First let me start by saying that I am a big girl, and I can handle myself. This blog is to really highlight how easy it is to get cat fished online. Because if I know what to watch out for, and I fall for it...how does anyone else have a chance?
Catfishing...if you aren't familiar with the term, it is when someone pretends to be someone else online by using their picture or info. In my case, it was for online dating. You don't see if so much on the paid sites...but on Facebook Dating is is everywhere.
These predators steal images and information to pass themselves off as someone else. They prey on people looking to make a connection. It's sick and twisted...and in some cases it can be catastrophic emotionally and financially.
I ran into my first catfish last week posing as an Airline pilot. For those longtime readers of the blog, you may remember my feelings on airline pilots. I mean I wouldn't mind if one wanted to strap me in...or invited me to his cockpit. He can get me to cruising altitude anytime. Sooooo much good pilot material people. Loosen up. Anyway...I like a pilot.
This particular airline pilot worked for Qatar, and had great pics of him all over the world. He liked me, I liked him. We exchanged numbers. I asked questions about where he was based out of and his schedule. He went off to warm up his plane, and we chatted later the next day. Do pilots even talk like that? Warm up the plane? It's not a Dodge Durango in the dead of winter.
He sent me a another photo. This one struck me as odd. Kind of looked like something taken out of a magazine. I mean...Hot, Hot, Hot. But, because there were other pics more informal I brushed it aside. Mistake #1.
Now, typically the catfishers aren't big on talking on the phone. But, this one was. He called in between one of his flights...very quickly I realized that this guy did not go to a high school in Virginia or have anything close to half American parents. He had a very, very thick accent. Also, he had told me that he was based out of West Palm Beach. Qatar doesn't fly out of West Palm. And tried to tell me that Qatar only pays him one time a year in January. This was part of the beginning of a cash set up...I believe.
I quickly got off the phone with him, reported his profile and blocked all of his contact.
Luckily I didn't share much info with him, so I don't feel like I'm at any risk. But, it's important for people to remember that you don't know these people. And you should guard your personal information very closely. Don't give out anything you have as a security question....I mean if Mr. Fuzzy Bottoms was the name of your first cat, and the security question on your 401K...please don't tell anyone. Mr. Fuzzy Bottoms doesn't want you to end up on Dr. Phil.
The second catfish I had, I knew was a catfish and I wanted to see how it played out. Pretty quickly this catfish showed that he didn't have the best grasp of the English language. Which leads me to my next call out. If it looks like a fish, and smells like a fish...it's probably a fish. In this case...this guy texted pretty strangely to be from Westminster, Maryland. Even though...you know...Maryland.
From the beginning he wanted to get off text and go to Google Chat or What's App. This is a huge red flag!! If someone really wants to talk to you...text is fine. You don't need google chat for a better user experience. That's all BS.
The other thing about this fish, was that his pictures didn't jive with where he said he was from. He had pictures from the desert...but, again...Maryland is where he lived. He spoke very formally in his texts...and made no mention of going to any of the theme parks in Orlando. NONE. I mean, I know people come here for other things...but, not with a 13 year old daughter. Giant Red Flag. He didn't even mention anything other than a pool. Weirdo...
So, my next recommendation is to pay attention to context in the photos. Says he's at the gym...but, doesn't look like a gym? Says he's at a pool in Orlando, but there are giant mountains in the background...nope, sorry. Probably just a fishy, fishy, fish.
Now, this dude knew my birthday...which should have freaked me out, but it was right there on my profile. Duh! Not the year...just the day. And Mr. Fish claimed that his birthday was the same day. Now as Leroy Jethro Gibbs says in NCIS "There is no such thing as a coincidence".
Knowing all of these things, I pushed him to give me a call. Because I wanted to see this play out. So...he called and what do you know...he did not have a Maryland accent. He spoke very quietly like if he was quiet that I would not notice he was from a freaking foreign country.
I broke the connection. Reported his profile and blocked all his contact. I wish I knew who the guys were who had their stuff stolen, so they would know (and cuz they were hot)...but, reverse image search didn't pan out. Which will have to be a topic for another day.
I've included a good article down below that has a ton of great points on this...but, let's recap my thoughts on how to avoid this all together.
1. Pay attention. Look at pics. Be aware of how they talk, what they say...be AWARE.
2. Don't give out too much info on yourself. Remember those security questions. Keep it locked up tight.
3. Watch for red flags like jumping to a message app, or everything is a coincidence.
4. And try to have fun...but, don't put too much emotion into it. Just be safe and be aware. And never, never give money to anyone you meet online. I hope that one goes without saying.
