Mobile network provider EE has warned customers about a rise in scammers targeting online daters.
Although most people on dating sites will be legitimate, EE says an increasing number of scam artists are joining up and convincing people to hand over money, or using their personal information to target them other ways.
They might, for example, ask for the person’s phone number then text the individual posing as a bank and convincing them to share their bank details.
Scammers have also used dating sites to steal people’s identities in order to carry out impersonation fraud.
EE recently carried out a survey in which they asked 2,000 consumers aged 18 and over about their online dating habits.
The research found 93% of Brits have shared personal data over text message, chat apps or social media, while communicating with love interests.
Of the 93%, 65% admitting sharing their phone number, 51% their location and 35%their social media profile.
‘Online dating has opened exciting new options for singles, but also a novel channel for criminals hunting for new ways to defraud their victims,’ EE said.
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‘One in ten (11 percent) people on the dating scene today now report that they have been targeted by a coordinated romance scam, with one in five losing an average of £2,500 as a result.’
Of those surveyed, 34% said they have experienced suspicious behaviour when messaging with love interest and 15% percent have even been directly asked for money.
Last year EE blocked 12 million scam texts in February alone, well above the monthly average of 8.9 million, which, it says, could be down to Valentine’s day being a popular time to target people.
Richard Wainer, Regulatory Affairs Director at EE said: ‘The threat of scams is an unhappy part of life in 2025, and we’re all increasingly familiar with the traditional calling cards of a scam.
‘However, in a dating context, we’re more vulnerable to social engineering and attempts to defraud can be harder to spot
‘That’s why it’s so important people practice ‘safe texts’. We recommend keeping your sensitive information like your address, email address and security question answers closely guarded and do not share these via text.
‘Always verify someone’s identity with a video call or meeting before getting too personal and never send money or gifts to someone you’ve just met online.’
The network provider has issued a list of red flags phone users should look out for, based on the results of the survey.
1. Asking for money or gifts (64 percent)
2. Using urgent or emotional language (49 percent)
3. Avoiding video calls or in-person meetings (41 percent)
4. Telling a sob story to evoke pity (31 percent)
5. Giving inconsistent answers (24 percent)
6. Dodging personal questions (20 percent)
7. Showing off, or promising the world (12 percent)
8. Asking overly personal questions (11 percent)
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