Help Protect Your Users From Digital Heartbreak
Romance scams are no longer just emotional tragedies; they’re a growing threat to consumer safety and business integrity.
Around 40% of UK adults currently use — or have at some point used — a dating app. 1 Unfortunately, fraudsters know this all too well and often prey on the emotional vulnerability that accompanies the experience. In fact, 43% of online dating app users have been targeted by a romance scam. 2 And worryingly, 26% of those have fallen victim to a fraudulent profile. 3
In 2025, UK consumers lost over £106 million to romance scams, with average individual losses reaching £10,774. 4 These scams often lead to deeper risks, including identity fraud, account takeover and deepfake impersonation.
As more people use dating platforms, they’re bound to encounter more threats. And with the Online Safety Act now enforceable, businesses must not only protect users but also meet regulatory obligations.
The rise of romance scams in online communities
According to the National Crime Agency, romance fraud has remained at elevated levels since the pandemic, with significant victim harm and increasing use of cyber-enabled tactics, such as social engineering and deepfake impersonation. 5 This risk hasn’t gone unnoticed by users: 66% of UK consumers said they’re concerned about being targeted by fraudsters when using online dating platforms. 6 These scams often start with emotional manipulation and quickly escalate into financial exploitation. Fifty-six percent of those targeted by fraudsters were encouraged to send money to someone online. 7
Fraudsters use social engineering tactics to build trust, then request money for emergencies, travel or investments. Once personal details are extracted, victims face further risks, including identity theft and synthetic fraud. Among those who fell victim, 50% lost money, 35% had their identities stolen and 31% had online accounts compromised, including bank accounts. 8
The evolution and escalation in fraud tactics highlight the need for platforms to move beyond basic checks and adopt more sophisticated identity verification strategies.
Navigating regulatory challenges: The Online Safety Act
The Online Safety Act 2023 introduced new responsibilities for platforms likely to be accessed by vulnerable people and children, including dating sites. Ofcom’s guidance requires businesses to conduct risk assessments (from July 2025), with penalties for non-compliance reaching £18 million or 10% of global turnover. 9
It’s no longer enough to rely on self-declaration or basic age checks. Platforms must implement robust age assurance measures, such as facial age estimation and document verification, to actively exclude underage users. Even platforms not designed for children must take steps to prevent underage access if there’s a reasonable likelihood of it occurring. 10
TransUnion Age Verification and Document Verification & Facial Biometrics solutions are designed to support these requirements while maintaining pleasant experiences. These tools help platforms verify age and identity without introducing unnecessary friction, a critical balance in the online dating space. In addition, facial biometrics provide an extra safeguard by helping platforms detect and defend against deepfake attempts, reinforcing trust in the verification process.
Building trust through friction-right onboarding
Consumers want seamless digital experiences, but they also want to feel secure. According to OnePoll’s consumer survey, 66% of respondents said they were concerned about being targeted by fraudsters when using online dating platforms.11 Interestingly, 48% said they’d be more likely to trust dating apps if identity verification were mandatory.12
TransUnion Device Risk Solution adds another layer of protection by identifying suspicious devices and behaviours at login and registration. Combined with identity proofing and age verification, it enables platforms to create onboarding journeys that are both secure and user-friendly.
TruValidate™ Identity Proofing Solution fuses age and document verification with advanced data insights. This friction-right approach doesn’t just reduce fraud, it helps build trust, improve conversion rates and support long-term user engagement. It applies documents checks only when necessary to balance security with smooth customer experiences.
Taking action: What businesses can do now
Romance scams and Identity theft are evolving — as are consumer expectations and regulatory standards. Platforms failing to act risk financial penalties, reputational damage and loss of user trust.
To stay ahead, dating platforms should:
- Conduct risk assessments in line with the Online Safety Act
- Implement layered identity and age verification strategies
- Use device intelligence to detect fraud signals early
- Educate users and build trust through transparent onboarding and ongoing monitoring
Fraud is a persistent and ever-changing challenge
As technology advances, so do fraud tactics. To stay ahead, businesses need a clear, multilayered approach to build a dynamic picture of identity.
Download our latest guide — A Multilayered Approach to Help Combat Digital Fraud — to explore how to balance fraud prevention with seamless customer experiences.
1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 Data from a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults aged 18+, commissioned by TransUnion and conducted 25 September – 2 October 2025 by OnePoll Research.
5 NSA 2025 – Fraud Threat Assessment – National Crime Agency
9 Keeping Users Safe: How to Meet Online Safety Act Age Verification Requirements – TransUnion (2025)
10 Age Matters eBook: page 7 – TransUnion (2025)
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