google, but the app also uses its own analysis tools.
This requires up to 27 authorizations that the user of the app must allow.
Registration runs via Apple ID, Google account or Facebook account and phone number.
However, Chip.de
advises against linking different accounts, the linked telephone number is the best way.
But that also means that users should not link their Instagram profile to Tinder, otherwise a flood of information would be shared.
Flirt via Tinder is very popular with users and boomed even in lockdown times.
With all data protection concerns in mind, those willing to flirt are not spared from disclosing some personal information: age, gender, location, photos, important passages in the CV.
Nevertheless, the data should be used sparingly.
Neutral photos that cannot be found anywhere on the internet are ideal.
Otherwise, someone could track them down using reverse searches and find more private information about other app users.
The address and the employer also do not belong in a public dating profile.
Chip.de
also advises
using only one platform and not resorting to other messenger services for contact.
Love Scamming: Beware of Fake Profiles on Tinder and Co.
Love scamming or - currently on everyone's lips - the "Tinder swindler"* is a constant problem in online dating.
Scammers and criminals use false profiles to try to gain the trust of Tinder users and to deprive them of money or even their identity.
With these tips, such a data theft can not happen:
Never pay money:
Even if the dream man or woman is typing on the other end of the cell phone.
Users should never pay money, plane tickets or medical treatment.
The account details are also included.
Don't send a copy of your ID:
If a flirt partner wants to see a copy of your ID, that's a warning sign.
There is a suspicion that someone wants to steal the identity.
Check names online:
If you are suspicious of whether your digital counterpart actually exists, you can check your name online.
If it is a known scamming profile, it may be possible to track it down.
Sort out bots:
Is the profile picture real?
This is a question that many single people ask themselves - for different reasons.
Tinder offers photo verification in Germany to give users security.
The blue tick indicates when a user has had their photos reviewed.
In this case, it is not a bot - but the flirt partner can still be a scammer.
Report and block contacts:
If a flirt partner behaves unusually, is pushy or otherwise unpleasant, contacts can be blocked via the Tinder app settings and also reported in an emergency.
Filing a criminal complaint:
If, despite precautionary measures, the interlocutor turns out to be a fraud, users should report them to the police.
This prevents the person from being able to repeat his stitch.
(mell) *
Merkur.de
is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
