How to Tell If Your Partner Is Catfishing You (Warning Signs)

You met online. The conversation is amazing. They seem perfect—maybe too perfect. You've never video called. Every time you try to meet in person, something comes up. The photos they send look professional, like model shots. Your gut is telling you something's wrong.

You might be getting catfished. In 2025, catfishing is more sophisticated than ever. Scammers use AI-enhanced photos, stolen social media content, and elaborate backstories to create fake identities. But there are telltale signs—and ways to verify if your partner is real.

I'm going to show you exactly how to tell if your partner is catfishing you, what red flags to watch for, and how to verify their identity using reverse image search.

What Is Catfishing?

Catfishing is when someone creates a fake online identity to deceive others. This includes:

• Using stolen photos of someone else
• Lying about age, appearance, job, or location
• Creating entirely fictional personas
• Building romantic relationships under false pretenses
• Scamming victims for money or emotional manipulation

Major Red Flags Your Partner Is Catfishing You

1. They Refuse to Video Call

The #1 red flag. If they constantly have excuses for why they can't video call—broken camera, bad internet, shy, not ready—they're likely hiding their real appearance.

• Camera is always "broken"
• Will only send photos, never live video
• Avoids FaceTime, Zoom, or any live video platform
• Makes excuses every time you suggest it

2. They Won't Meet in Person

You've been talking for weeks or months, but they always have reasons they can't meet:

• Last-minute cancellations
• Always traveling or working abroad
• Family emergencies preventing meetups
• Financial problems preventing travel

3. Their Photos Look Too Perfect

• Professional-quality photos (likely stolen from models or influencers)
• All photos look like photoshoots
• No casual, everyday photos
• Limited number of photos (reusing same 5-10 images)
• Photos look like they're from different time periods

4. Their Story Doesn't Add Up

• Inconsistencies in their backstory
• Vague about personal details
• Can't provide specifics about their job, location, or family
• Stories change over time

5. Minimal Social Media Presence

• Recently created accounts (within last few months)
• Few friends or followers
• No tagged photos from other people
• No history or timeline of posts
• Only photos of themselves, no friends or family

6. They Ask for Money

This is a definitive sign of a scam:

• Emergency situations requiring financial help
• Needing money for travel to visit you
• Medical bills, family emergencies
• Investment opportunities or business deals

How to Verify If Your Partner Is Real

Method 1: Reverse Image Search Their Photos

This is the fastest way to catch a catfish. If they're using stolen photos, reverse search will reveal the original source.

Step-by-Step:

1. Save their profile photos
2. Upload to SocialFinder.ai
3. Check if photos appear on other people's profiles
4. Look for model portfolios, stock photo sites, or other people's social media

What Finding Matches Means:

• Photos on modeling sites = stolen from model
• Photos on stock photo sites = fake profile using stock images
• Photos on someone else's Instagram = stolen from real person
• No matches + verified story = likely real

Method 2: Request a Live Video Call

Be direct and firm:

• "I need to video call before we continue talking"
• Set a specific time and don't accept excuses
• Ask them to hold up a sign with your name or today's date
• If they refuse repeatedly, that's your answer

Method 3: Ask for Specific Photos

Request photos they can't fake or steal:

• Photo holding today's newspaper
• Photo making a specific hand gesture
• Photo at a specific location near them
• Photo with a unique object or sign you specify

Method 4: Check Their Social Media

• Look for years of post history
• Check for tagged photos from friends
• Look at interactions with other people
• Verify friends/followers are real accounts
• Check if account was created recently

Method 5: Google Their Details

Search their name, phone number, email, and location:

• Google their full name + location
• Search their phone number
• Search their email address
• Check LinkedIn for professional presence
• Search public records if they claim to own property or business

Types of Catfishing Scams

Romance Scams

Build emotional connection, then ask for money. Common excuses: medical emergencies, travel costs to visit you, business investments.

Revenge Catfishing

Someone pretending to be someone else to get revenge, gather information, or hurt you emotionally.

Insecurity Catfishing

People who don't think they're attractive enough use fake photos but genuinely want connection. Still deceptive and wrong.

Blackmail/Sextortion

Get you to send explicit photos, then threaten to share them with friends/family unless you pay money.

What to Do If Your Partner Is Catfishing You

Step 1: Stop Communicating

• Cut off all contact immediately
• Block them on all platforms
• Don't give them a chance to manipulate you

Step 2: Don't Send Money

• Never send money to someone you haven't met in person
• If you already sent money, report it as fraud to your bank
• File a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center

Step 3: Report Them

• Report their profile on the dating app or social platform
• File a report at ic3.gov (FBI)
• Warn others by sharing info on scam-reporting sites

Step 4: Protect Yourself

• Change passwords if you shared personal information
• Monitor bank accounts for unauthorized activity
• Be cautious about sharing information with future online matches

How to Avoid Being Catfished

• Require video calls within first 1-2 weeks of talking
• Reverse image search profile photos immediately
• Check their social media for authentic presence
• Google their phone number and email
• Meet in person within reasonable timeframe
• Never send money to someone you haven't met
• Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is

Frequently Asked Questions

How common is catfishing?

Very common. Studies show 1 in 10 dating profiles are fake. Romance scams cost victims over $500 million annually.

Can someone catfish without asking for money?

Yes. Some people catfish for attention, emotional connection, revenge, or because of insecurity—not for financial gain.

What if their photos don't show up in reverse image search?

No matches don't guarantee they're real—just that the photos aren't widely available online. Still require video calls and verify other details.

Should I confront them if I think they're catfishing?

Only if you want closure. Otherwise, simply block and move on. Confronting rarely leads to honesty and may invite manipulation.

Can catfishers use AI to fake video calls now?

Deepfake technology exists but is still uncommon in catfishing. Ask them to make specific gestures or hold up objects during video calls to verify it's live.

What's the best way to verify someone is real?

Combination approach: reverse image search their photos, require live video calls, check social media history, Google their details, and meet in person within reasonable timeframe.

Final Thoughts: Trust Your Instincts

If someone refuses to video call, won't meet in person, has a limited social media presence, or their story doesn't add up—trust your gut. It's better to walk away from a potential catfish than invest months in a fake relationship.

Legitimate people who are genuinely interested will be happy to prove they're real. Anyone who gets defensive, makes endless excuses, or pressures you to trust them without verification is showing you exactly who they are: a catfish.

Verify your match now: Upload their photo to SocialFinder.ai and find out the truth in 30 seconds.