Catfishing refers to when a person takes information and images, typically from other people, and uses them to create a new identity for themselves. In addition, catfishing often involves luring people into a relationship to learn information they can use against the victim. Once they have enough information to embarrass the target or attempt to destroy their reputation, they release the information given to them in trust.

WHY DO PEOPLE CATFISH?

The reasons are never good. Some catfish are lonely, have poor self-esteem and want a relationship with someone they don’t believe would be interested in them in real life

Some catfish are out to troll or harass their victims, or to get revenge on someone.  Catfishing   doesn’t mean it has to be a stranger it can be someone you actually know. Sometimes, catfishing is really just another form of cyberbullying.

Other times, catfish want to scam money from their victims, or the catfishing is the first step in a plan to kidnap or physically abuse them.

SIGNS YOURE BEING CATFISHED

• They don’t pick up the phone.
• Their online profile is minimal and they don’t have many followers or friends.
• Their story doesn’t add up.
• They don’t share selfies or real life photos.
• They are reluctant to meet in real life or video chat.
• They make plans with you but repeatedly cancel.
• They ask you for personal information but keep information about themselves vague.
• They ask you for money.
• They share strong feelings for you quickly.
• They start asking you for nude or semi nude pictures.
• Something just feels wrong or they seem to good to be true

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING CATFISHED

Catfishing is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences. If you think you’re being catfished, it’s important to trust your gut and take action. Remember, you deserve to be in an honest and healthy relationship so don’t be afraid to end things if something doesn’t feel right.

If you suspect you’re being catfished, the best thing to do is to confront your partner about it. If they’re honest with you, then great, but if they’re not, then it’s time to move on. No one deserves to be in a relationship with someone who isn’t being completely honest with them so trust your gut and do what’s best for you.

The easiest way to end a catfish relationship is to simply stop all communication with the person. This means blocking their phone number, email address, and social media accounts and report to ActionFraud. It might be painful at first, but it’s important to remember that you’re not obligated to this person and that you deserve better.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s also important to reach out to your friends and family for support. They can help you through this difficult time and provide you with the emotional support you need to move on.

Finally, make sure to change your passwords for all of your online accounts. This includes email, social media, banking, and any other account that the catfish might have access to. By changing your passwords, you can protect yourself from further damage.

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