Security News > 2022 > June > LGBTQ+ community warned of extortionists abusing dating apps
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has warned this week of extortion scammers targeting the LGBTQ+ community by abusing online dating apps like Grindr and Feeld.
The FTC advises LGBTQ+ dating app users not to share explicit photos with people they've just met online or if they're not 100% sure who is on the other end of the chat.
Don't share personal info with people you just met on a dating app: that includes cell phone numbers, email addresses, and social media profiles.
Online dating platforms have also warned their users in the past to be aware that extortion scams might target them.
Grindr warns that "Social media and dating apps are a prime target for these bad actors, as scammers seek to exploit people looking to make meaningful connections."
In September, the FBI warned of a massive spike of online romance scams that caused Americans to lose over $113 million since the start of 2021.