Over a Quarter of UK Adults Avoid Online Dating Due to Romance Scam Fears, As Almost Half Call for Mandatory Identity Checks
● Two-thirds (66%) of online daters are worried about being targeted by fraudsters
● Men (54%) are more likely to be targeted by romance scams than women (31%)
● Half (50%) of those targeted by a romance scam have lost money, with an average loss of £1,848
● Almost Half (48%) of consumers would trust dating apps more if there were mandatory identity checks
More than a quarter (26%) of UK adults have stopped pursuing a potential romantic connection online due to fear of being scammed, according to new research from TransUnion, a global information and insights company.
The threat of romance scams – in which fraudsters use fake profiles to steal money or personal information – is expected to rise. This is because people are turning to dating apps for ‘cuffing season’, the time of year when single people actively seek romantic partners for the colder months. Two-thirds (66%) of online daters are worried about being targeted by scammers, and over two in five (44%) have encountered a suspected fraudulent dating profile. Meanwhile, almost one in five (17%) have fallen victim to a romance scam.
Madhu Kejriwal, CEO of TransUnion in the UK and Europe, said: “The threat of romance scams is growing, as fraudsters exploit the trust and vulnerability of online daters. Our research shows that these scams are not just causing financial losses, but also eroding confidence in forming genuine connections. Stronger identity checks on dating apps are urgently needed to keep consumers safe and help protect them from fraud.”
While almost a third (31%) of women who have used dating apps have encountered a romance fraud attempt, men (54%) are more likely to be targeted, as one in five (21%) have fallen victim. In fact, nearly a third (31%) of men say the fear of these scams has stopped them from pursuing potential romantic connections online.
Among those targeted by romance fraud, over half (56%) were encouraged to send money to someone they had matched with online, and 46% were asked to share their personal information. As fraudsters create fake profiles, nearly half (49%) matched with a profile using an alternative persona, while over a quarter (26%) matched with a suspected AI bot.
Of those who have fallen victim to a romance scam, half (50%) lost money, with an average loss of £1,848, while 7% lost more than £5,000. Over a third (35%) also reported having their identity stolen, and 32% had their online accounts compromised, including banking accounts.
Although dating apps have recently introduced age checks in the UK, almost half (48%) of UK adults would be more likely to trust these platforms if mandatory identity verification, such as ID checks and video verification, were implemented. Even among those who don’t intend to use dating platforms, 13% say they would be more likely to trust them if such measures were in place.
To help protect online daters, TransUnion shares tips to spot and avoid romance scams:
● Watch out for red flags: Requests for money, gifts, or personal details early in a conversation are warning signs of attempted fraud
● Look out for inconsistencies: Profiles using different names, locations, or personas across platforms can indicate fraud
● Be cautious with AI-generated content: Messages, photos, or voice notes that feel ‘too perfect’ or generic could be AI-generated
● Report suspicious activity: If you think you’ve matched with a fraudster, contact the dating platform immediately and report scams to Action Fraud or relevant authorities
● Protect your accounts: Never share banking passwords or one-time codes, and enable two-factor authentication on all accounts
● Regularly check your credit report: This will help you to understand and protect your financial information. It can also help you monitor for potentially fraudulent activity. If someone tries to use your identity, this is one of the places you’re likely to spot it. You can check your TransUnion credit report and score for free with Credit Karma, Credit Monitor from MoneySuperMarket, or TotallyMoney
Notes
Unless otherwise stated, all figures are from a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults aged 18+. The data was commissioned by TransUnion, and conducted between 9th September and 3rd October 2025 by OnePoll.
