Dating safely over 60

Why scams, not strangers, are the main risk

Most harm in online dating over 60 comes from someone who wants your money and never intends to meet you. Most dates are a coffee, a walk and a pleasant hour.

The figures are stark. In May 2026 Report Fraud said people across the UK had lost more than £102 million to romance fraud in a year, from 10,784 reports, up 29% on 2024. The average loss was £9,500. People aged 55 to 74 accounted for nearly half of all the money stolen.

A romance scam is a fake relationship built to get money. Scammers are patient and practised; being taken in says nothing about your intelligence.

The warning signs

Police Scotland lists the signs it sees most often. Any one of them is worth noticing; two or three together should stop you in your tracks.

• They declare strong feelings after only a few conversations.
• They want to move quickly from the dating site to email, phone or a messaging app.
• What they tell you does not match their profile, or their story changes.
• Their camera never works, and they always have a reason not to video call or meet.
• Their photos look like they belong to someone else.
• Sooner or later, there is a problem only money can fix: a medical bill, a customs fee, a stranded flight, or an "investment" they want to share with you.

The rule that matters most

Never send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to someone you have not met in person. Not as a loan, not to "help with the fare", not to invest. Report Fraud gives the same advice.

If you are unsure, tell a friend or a family member what is going on and listen to what they say. Scammers work hard to keep you from doing exactly that, which is itself a warning sign.

Safety at each stage, at a glance

What we check on Over 60s Singles, and what we don't

We review photos, not people's stories, so treat what members write as unconfirmed until you meet.

• Photos: every image is reviewed before it appears.
• Written details: what members say about their age, job, location or circumstances is not checked.
• Optional ID badge: members can choose to pass an identity check with LEM Verify (photo ID plus a selfie). Some people are required to do this to join, for example if they sign up through a VPN or their account is flagged. The badge confirms who someone is, not whether they are kind or honest.
• Shared network: profiles are shared with partner sites in the same network, so you may hear from people who joined through another site. Each profile shows where the member joined.

If a profile or message worries you, report it through the help centre with the member's username and what happened. The contact page explains how, and how it works sets out the rest of the site.

Before and during a date

Video call first, then meet somewhere public and busy, make your own way there and back, and tell someone where you are going. Our guide to video calls explains the set-up in plain steps, and meeting a date safely covers the day itself in detail.

If you are ever in danger, call 999. If you can't speak on a mobile, dial 999, listen to the operator, and press 55 when asked: the Silent Solution puts you through to the police.

If you think you have been scammed

1. Stop. Send nothing more, however urgent the next message sounds.
2. Ring your bank on the number on the back of your card or your statement. If you get an unexpected call about money, hang up and dial 159, which puts you through to your own bank. Stop Scams UK says it covers more than 99% of UK retail bank current accounts and cannot be faked by a scammer.
3. Report it. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
4. Report the profile through the help centre so it can be looked at.
5. Keep everything: messages, usernames, bank details you were given, dates.

Suspicious texts can be forwarded free to 7726, as the National Cyber Security Centre advises. If you sent a bank transfer, ask your bank about the reimbursement rules that have applied since October 2024.

Be wary of anyone who then contacts you offering to recover your money for a fee. The full guide to romance scams and how to report them goes through each step.

Who to contact, wherever you live

Someone to talk to

Being scammed, or even nearly scammed, can leave you shaken and ashamed. You don't have to sit with that alone. The Silver Line, run by Age UK, is a free, confidential helpline for people aged 55 and over, open 24 hours a day on 0800 4 70 80 90. For practical advice, the Age UK Advice Line is free on 0800 678 1602, 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.