Visual Description
ID: Renee is wearing black eyeglasses and sweater top with multiple black and white stripes, brown stripes and fuzzy pattern background. Black screen background.
📢 Welcome to Catfishing video series and learn more about what is catfishing and what can be done.
Part One: Introduction to Catfishing
Transcript:
Today I would like to talk about the word catfishing.
You may think of going fishing to actually catch a catfish.
That is not what I mean.
Catfishing means a person who creates a fake name/fake profile and finds a “perfect” picture to add on their profile.
Once that is all set, the scammer is ready to go online like FB, IG, Tik Tok, etc. to find people.
Once they connect to a person, they will build a relationship with them & get them to fall in love with the scammer.
Once they are in a “relationship” the scammer will ask for your money, will ask for your personal information, or they will just do this for fun/entertainment.
That is called catfishing: online fake relationships.
[SLIDE content: If you have any questions or more information, contact GLAD
☎️ 323-892-2225 VP
Thank you for watching!
Visual Description
ID: Renee is wearing black eyeglasses and sweater top with multiple black and white stripes, brown stripes and fuzzy pattern background. Black screen background.
📢 Welcome to Catfishing video series and learn more about what is catfishing and what can be done.
Part Two: How to Spot a Catfish
Transcript:
If you have fallen in love with someone that you never met online or know someone who is in love with someone that they never met, how can we be sure that they are not being catfished?
Here are some red flags/warnings for you:
First red flag: look at their profile picture, is it “perfect” with no flaws.
Another red flag: you request to video chat this person or meet in person or show some proof of their identity and they refuse to do any of those things, then it’s possible this person is fake.
Another warning sign: the person falls in love with you too fast and says “I love you” “I want to marry you” “You are beautiful” “you are the most important person in the world. They will say anything to make you feel loved and valued.
Another red flag is when the person keeps changing their stories. If you ask them a personal question, they become defensive or evasive.
Most important danger warning sign: they will ask for money, gift cards, personal information.
These are the signs that you need to watch out for in catfishing.
[SLIDE content: If you have any questions or more information, contact GLAD
☎️ 323-892-2225 VP
Thank you for watching!
Visual Description
ID: Renee is wearing black eyeglasses and sweater top with multiple black and white stripes, brown stripes and fuzzy pattern background. Black screen background.
📢 Welcome to Catfishing video series and learn more about what is catfishing and what can be done.
Part Three: How to Report Online Scammers
Transcript:
If you find out you are being scammed and want to report it, you can.
If it is from FB, you can report it by clicking profile and look for find support or report, then drop down menu should show fake account or scam and report it there.
If you are involved in dating app, you can always click on profile to report to catfishing or scam. If you have been communicating via email, you can report that email under “phishing”.
If you lose money, you will need to contact your bank institution and local law enforcement.
You can also report to Federal Trade Commission “FTC” or FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
If you have sent money thru PayPal or Western Union or other companies, you will need to report to those companies as well.
If you purchase gift cards like Amazon, Google play, etc. you can report to those companies.
Ok so now, how can you protect yourself from future scammers? You will need to change your password often, set up a 2-step authentication factor, and check your credit background to ensure that the scammer did not make any purchases without your authorization.
If you are overwhelmed with reporting and not sure what to do, contact GLAD. We are here to work with you on these steps.
[SLIDE content: If you have any questions or more information, contact GLAD
☎️ 323-892-2225 VP
Thank you for watching!
Visual Description
ID: Renee is wearing black eyeglasses and sweater top with multiple black and white stripes, brown stripes and fuzzy pattern background. Black screen background.
📢 Welcome to Catfishing video series and learn more about what is catfishing and what can be done.
Part Four: How to Approach Someone who is being Catfished
Transcript:
I know it can be tough and challenging to confront someone you know is being catfished.
So how can we approach them? Let me share some tips:
First, gather as much evidence as possible.
For example, find where the pictures originally came from, all email correspondences, etc.
When you have everything collected, sit down with this person.
First let them know that you care about them and then tell them you have a concern.
Show them the evidence you collected and if the victim starts realizing that they have been scammed, please let them know firsthand that it is NOT their fault.
Do not accuse them or judge them. Show them compassion and let them know that there are others who went thru the same thing.
The next thing you should do is cut the scammer off from the victim. Be sure the scammer has no contact with the victim and change their password.
If that person lost money, be sure to help them report to the bank, social media and any companies that were affected.
Provide them with emotional support and help them with the healing process.
If the person is traumatized and has a hard time letting go, please connect them with professional help.
GLAD provides free mental health counseling services. Have the person contact GLAD. Thank you for being a good friend.
[SLIDE content: If you have any questions or more information, contact GLAD
☎️ 323-892-2225 VP
Thank you for watching!