What are my next steps if I've been scammed?

Dating should never feel scary – especially not for reasons like this. While we do everything possible to keep scammers off the app, we know that scams have only gotten trickier nowadays. Unfortunately, even the most skeptical of daters can become a victim.

If you've found yourself on the wrong side of a scam, here are some steps you can take: 

Report the user. If you haven't already, be sure to report the scammer or any other suspicious activity to the CMB Team. By reporting a scammer, you’re preventing them from taking advantage of someone else in the future. And don’t worry – reporting is totally anonymous. For a detailed walkthrough of how to do that, head to this article on how to report a bagel. 

Contact your bank. If you have sent funds to a scammer or fraudulent website, see if your bank can reverse the transaction or get the bank to hold the funds. Also, ask if your bank has a fraud protection policy.

Alert your local police, international law enforcement groups, and financial regulators. What happened to you is a crime. Alerting as many outlets as possible can not only help you but help prevent future victims of a scam. Note: If an incident happens through Coffee Meets Bagel and you decide to file a police report, please refer officers directly to our Operations team for legal or investigative matters. Their email is [e-mail]

Report to your cryptocurrency exchanges. If you have to remit your funds through cryptocurrency, trace the e-wallet addresses of your scam company and submit them to your local authority. 

Protect your personal data. If at any point you shared something like your passport or driver’s license, replace it immediately. Also, you might start getting spam messages or phone calls if your information was sold. Don’t click on any random messages or emails, or answer unexpected phone calls. 

Keep a record of everything. Take screenshots of anything you can, including the scammer’s profile, the website you were directed to, chat logs, transaction IDs, and wire transfer receipts. 

Remember, scammers are opportunists. You download a dating app with dreams of opening up and finding your person – and scammers look to take advantage of that vulnerability. So please, try not to judge yourself. You did something brave by putting yourself out there. 

For some tips about how to stay safe while online dating, check out “5 Ways to Spot a Scammer” on our blog and our resource page for more information.