Florida Among Top ‘Catfished’ States In America

When it comes to “catfishing” -- the sneaky business of creating a fake persona on social media or dating apps to reel in unsuspecting victims -- Florida is a bit of a pro. The Sunshine State has snagged the runner-up spot for the most catfished state in the U.S.

To find the most catfished cities in the United States, researchers at Emisil used Google Keyword Planner, reporting from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as data from other sources, to rank states by the number of victims per 100,000 residents, the number of romance scams reported annually, the total amount of money lost to the scams and the number of catfishing related searches, such as “How do I know if I’m being catfished.” 

“Catfishing” has become shorthand for an online scam where someone lures another into a relationship, often a romantic one, using a fake identity.

According to the study, Florida is second in the nation for financial losses to catfishing scams, totaling $70,483,554. It also ranks third for the highest number of annual catfishing reports at 1,738.

Topping the list as the most catfished state is California, leading with nearly $200 million lost to romance scams and the highest number of reported cases.

Social Catfish revealed that as of last February, Florida was still holding strong at number two for the most people scammed.

Many officials are warning people about romance scams. Unfortunately, this is something that targets people of all backgrounds and ages. With access to technology, many people are forming friendships and potential love interests through social media, mobile game apps, and online dating websites. While these platforms have worked for some, not everyone online has the best intentions. 

AARP has some handy tips for spotting and avoiding romance scams. When meeting new people online, be cautious to avoid falling for deceptive profiles. Use your browser’s image search feature on photos of your online interest to look for any red flags.

If you find yourself being asked for money by someone you’ve only encountered online, be alert, as this is a common tactic in scams. In such cases, AARP recommends cutting off contact immediately and reporting the incident to the platform where the initial interaction took place. Staying vigilant and following these precautions can help safeguard against the risks associated with online romance scams.

For more information on how to avoid potential romance scams, take a look at more tips here.