Snapchat makes it easy for catfishers to hide. With disappearing messages, no public friend list, and just a few permanent posts, someone who wants to stay anonymous can do it well.

Before you dive into streaks and flirty snaps, run through these signs. A minute of caution can save weeks, if not months or years of stress. Here are red flags you must look out for:

1. Low Snapscore = High Catfish Possibility

Snapscores reflect how many snaps someone has sent and received. If their score barely moves, their account is either brand new or they have little to no real human contact.

Ask for a live selfie. If they dodge or straight-up refuse, consider it as your first sign they’re not who they say they are.

2. Added You from “Quick Add” & You Don’t Know Them 

Sure, new friends can be fun, but it’s not always safe. People who add you through “Quick Add” are usually total strangers, even if you share a mutual friend.

Letting your account stay visible can attract catfishes. If you want fewer risks and random requests, go to Settings and turn off Quick Add.

3. Too Little or Too Many Details

If their username looks random (lots of numbers, weird combos, gamer-style names) or they don’t even bother with a Bitmoji, chances are it’s not a real person. 

Fake accounts get banned, so they’ll just keep making empty, recycled accounts. So if it looks off, or you just “have a feeling”, trust your instincts. A dead-looking profile usually means a fake one.

4. Sends Dark or Low-Quality Pics 

Catfishes usually avoid sending snaps. But if they do, it’s random stuff: objects, nature, media-uploaded pics, or low-quality snaps clearly taken off another phone. 

If the love of your life you met 3h ago on Snapchat keeps dodging live selfies, run their pics through ProFaceFinder. Check if the photo pops up elsewhere. If yes, congrats: you just caught a fake!

5. “Local”…But Never on the Map

Turning off Snap Maps isn’t shady; it’s normal for privacy. But if someone swears they live nearby yet always keeps it off, dodges meet-ups, or keeps changing their “where I live” story…that’s not privacy, that’s avoidance. 

Ask them to share their location or meet. If it sparks defensiveness or fake confusion, they’re probably just wasting your time. 

6. Always Dodging Video Calls Is Bad News 

Snapchat makes video and voice calling fun with filters and games. So if someone keeps dodging your requests without any real reason, it could be that it’s not them in their photos.

7. The Nude & Money Trap

Catfishes thrive on pressure. First, they push for nudes. Doesn’t matter if it’s two days or two months in, they’ll frame it as “proving trust.” 

Then come the money requests, often wrapped in guilt: “just this once”, “I’ll pay you back”, or “I really need your help”. Both are traps designed to lock you in. Once you give in, they’ll never stop asking.

So, don’t send nudes or money. If they push it, block and report immediately because you owe them nothing

ProFaceFinder: How to Know *For Sure* It’s a Snapchat Catfish

Got that gut feeling, but can’t prove it? Look their image up on ProFaceFinder Catfish Image Search. It goes deeper than other reverse image search engines. It spots stolen pics, AI-generated faces, and even tracks the same photo across:

• Social media: Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.
• Dating apps: Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, etc.
• Other sources: blogs, articles, public sites.

No need for picture-perfect uploads either, because blurry, cropped, or altered photos still work. However, better photos equal better results.

Pricing is simple: $6 for 2 searches or $10 for 7. A small price to pay for your peace of mind.

Great when you want to find dirt on someone, or to check who your kid is talking to. Don’t assume it’s their friend…they might be your age.

You’re a Minor on Snapchat and Dealing With a Catfish?

Snapchat’s biggest user base is teens and young adults. Over half are between 13–24 years old. Catfishes know younger users are more likely to overshare, trust too quickly, and miss red flags.

So, if someone is tricking you, threatening to leak private photos, or pushing you to meet up, and you suspect they’re hiding behind fake teen profiles or stolen pics, don’t keep it to yourself. 

Talk to someone you trust: a parent, a friend, or a teacher. And if it crosses into blackmail? Block, report, and walk away fast. You’re not powerless; the quicker you act, the less control they have.

Predators like Alexander McCartney proved this danger is real. He built fake teen accounts to gain trust and exploit actual kids. That’s why speaking up early matters.

At the end of the day, Snapchat should be fun, not stressful. Protecting yourself isn’t about being paranoid; it’s about being smart.

Here’s a quick list of things that slim the possibility of getting catfished:

• Turn off Quick Add and keep your location private.
• Don’t start streaks or overshare with strangers.
• Use tools like ProFaceFinder if you’re unsure about someone.
• And if things ever cross the line: block, report, and tell someone you trust.

Remember: catfishes are professional storytellers. They’ll use fake photos, receipts, or even voice notes to sound real. But no story is worth your safety.

You deserve real, genuine connections with people who respect you. So, before you snap, ask questions, set boundaries; if something feels off, walk away. Make protecting yourself online your priority! 💛