Dating app scams are under renewed scrutiny in the United States after a Senate investigation found that 1.5 million fraudulent accounts matched with users on Tinder and Hinge during the first nine months of 2025.
The October 2026 report raised concerns about how dating platforms detect and remove fake profiles, particularly those used to target people looking for romantic relationships.
The investigation, titled Outmatched: Tinder, Scammers, and Match Group’s Efforts to Catch Up, found that nearly 500,000 of the identified scam accounts obtained users’ external contact information.
This raised concerns that scammers could move conversations away from dating platforms, making it harder for users to report suspicious behaviour or receive protection from the apps.
Tinder and Hinge Face Questions Over Fake Profiles
The investigation examined the safety measures used by Tinder and Hinge, which are owned by Match Group.
According to the report, Tinder’s scam detection systems had not undergone fundamental updates for years, raising questions about whether the platform’s safeguards were keeping pace with changing fraud tactics.
Romance scammers often create fake profiles, build trust with other users and eventually seek money or personal information. Moving conversations to private messaging platforms can also make it harder for dating apps to monitor suspicious activity.
The findings have renewed calls for dating companies to improve their detection systems and respond more effectively to reports of fraudulent accounts.
US Lawmakers Push for Scam Warnings
US lawmakers have also advanced legislation requiring dating platforms to notify users when they have interacted with an account that is later banned for fraud.
The measure aims to help users recognise potential scams and take precautions if they have already communicated with a fraudulent profile.
The issue has wider financial implications. Romance scams have cost Americans billions of dollars over recent years, according to reports from the Federal Trade Commission.
For dating app users, the investigation is a reminder to be cautious when interacting with strangers online. Requests for money, reluctance to verify identity and pressure to move conversations away from a dating platform can be warning signs.
Users should also avoid sharing sensitive personal information with people they have not verified.
Dating Apps Face a Trust Problem
The investigation comes as some singles reconsider their use of dating platforms.
A 2026 Harris Poll found that 67% of single Americans were not using dating apps, while 77% felt modern dating had become more like a marketplace than a search for romance. The poll also found that 80% viewed meeting someone in real life as appealing.
The findings suggest that dating platforms face challenges beyond matching users. Safety concerns, user expectations and the quality of online interactions may all influence whether people continue using these services.
For Tinder, Hinge and other dating apps, improving fraud detection and communicating clearly with users could be important steps towards rebuilding trust.
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