Catfishing Capitals: The States Where Romance Scams Are Soaring in 2026

Online dating has become the new norm for meeting potential partners, but this digital quest for love comes with serious risks. Catfishing, where scammers create fake identities to lure victims into sham relationships, is a skyrocketing threat across the United States.

In 2022 alone, over 20,000 Americans reported falling prey to romance scams, collectively losing an astonishing $849 million, according to the FBI‘s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). As a cyber security expert with over a decade of experience investigating online fraud, I‘ve seen firsthand how catfishing has evolved from a niche con into a pervasive, highly profitable criminal enterprise.

To shed light on the current catfishing crisis, I analyzed the latest data from the IC3 and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to determine which states have the biggest problems with romance scams, who‘s being targeted, and how much money victims are losing. I‘ll also share expert insights on the tactics scammers use, red flags to watch for, and steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

States With the Highest Rates of Catfishing

Catfishing has surged nationwide since the start of the pandemic, but some states are bearing the brunt of this troubling trend. By examining the number of reported romance scams per 100,000 residents, we can see which states have the highest concentrations of catfishing activity.

Source: FBI IC3 2022 Internet Crime Report

As the data shows, Alaska and Nevada have the dubious distinction of being America‘s top catfishing hotspots, with nearly 12 victims per 100,000 residents each. The District of Columbia, while not a state, also ranks highly with 9 victims per 100,000.

What makes these states such attractive targets for romance scammers? Factors may include:

• Higher usage of dating apps and social media. States with more active online dating communities present a larger pool of potential victims.
• Economic conditions. Scammers often prey on people experiencing financial hardship, promising loans, investments, or business opportunities.
• Demographics. As we‘ll explore later, certain age groups are hit harder by catfishing. States with older populations may be more vulnerable.

However, it‘s important to note that no state is immune to the catfishing epidemic. Even in Louisiana, which has the nation‘s lowest rate at 3.8 victims per 100,000, the IC3 saw a 63% jump in reported romance scams from 2020 to 2021. Vigilance is crucial no matter where you live.

Financial Devastation by State

In addition to exposing victims to emotional trauma, catfishing scams can have ruinous financial consequences. Let‘s look at the states where romance fraud is costing victims the most money on average.

Source: FBI IC3 2022 Internet Crime Report

North Dakotans who fell for catfishing schemes lost a staggering $209,289 per incident on average, over triple the amount seen in the next highest state. This suggests scammers are honing in on a small number of extremely lucrative targets in North Dakota.

In general, states with higher costs of living and wealthier populations, such as California, New York, and Massachusetts, tend to have greater losses per victim. Scammers go where the money is.

Romance fraud can be financially catastrophic at any dollar figure, but some states are seeing more manageable losses. In Maine, the average victim lost $5,775, followed by $7,977 in Arkansas and $11,571 in New Mexico. Still, with catfishing reports rising in all 50 states, even a "small" loss can be devastating.

Age Groups Most Likely to Be Catfished

Catfishing impacts online daters of all ages, but criminals tend to focus their efforts on certain demographics.

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Databook 2022

According to the FTC, Americans between the ages of 30-39 reported the most romance scams over the past four years, followed closely by the 40-49 group. This aligns with the age brackets most likely to use online dating services.

However, while young and middle-aged adults are the most frequent catfishing targets, seniors typically suffer much greater financial losses.

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Databook 2022

The median loss for catfishing victims aged 80 and over was a shocking $32,000 in 2022, nearly double the amount lost by the 70-79 cohort. Seniors may be more vulnerable due to factors like isolation, cognitive decline, and accumulated wealth.

Interestingly, while the 18-29 age group reported the fewest number of romance scams, the FTC notes this demographic has seen a worrying spike in recent years. With younger generations increasingly finding dates via apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, scammers are adapting their tactics to exploit these platforms.

Catfishing Red Flags and Prevention Tips

So how can you avoid becoming a catfishing statistic? As a cyber security expert, here are the top warning signs I tell my clients to watch for in online relationships:

1. Professing love very quickly. Catfishers often use love bombing techniques to win a victim‘s trust and push for commitment after just a few chats. Be wary of anyone who seems too devoted too fast.

2. Refusing to video chat or meet in person. Scammers typically make excuses to avoid any visual contact that would reveal their true identity. If they claim their camera is always broken or that they‘re too busy with work to meet up, that‘s a red flag.

3. Requesting money or sensitive info. Once a scammer has hooked a victim, they‘ll inevitably ask for financial assistance, usually concocting a story about an emergency expense or a once-in-a-lifetime investment. They may also start fishing for info like your bank login or Social Security number. Never send cash or personal details to an unverified contact.

4. Pressuring you to leave the dating site. Many romance scammers insist on moving your conversation to text, email, or messaging apps, in part to evade the dating platform‘s security systems. While not always a sign of catfishing, use caution if someone tries to immediately go off-site.

5. Having a suspicious online footprint. Catfishers‘ social media profiles and photos often appear fake or copied from other sources. Do a reverse image search on Google to see if the person‘s pics are linked to different names or used elsewhere. Look for inconsistencies in their posts and friend lists.

In addition to being on high alert for these behavioral cues, you can protect yourself from catfishing by following smart digital hygiene practices:

• Limit what you share on dating profiles and social media. The less personal info you put out there, the less scammers have to exploit.

• Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts. This adds an extra login security step to prevent fraudulent sign-ins if your password is compromised.

• Use secure passwords and don‘t repeat them. Your dating site password should be strong and unique. Consider using a password manager to create and store complex logins.

• Keep your computer and phone updated. Regularly install software updates and patches to fix vulnerabilities hackers could use to infiltrate your devices.

• Install anti-malware software. Quality antivirus tools can detect and block many common catfishing tactics, like malicious links and keyloggers.

If you do fall victim to a romance scam, immediately cease contact with the perpetrator and report the incident to the relevant authorities:

• Notify the dating site or app where you met the scammer
• File a complaint with the FTC
• Report the crime to the FBI IC3
• Contact your local police if you‘ve suffered significant losses or feel unsafe

It‘s also crucial to secure your accounts and finances after a catfishing attack:

• Change your passwords, especially if you shared login info with the scammer
• Alert your bank and credit card company if you sent the catfisher money
• Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit reports to deter identity theft
• Scan your devices for malware and consider resetting to factory settings

Guard Your Heart and Data With ID Theft Protection

As catfishing crimes continue to rise across the U.S., investing in identity theft protection is one of the best ways to safeguard yourself. Leading providers like Aura, LifeLock, and Identity Guard offer a range of security features that can help prevent and mitigate the impact of romance scams.

Look for an identity theft protection solution that includes:

• Dark web monitoring: Scans hidden online black markets for your exposed personal info
• Social media monitoring: Watches your social profiles for signs of impersonation or takeover
• Credit monitoring: Alerts you to suspicious activity on your credit file that could signal new account fraud or identity theft
• Lost wallet recovery: Helps you quickly cancel and replace IDs and payment cards if your wallet is stolen
• Identity restoration: Provides 24/7 expert assistance to help you recover from identity theft and fraud

While ID theft protection can‘t stop catfishing attempts entirely, it can give you the tools and support you need to spot scams early and bounce back faster if you‘re victimized. When combined with a healthy dose of skepticism and the safety tips outlined above, these services are a smart way to defend your heart, wallet, and online persona.

Don‘t Let Catfishers Steal Your Confidence

Online dating can be a great way to find companionship in our increasingly digital world, but it‘s essential to be aware of the risks. As catfishing scams reach all-time highs across the country, take proactive steps to shield yourself from fraudsters looking to exploit your trust and generosity.

By learning to recognize red flags, practicing good cyber hygiene, and using tools like identity theft protection, you can greatly reduce your odds of becoming the next victim. Stay vigilant and listen to your instincts—if a potential partner seems too good to be true or raises any alarm bells, it‘s best to cut off contact.

No one deserves to have their heart or finances shattered by a romance scammer. With the right knowledge and precautions, you can match online with confidence, focusing your energy on forming real connections instead of fending off catfishing cons.