New Study Ranks Where You’d Most Likely Get “Catfished” in the U.S.

The website SocialCatfish.com examined data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission released earlier this year to rank states with the most “catfish” dating scams.

Catfishing is defined as luring someone into a relationship using a fabricated online persona. 

California and Texas were ranked numbers one and two, respectively, for having the most catfish victims. California and 3,110 victims who lost more than $120 million. The 1,602 Texas victims collectively lost $42.1 million. Florida came in number three with more than 1,600 victims and over $40 million lost. 

Michigan and New York rounded out the top five. Michigan’s 572 victims lost $28.6 million, while 1,103 New Yorkers were scammed out of $26.2 million. 

The study showed that Wyoming, Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Vermont are the least targeted states, according to SocialCatfish.com.

To avoid being scammed, meet or video chat with the person first, do a reverse image search with someone’s photos, and take things slow. Catfish are highly active on social media and also on dating apps.

American lost more than $304 million in internet romance schemes in 2020, up from the previous year where victims were bilked out of $201 million.