Why Florida is One of Top Dangerous States for Online Dating
Online dating is one of the main ways people meet each other, but you have to take some common sense precautions. As it turns out, Florida is one of the most dangerous states for online dating. So, even though you might think the worst thing to come out of meeting up with someone you met through an online dating service is not having sparks fly, then think again. But, the good news is that by being aware of the dangers, you can be proactive and stay safe when you’re looking for that special someone online.
Why Florida is One of Top Dangerous States for Online Dating
The experts at PrivacyJournal.net have put together a study with the most dangerous states for online dating, based on a variety of factors. “Unlucky online lovers have reported romance scams and fraud, matches with registered sex offenders, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and even violent crime,” they state. “We used reports of those dangers to crunch the numbers and determine the safest and riskiest U.S. states for online dating.” As for methodology, their researchers used statistics regarding what could lead to a dangerous online date per 100,000 residents of each state. They also looked at the outcomes by their “relative importance” and used all of that information to create an an absolute rating.
If you’re curious, Vermont, according to the study, is the safest state in the U.S. for online dating. It scored the second-lowest rate of reported identity theft and lowest rate of STDs. It’s also towards the bottom of the pack when it comes to violent crime and fraud. The most dangerous state in America for online dating is Nevada. It’s No. 2 in the country for romance scam reports per 100,000 residents. It’s also No. 3 for reports of fraud and No. 4 for reports of identity theft. A few other tidbits include Mississippi ranks No. 1 for sexually transmitted diseases, but the state also has the lowest rate of romance scam reports.
So, where does Florida rank when it comes to being a dangerous state for online dating? It’s the 47th safest state in the U.S., which is not good. Why is Florida ranked so poorly? Well, the Sunshine State ranks as the second-worst state in the U.S. for both identity theft and fraud, according to their report. It’s also the No. 7 worst state for becoming a victim of romance scams. But, the good news is that Florida ranks in the bottom 10 in America for sex offenders and the bottom 15 for violent crime. So, I think that’s a bit of a silver lining.
You Should Know These New Scams That Are Trending
Watch out for the new 'check cooking scam'
The AARP warns of a new scam called the “check cooking scam.” The AARP states, “In check cooking, thieves take a digital picture of a stolen check and then use commercially available software to alter it.” It can look super real, but it’s fake. So, how do you stay safe? “Consider using a safer payment method, such as a credit card,” they suggest.
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Look out for the 'delayed-action sweepstakes scam'
The AARP states also warns of a new sweepstakes scam where “instead of trying to get you to pay taxes or other fees in advance to collect the nonexistent prize, the scammers will ask for personal information so that they can validate you and set up the payout.” Just say no.
Getty Images / Torsten Asmus
Watch out for AI-powered scams
These days, AI scams are big. Experian.com says today, scammers use technology to “write more convincing and natural-sounding phishing emails and text messages.” They can also “Impersonate the victim’s friend or relative and ask for money as part of a grandparent scam.” It’s scary stuff. Beware of anything that sounds too crazy, as these can often seem far-fetched, but AI makes them look real.
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Beware of student loan forgiveness scams
Experian.com says that student loan forgiveness scams are on the rise. They note that, “scammers may contact you via phone or create phony application sites aimed at stealing your Social Security number or your bank account information.” Don’t give out your information. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
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Look out for the Paris Olympics scam
This one is really wild. With the games on the way, scammers can use the games to scam you. The AARP states, “A scammer hacks someone’s email account, and shortly after, all of that person’s contacts will receive the same message — something to the effect of, ‘Hey guys, I’m over in Paris and my wallet got stolen! Can anyone please help me out by sending gift cards or a Venmo deposit?”
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The best way to avoid scams
Whether the scam is new or old, the best way to avoid it is to stop and think about what’s happening. These scam artists are super good at what they do, but if you just stop for a moment and really think out any actions, you can avoid making a rash decision that could cost you.
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