Talk to a real person
AARP Fraud Watch Helpline
Call 877-908-3360 to speak with a trained fraud specialist. Free, open to anyone (not just members), and they also host online support groups for scam victims.
Trust & Safety
Safety Tips for Rural Online Dating: Protect Your Heart & Wallet
Plain, practical advice for country singles 55+. If a new match feels off, this page will help you sort sincere from suspicious - in about the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.
Spotting Romance Scams Before They Hurt
A romance scam is a stranger who builds a warm, emotional bond online and then asks for money. The numbers are sobering: adults 60 and older lost $389 million to romance scams in 2024 (FBI Internet Crime Report), and a 2026 AARP survey found that 1 in 6 adults know someone who was hurt this way. Over half of incidents are never reported, usually out of embarrassment. You have nothing to be embarrassed about - scammers are professionals who target good-hearted people on purpose.
$389M
Lost by adults 60+ to romance scams in 2024
FBI IC3, 2024
1 in 6
Adults know someone hurt by a romance scam
AARP, 2026
55%
Of romance scam incidents never get reported
AARP, 2026
Scammers build an emotional connection first, then request money for a medical emergency or travel. Today they often pair it with a crypto investment pitch. - Darius Kingsley, head of consumer fraud, JPMorgan Chase
Four Ways to Verify Someone Is Who They Say
Before a second date - and absolutely before any money or personal detail changes hands - run through these four simple checks. They take about ten minutes total.
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01
Reverse Image Search
Right-click their profile photo, save it, and upload to Google Images. If the same face belongs to a model, a soldier, or someone in another country, you have your answer.
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02
Google Their Full Name
Diane, a member in Ohio, Googles every match before a second date. A real person usually has a church directory listing, an obituary for a late spouse, or a small-town news hit. Zero results is a yellow flag.
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03
Do a Live Video Call
A real match will say yes. A scammer will have a broken camera, a sudden work trip, or a story about why the lighting is bad. No video = no second step.
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04
Use Our Verified Badge
Every Seniors Dating member must complete photo + ID checks before going live. Look for the green Verified badge on the profile - it means our team has already done the heavy lifting.
Red Flags That Should Make You Pause
None of these alone proves a scam, but two or more together is your cue to slow down and call a friend before you write another message.
The warning signs we see most often
- The pen-pal pattern. They want to write for weeks or months but will not talk on video or meet in person. They claim the camera is broken or they are "stationed overseas."
- Love-bombing too fast. "My soulmate" within a week. Marriage talk before you've heard their voice.
- Always unavailable. Oil rig, military deployment, international doctor, missionary in Africa - classic scammer roles.
- A sudden crisis. Medical emergency, stuck at customs, can't access their own bank - and you're the only person who can help.
- Money in any form. Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, "just hold this check for me." All scams.
- Moving you off the platform fast. They want to text, WhatsApp, or email within hours. Our scam filters don't work once you leave.
- Grammar that shifts. Beautiful English one day, broken the next - often a sign of multiple people running one fake profile.
Always Video Chat Before You Drive an Hour
Rural dating often means a long drive for that first coffee. Spare yourself the gas money and the disappointment by putting a 15-minute video call in between the messaging and the meeting. A real person will welcome it. Keep a plain backdrop behind you, set the call for daylight hours, and don't be shy about ending early if something feels off.
If they won't turn on their camera in three weeks of chatting, they are not going to turn it on in three months. Trust that.Seniors Dating Trust & Safety team
Meeting in Person: Simple Rules That Work
When you're ready to meet, these six practices - recommended by senior safety experts and used by our happiest members - keep first dates calm and in your control.
- Meet in a public place. A diner, a farmers market, a church coffee hour, a park bench. Never a home address - yours or theirs - on date one.
- Drive yourself. Don't let a new match pick you up. Your own vehicle is your ticket home if you need it.
- Tell a safety buddy. Share where you'll be, who you're meeting, and when you expect to be home. Ask them to call you 45 minutes in for a check-in.
- Keep alcohol modest. Two drinks maximum on a first date. Clear heads make clear choices.
- Keep first meetings short. One hour for coffee is plenty. If it's going wonderfully, you can plan a longer second date.
- Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it is wrong. Leave politely. You owe no one a full date.
Never, Ever Send Money to Someone You Haven't Met
The one rule that stops almost every romance scam
No real partner will ask you to wire money, buy gift cards, pay a customs fee, invest in crypto, or "just hold" a check - especially before you have met face to face. Period. No medical emergency, no plane ticket, no frozen bank account justifies it.
If they ask, they're a scammer. Screenshot the message, stop replying, and report them to us in one click. Our team reviews every flagged profile within 24 hours.
Official Help: FBI, FTC & AARP Resources
If you've been targeted - or if a friend has - these are the three most helpful places to turn. All are free.
File a report
FBI Internet Crime Center (IC3)
Report any romance scam or suspicious online activity at ic3.gov. Even small reports help agents track large rings targeting seniors across state lines.
Federal help
FTC Consumer Protection
File complaints about romance scams, subscription traps, and identity theft at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps the FTC pursue enforcement actions.
Report inside Seniors Dating: Every profile has a small flag icon at the top-right. One click alerts our U.S. trust & safety team, who respond within 24 hours. You can also call us Monday through Saturday - see our contact page for the number.
Safety Questions from Real Members
Is FarmersOnly a good dating site for safety?
FarmersOnly is legitimate and has been online since 2005, but its verification is lighter than newer senior-focused platforms. For rural singles 55+, we recommend a site with required photo and ID checks, active scam filters, and U.S. phone support. That is how Seniors Dating was built.
Is FarmersOnly safe to use?
FarmersOnly is generally safe in the sense that it is a real company with real members, but like any open dating platform it has reported scammer activity. Always run through the four verification steps above - reverse image search, Google, live video, and check for a verified badge - regardless of which site you use.
What if I already sent money to someone online?
You are not alone and you are not at fault. Stop contact immediately, save all messages and payment records, call AARP Fraud Watch at 877-908-3360, file a report at ic3.gov, and contact your bank or the gift card issuer - some funds can still be recovered if you act within 24-48 hours.
How does Seniors Dating protect me from scammers?
Three layers: required photo and ID verification before any profile goes live, 24/7 automated scam filters tuned for 55+ reader behavior, and a U.S.-based human team that reviews every flagged profile within 24 hours. Our how to spot romance scams post goes deeper.
Can I bring a friend to my first date?
Absolutely. Many members arrange first meetings at an event a friend is also attending - a county fair, a church picnic, a farmers market. Having a safety buddy nearby is a sign of good sense, not distrust.