Hinge calls itself the app “designed to be deleted.” The goal? Match with someone real, fall for them, and never have to swipe again. But let’s be honest—sometimes, instead of a real connection, we end up talking to a fake profile.

I’ve had moments where everything seemed perfect—great photos, flirty banter—but something felt off. And that’s when I started asking myself: Is this person even real?

Let’s talk about how to tell.

1. Their Profile Looks Like a Photoshoot

One of the first things I’ve noticed with fake profiles is that the photos just look too good. I’m talking professional lighting, perfect angles, magazine-level poses—like every picture came straight out of a modeling portfolio.

Now don’t get me wrong, some people really are photogenic or even influencers. But most real profiles have at least a couple of casual pics—something with friends, a goofy selfie, or just a regular photo that feels real.

When every picture looks edited, posed, and too polished, that’s when my red flag radar goes off.

When I get that feeling, I use a reverse image search tool—my go-to is ProFaceFinder. I just uploaded the photo, and it scans the internet to see if that picture (or similar ones) show up somewhere else.

It’s helped me figure out more than once that the “person” I matched with was actually using stolen photos.

Bottom line? If their photos scream “model shoot,” it might be worth double-checking who you’re really talking to.

2. Their Prompts Are Vague or Just… Weird

One thing I’ve learned while using Hinge is that the prompts people answer can tell you a lot. Real people usually show a bit of personality—maybe a silly joke, a fun fact, or even something a little awkward (which honestly just makes them more relatable).

But with fake profiles, the prompts often feel… off. Like they’re trying too hard to sound deep or romantic, but end up making no sense. I’ve seen ones that say things like, “This year I want to career up be a better you.” What does that even mean?

Sometimes the answers are super generic—stuff anyone could write. Other times, they sound like they were written by AI or copy-pasted from somewhere else.

There’s no humor, no quirks, no real vibe. And as the conversation goes on, the weirdness usually continues. It might start out kind of normal, but soon they’re steering the chat toward money, investments, or even asking for personal stuff way too soon.

When I start to feel like I’m talking to a robot—or someone playing a character—I know it’s time to take a step back.

3. The Conversation Gets Too Intense, Too Fast

Ever matched with someone and within a few messages they’re already saying things like, “I’ve never felt this way before,” or “I can see a future with you”?

Yeah… same. At first, it can feel kind of flattering—like, wow, this person is really into me. But then reality kicks in, and I’m like, Hold on… you don’t even know me yet.

This is a classic move with catfishers. They come on strong, say all the right things, and try to build a quick emotional connection. It’s meant to pull you in and make you trust them fast. But when someone starts oversharing their life story or saying they’ve “been waiting for someone like you” after two chats, that’s when I stop and ask myself:

• How can they feel this strongly when we’ve barely talked?
• Why are they so emotionally invested already?
• Are they trying to distract me from noticing something’s off?

I’ve learned that real connections take time. So if someone’s rushing things, it’s usually not because they’re head over heels—it’s because they’re hiding something.

4. They Want to Leave Hinge Immediately

One big red flag I’ve run into is when someone wants to move the conversation off Hinge way too quickly. Sometimes, they’ll drop their WhatsApp, Snapchat, Telegram, or even a phone number within the first few messages.

At first, I thought, Okay, maybe they just prefer texting. But then I realized—there’s a reason they don’t want to stick around on the app. Hinge actually does a pretty good job at spotting and removing fake profiles, so scammers don’t want to risk getting caught. If they get you off the app, it’s easier for them to lie, manipulate, and disappear without a trace.

Every time someone’s pushed me to switch platforms right away, it’s been a bad sign. Especially if they get weird when I say I’d rather keep chatting on Hinge for a bit longer.

Now, I treat it like a rule of thumb: if they’re in a rush to leave the app, I take a step back. If they’re real and genuinely interested, they won’t mind sticking around a little longer.

5. They Have the “New Here” Hinge Label… Always

This one took me a while to notice, but now I spot it instantly. A lot of fake profiles on Hinge have the “New here” label on them. At first, I thought, Cool, maybe they’re just new to the app like me. But then I started realizing—they’re always new.

Here’s why: scammers get banned a lot. So they constantly have to create new accounts to keep going. And when they do, that little “New here” tag gives them away. It usually lasts for about a week (sometimes longer if they’re not active), but when someone always seems brand new and something feels off, it’s worth paying attention to.

Of course, not everyone with that label is a scammer. But if they’re also giving off other sketchy vibes—perfect photos, weird prompts, intense messaging—then that label just adds to the red flags.

Now, whenever I see “New here,” I don’t assume the worst, but I definitely stay alert.

6. Their Info Just Doesn’t Add Up

I’ve matched with people whose profiles seem fine at first glance… but then the little things start not making sense. Like, they say they’re from my city, but none of their photos look like they were taken here. Or they’ll mention a job or school that doesn’t line up with their timeline at all.

Sometimes it’s even more obvious—like they claim to be a certain race or religion, but their photos or voice prompts tell a different story. Or they barely fill out any info at all, which makes it harder to get a real sense of who they are.

And when we start chatting, it gets even weirder. I’ve talked to people who made strange grammar mistakes or used phrases that felt super out of place. That’s usually when I realize—this isn’t just someone who’s “bad at texting.” It’s someone pretending to be something they’re not.

Now, when I see info that feels rushed, generic, or straight-up false, I slow things down and start asking more questions. If things don’t line up, I trust my gut.

7. They’re Weirdly Into Crypto

Okay, this one still makes me laugh a little—because it’s so random, yet it happens a lot. I’ve matched with people who, out of nowhere, start talking about crypto. And not like, “I dabble in it,” but full-blown, “You should totally invest with me and double your money in a week.”

At first, it’s subtle. They’ll say something like, “Ever tried trading? It’s been amazing for me.” Then it ramps up to, “I can show you how—it’s super easy,” or “Just invest $500 and watch it grow.” They act like it’s this secret opportunity that only you are lucky enough to hear about.

And if you question it, they flip the script. Suddenly, they’re offended. “You don’t trust me?” or “I was only trying to help you.” The guilt-tripping is real.

It’s all a trap. They build up fake emotions to get you to send money. And once they do? You’ll either hear excuses for why the money’s “stuck,” or they’ll push you to invest more—this time it’ll work, promise!

Now, when someone I barely know starts pitching investments, I just back away. No real match is trying to sell me crypto.

8. They’re Always Too Busy to Meet

This one is probably the most frustrating of them all. You talk for days, maybe even weeks, and everything seems great—but somehow, every time you bring up meeting in person or even hopping on a quick video call, they’ve got an excuse ready to go.

I’ve heard it all:

• “My phone’s broken.”
• “I don’t have good internet right now.”
• “I’m out of town.”
• “My grandma’s sick.”
• I just got into an accident.

(Yes, one even faked their own death… through a text from their “cousin.”)

At first, I tried to be understanding—life happens. But when someone never finds time to see you face to face, and always has a dramatic reason why, it’s a red flag I can’t ignore anymore.

And when I’ve asked about it, some tried to guilt me. They’d say I was being insensitive or putting pressure on them. It’s all part of the act—trying to keep you emotionally hooked while avoiding any real connection.

Now, I’ve learned: if someone can text endlessly but won’t show their face, they’re probably not who they say they are.

9. Even Real Profiles Can Raise Red Flags

Here’s the tricky part—not every person who checks one of these boxes is automatically a scammer. I’ve come across real people who had model-level photos, were actually “new here,” or even talked about crypto because they were genuinely into it.

But the key is context.

If someone has one or two suspicious traits, I don’t freak out right away. I take a step back and look at the full picture:

• Are they open in conversation?
• Do they answer personal questions with real detail?
• Do they share casual photos or only picture-perfect selfies?
• Are they pressuring me into anything—like sending money or sharing private info?

If the vibe feels off and too many of these signs line up, it’s probably not worth the risk. But if they’re open, consistent, and actually act like a real human being… then hey, maybe there’s something there.

The point is: it’s okay to be cautious. We’re all just trying to protect ourselves while looking for something real.

What to Do If You Think You’re Talking to a Hinge Catfish

Realizing the person you’ve been messaging isn’t who they said they were? That hits hard. I’ve been there—and yeah, it sucks. You might feel embarrassed, confused, or even hurt, especially if you let your guard down and built a connection.

But here’s what I’ve learned: the moment you start to suspect something’s off, it’s okay to step back. It’s okay to block. It’s okay to protect your peace.

Here’s what I do when I think I’ve been catfished:

• Stop talking to them. You don’t owe them an explanation. Trust your instincts.
• Block and report them on Hinge. It helps get their profile removed and protects other people.
• Don’t send money. Ever. No matter how convincing or emotional they get.
• Avoid sharing private info. If you already did, change passwords or cancel cards just to be safe.
• Save messages or screenshots. In case you want to report it further or warn others.
• Talk to someone you trust. A friend can help you see things more clearly and support you through it.

And most importantly: don’t beat yourself up. These people are professionals at manipulating emotions. It doesn’t mean you’re naive—it means you’re human.

Take a break if you need to. Reconnect with your friends. Do something that makes you feel grounded again. And when you’re ready to try dating again, go in stronger, smarter, and more self-aware.

You’ve got this. 💛