SAFETY & TECH

How to Spot a Fake Profile: 5 Red Flags on Any Platform

In the world of online connection, trust is everything. Before you invest your time and emotional energy into a conversation, you need to be confident that the person on the other side is real, respectful, and honest about their intentions. Unfortunately, most platforms are filled with fakes, bots, and time-wasters.

Learning to spot the red flags is the most critical skill for navigating the online lifestyle safely and efficiently. Here are the five tell-tale signs that a profile you're looking at isn't worth your time.

Red Flag #1: The "Supermodel" Photos are Too Perfect.

We all want to put our best foot forward, but if a profile's photos look like they were pulled from a professional magazine shoot, be skeptical.

• What to look for: Images that are overly polished, have perfect lighting, and show a person who looks like a professional model.
• The Test: Do a reverse image search. Right-click the photo and select "Search image with Google." If the same photo appears on stock photo sites or in a different person's social media gallery, you've found a fake.

Red Flag #2: The Bio is Vague or Overly Aggressive.

A real couple's bio is usually thoughtful and specific. A fake profile's bio is often lazy or goes straight to the point in a way that feels off.

• What to look for: A bio that is completely empty, or one that is just a generic, sexually aggressive phrase like "No games, just fun. Let's play tonight." Real people, especially experienced couples, rarely communicate this way.

Red Flag #3: They Immediately Try to Move You Off-Platform.

This is the single biggest and most common red flag. You've exchanged two messages, and they are already asking for your phone number or telling you to join them on a different messaging app.

• The Line: "I don't check this app much, let's switch to Kik/Telegram/WhatsApp."
• Why it's a Red Flag: They are trying to move you to an unmoderated, untraceable environment. This is a classic tactic used by scammers and picture collectors.

Red Flag #4: Their Story Has Inconsistencies.

As you chat, pay attention to the details. They say they live in your city but use slang from a different region. Their profile says they are 45, but they talk about being in college. People who are maintaining a fake persona often have trouble keeping their story straight.

Red Flag #5: They Refuse a "Vibe Check."

After you've been chatting for a while, a natural next step is a brief, live verification—what we call a "Vibe Check." This could be a short, SFW (safe for work) video call or a live photo with a specific gesture (like a peace sign). If you suggest this and they consistently make excuses or become defensive, you have your answer. A real person who is genuinely interested will have no problem proving they are who they say they are.