How to Spot Hinge Scams and Protect Yourself
Hinge scams are one the rise. Avoid being part of the victim statistics.
“The dating app designed to be deleted.”
This is Hinge’s tagline. The dating app prides itself on helping users find serious, long-lasting relationships. But in reality, many are deleting it for a different reason: Hinge scams.
If you’re trying to find love on the app, consider this article a crash course. Learn how to spot these scams and protect yourself from them.
What is Hinge?
Hinge positions itself as a relationship-focused app. It was launched in 2012 and was originally a Facebook plugin allowing users to list their crushes. But this version didn’t take off, so the company shifted its priorities to long-term dating.
The app tracks who’s going out on dates and whether they had a good time. It also allows users to add and answer question cards, as well as respond with voice notes.
“Hinge wants to help people get to know you as soon as they see your profile. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, imagine how many [sic] your voice is worth,” explains Michelle Parsons, Chief Product Officer at Hinge.
With a feedback loop and a new way to express themselves, more daters began downloading the app. As of writing, Hinge ranks third in the U.S. online dating market share with 18%.
A Hinge Horror Story
Hinge sets itself apart from its competitors by facilitating engagement between users. But the app faces similar issues in terms of safety and security.
What are the risks associated with this kind of connectivity, you might ask?
For one, Hinge can’t block all scam links. The app has message filters designed to keep you safe, but it can’t detect everything or stop scammers from luring you outside the platform.
Unpredictability is also an issue. There’s no way to know your match’s intentions from the get-go. They may seem genuine at first, but they may already be exploiting you. Here’s one such cautionary tale.
In 2024, FOX11 Los Angeles reported a story about a Riverside man who scammed a woman he met on Hinge.
According to the police, the perpetrator used a fake name and phone number to set up his profile. He proceeded to match with his victim, go on several dates with her, and lure her to another platform.
He then made an Instagram post, stating that he was organizing a nonprofit fundraiser for domestic violence victims. This involved selling discounted electronics, with all profits going to the cause.
The victim and her family, convinced they could help, donated more than $1,000. They also shared the fundraiser on social media, encouraging their friends to contribute.
This story (and countless others) should serve as a warning to keep your guard up. While you should enjoy exploring the platform, that doesn’t mean you should mindlessly date.
How to Tell If Someone Is Scamming You on Hinge
Genuine connections can only happen in safe environments. Otherwise, it’s a horror movie waiting to happen.
Avoid vulnerable situations. Be more aware of how Hinge scams operate.
File Name: fake-online-dating-sites
Caption: Hinge scammers will lure you to fake online dating sites. Don’t just go with the flow.
#1: Scammers set up fake profiles.
Fake Hinge profiles are usually too good to be true.
Hinge has unlimited messaging, but users can only send DMs to mutual matches. Scammers circumvent this by using the best photos they can to entice you and keep your interest.
They steal images from various sources. It could be from acquaintances on social media or random magazine clippings. Regardless of the source, they ensure the photos are attractive and realistic enough to fool you.
#2: Love bombing commences.
Once scammers have your attention, they work on winning you over. They flirt with you like there’s no tomorrow. They’ll say whatever you want to hear to trick you into believing there’s something real between you.
#3: Scammers ask to switch platforms.
Once they’ve been in your DMs for a while, scammers will ask you for your phone number and request to continue your interaction on a different platform. This move helps them keep the party going when their account gets reported or deleted.
Scammers will send you a link to their preferred site or app. These contain malware and other suspicious content. Once you open the link or download the app, a bot gains access to your devices and steals your personal information.
#4: Fake emergencies or opportunities appear.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of a scammer is someone who makes money by tricking people. They fake emergencies for sympathy or present opportunities you wouldn’t want to miss, like crypto and business investments.
Scammers will act like the two of you have similar goals or expertise, or that they’re generous enough to offer you a way out of your crisis. In reality, this is a ploy to get into your head.
#5: Scammers head for the exit.
No secret remains buried forever. Such is the case with Hinge scams. Regardless of its nature, it’ll get caught eventually.
When you start to put the puzzle pieces together, scammers pull a disappearing act. Your match didn't ghost you for no reason. They likely felt you were onto their scheme.
Hinge’s Preventive Measures
Hinge has set up protective features to alleviate concerns about safety and security amidst the rising scam cases.
Profile verification is among them. The app requires users to submit a video selfie for identity confirmation. It scans faces and determines the video’s legitimacy.
Hinge also has block and report options. When someone triggers discomfort or poses a threat to safety, those features are readily available for use.
And lastly, Hinge has a “First Date Check-In” feature that allows users to let them know if their dates went well or raise concerns about their matches.
Then again, scammers will always find ways to get past these preventive measures.
For example, they can fake Hinge verification using deepfakes and other technology. They can also hide their real intentions during the first date, gaining your trust and a positive review during the check-in.
Defend Yourself
“Someone is blackmailing me on Hinge. What should I do?”
“How can I protect myself from Hinge scammers?”
Keep scammers at bay with these tried and tested tips:
#1: Ask questions.
Scammers will love bomb you or rush the relationship’s progress to build trust quickly. Fish out their intentions by asking questions and noting inconsistencies.
#2: Don’t stray from the app.
Scammers want to evade Hinge’s tracking and security. And with that, they try to move interactions to other platforms, such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or fake online dating sites. Don’t fall for this trick.
Similarly, don’t just click on any link that your match sends you. Check the URL to see if it directs to a secure connection or has inconsistencies in spelling, domain extensions, or strange characters.
#3: Keep personal information to yourself.
There’s a reason your personal details are confidential. They’re at risk when they fall into the wrong hands. Be careful about giving out your phone number, email, home address, or social media credentials.
#4: Follow your gut.
Does something feel off? If so, your gut is probably sending you a warning. Cutting ties now and reporting a suspicious match will save you a lot of trouble.
It’s easy to try again if you miss out on a potential connection. Your support system and legit dating sites can help with that. But it’s difficult to recover your finances or stop your personal information from leaking.
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Hinge scams are on the rise. While the app is taking this challenge seriously, you can never be too careful.
Make a safe and enjoyable experience your priority.
References
Hinge Newsroom. 2021. “Love at First Listen.” Hinge. https://hinge.co/newsroom/voiceprompts.
Curry, David. 2025. “Hinge Revenue and Usage Statistics (2025).” Business of Apps. https://www.businessofapps.com/data/hinge-statistics/.
FOX11 Digital Team. 2024. “Hinge Date Scams Woman, Family Out of Thousands in Socal, Police Say.” FOX11 Los Angeles. https://www.foxla.com/news/hinge-date-scams-woman-family-out-thousands-socal.
Cambridge Dictionary. 2025. “SCAMMER | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary.” Cambridge Dictionary. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/scammer.