The list of the top 5 worst states for catfishing has been released and Nevada is No. 2.
Catfishing is the act of deceiving someone online. A “catfish” assumes a fake identity, starts an online relationship with someone, and gains their trust. With trust established, the catfish usually sets a trap that swindles people out of money.
Many experts believe the actual number of catfishing cases is much higher, but many people do not report because of embarassment.
The 2020 National Catfishing Report takes a look at the nationwide costs incurred by the falsification of online identities in the United States, as well as how it has evolved in the past year.
TOP 5 WORST STATES FOR CATFISHING
1. Alaska
2. Nevada
3. Wisconsin
4. Washington
5. California
Catfishing has claimed a toll of over $300 million in the past year, a significant increase from years prior. The advent and proliferation of dating apps/services have all but ensured that deceptive online behavior is here to stay – whether potential victims are aware of the dangers or not.
TIPS TO AVOID CATFISHING
1. Don't send money -- ever
2. Never give out sensitive information
3. Use a VPN
4. Do some online research
5. Beware of talking off the dating site
6. Watch for common themes
The 2020 National Catfishing Report was created by analyzing data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and combining it with corresponding U.S. Census figures. Results were then weighted and normalized to obtain relevant rankings and year-over-year changes.
