Table of contents
- Defining terms
- How prevalent is catfishing?
- False catfishing accusations
- Preventing accusations
- Don’t be afraid to move on
- Frequently asked questions
Defining terms
A catfisher is someone who takes information and images, usually from other people and misuses them, building a new identity. Some catfishers even steal complete identities, including the person’s photo, date of birth, and location. They use this identity to deceive other people into associating with them. Catfishing is far from unheard of on dating sites, which 30% of Americans used in 2023.
A milder form of catfishing is where people wear a hat or head cover to hide a receding hairline, baldness, a bad haircut, etc. Hatfishing doesn’t occur solely on dating apps. You might have coworkers you’ve never seen without their hats off, and when you eventually do, you’re in for a surprise.
How prevalent is catfishing?
In 2024, roughly 62% of US internet users claim they have been catfished. Women make up 53% of victims. 18% of those catfished were between 16 and 24.
Catfishing incidents have risen by 35% since 2022. 41% of incidents involve multiple fake social media accounts. Just 12% of catfishing victims report the scam to police.
Being falsely accused of catfishing
Catfishing does double damage: to the victims and those falsely accused. Those in the latter category describe their circumstances as “guilty until proven innocent,” where they are obligated to provide more and more pictures and information. The accuser is a total stranger, whom they’d never give their information if he or she directly asked for it on the street. If they don’t give it up, it’s because “they’re hiding that they’re a catfisher.”
A woman might finally have a video chat with a man to prove she is who her pictures show and still have him not believe she’s the same person, even though she has the same hair, piercings, background, etc. It’s either a case of wearing too much makeup, the man being too alert, or both. Calling the situation frustrating doesn’t do it justice.
Preventing accusations by uploading real, unedited photos and a detailed bio
People on dating apps most often lie about their age, height, weight, and location. A user wouldn’t reveal their exact location for safety reasons, but they can – and should – be honest about everything else. They should state their true height, age, and weight and make sure their pictures reveal this information as clearly as possible. It’s unreasonable to wear so much makeup in pictures that it renders one unrecognizable.
Profiles without a bio, no linked social media accounts, and a single picture seem suspicious to other users. Other suspicious behavior includes suddenly disappearing from the site and then reappearing under a different name, answering specific questions vaguely, and being overly romantic and complimentary very early on. Dating app users should avoid such behavior to avoid catfishing accusations.
It’s easy to prevent accusations of hatfishing. Being open about the hair issue from the start is all it takes.
Don’t be afraid to move on
You might have done all this, but the user still insists you’re lying. Tell them you’ve been open and honest about yourself, and your profile shows it, and feel free to ghost after that, leaving them wondering if they might have missed their chance with an authentic, decent human being.
When asked to describe their single biggest regret in life, 76% of participants in a study named an action they failed to take which would have assisted them in realizing their ideal self. This could be somebody in a happy relationship. Just 28% expressed regret related to their “ought” self: what other people expected of them, like being someone who never takes risks.
FAQ
What are some other forms of deceptive behavior on dating sites?
They might have used filters excessively if they look very different in various photos. Another form is untruthfulness about one’s financial situation, either by hiding financial problems or pretending to be wealthier. Inconsistent details about what they do for a living could be a red flag. Some profiles contain false or exaggerated details about hobbies or interests. A conversation might reveal gaps between what they say and what they actually enjoy.
What does an authentic dating profile look like?
Authentic profiles have fresh photos. These people only select their actual interests. Their bios are detailed, but they haven’t written a novel. They are honest about what they are looking for on the site.
