Tips To Avoid Fraud on Online Matrimony Websites

Many things have changed over the years, there is a certain image in our mind, what to do and what not to doing, certain habits that we want to see in our partner. And finding that particular person is not an easy task these days. This is where these wonderful marriage sites come to our rescue. In India, online matrimony websites are very popular, offering their users a range of prospective matches based on their choices and preferences.

On the one hand, the Internet has made many things very easy for us, and on the other hand, there is no scarcity of scammers and scammers. Marriage scams are one of the most common frauds to trick people out of their savings. When you’ve met the perfect person, you don’t want to wait too long and start a new life together. But until you are certain of the person on the other side, you can easily get caught up in this cycle of marital cheating.

To help you avoid the same, here are best tips to protect yourself from frauds:

1. Go for verified matrimonial websites

Check the authenticity and reviews of matrimony websites before registering on matrimonial websites. Talk to your friends and family to know about reliable websites. If possible, try to talk to people who might have found their life partners through online marriage platforms. The site should be a secure website.

2. Create a new e-mail id for matrimonial websites

Create a new email ID for registering on matrimonial websites. Desirably, use e-mail as a source of communication and do not share your personal data namely, photo, phone number, house address, etc. on matrimonial websites.

3. Always do a background check of the prospective match

Conduct an end-to-end background check of the individual. Try to contact workplace, family, friends, relatives, neighbors or associates of a potential match to know more about him/her.

4. Always keep your family informed

Share details regarding the potential match with your family. Your family should be aware of any information you provide with a potential match found on a matchmaking website.

5. Always meet in public places

Always meet the prospective match in a public place since you never know what sort of person he or she is. Keep your family and friends informed regarding the meeting as well.

6. Ask enough questions

Ask appropriate questions while interacting with someone on a marital website to get to know the person better and discover any inconsistencies on his/her part.

7. Do not share personal information

Avoid talking to anyone on a marital website who pushes you to share your personal information. Never share your personal information, such as phone numbers, email addresses, and so on, until you are completely certain and have done a thorough background check.

8. Never share your sensitive personal photographs

Do not disclose any sensitive personal images while speaking with someone you met through a matrimony website. These images can be exploited by a potential scammer to blackmail and scam you. These photos may also be leaked on the internet. Never entertain any demand for money.

9. Do not transfer funds or offer financial help to the prospective match

The moment someone asks you for money citing some reason or the other, you should become alert and avoid any further communication with him/her without background checks.

10. Be cautious while dealing with NRI profiles

Always be cautious while dealing with ‘NRI’ profiles on matrimonial websites. Commit to marriage only after face-to-face meetings, especially the prospective match’s parents/relatives and validating any documents related to their address and employment abroad.

How to detect fraudsters on matrimonial websites?

1. If a person is hesitant to engage in a video chat or meet in person, he or she may be a fraudster as the profile photo on a marital website may not be of his/her.
2. A fraudster may express his/her love in just a short span of acquaintanceship
3. Fraudsters will call frequently from several numbers. He/she does not frequently provide a phone number to call back. Even if he/she supplies a number. They do not respond to the phone when you call. Afterwards, he/she calls you back from a different number.
4. If someone inquires about your financial condition during the first stage of conversation, consider it a red flag.
5. A scammer may not have a social media profile or may have few connections on social media.