Q:I met someone at Connecting Singles. Where can I send my success story?
Q:Where do I view the Success Stories?
Q:What is Romance Scam?
Answer
A romance scam occurs when a stranger pretends romantic intentions, gains the affection of victims, and then uses that goodwill to gain access to their victims' money, bank accounts, credit cards, passports, email accounts, and/or national identification numbers or by getting the victims to commit financial fraud on their behalf.
The majority of scammers are located in Africa especially West Africa: Nigeria (Lagos), Senegal, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire; and Russia and Ukraine (for this reason, these areas are blocked from using ConnectingSingles, but some of them get around these blocks). This type of scam is very common on dating sites and you will likely receive email from a scammer on this site.
Fortunately, if you know the warning signs, then it is easy to spot the scammers.
Updated May 17, 2020|
7,867 Views
Q:Top 17 most Common Scams on a Dating Site?
Answer
Here are the most common scams:
Boss or Friend wants to meet you
Scammer says he/she got married on this site, and his friend or boss saw your profile and would like to your contact info. Once you send your contact info, you will never hear from them again. (this is just to get your contact info)
Asks you for intimate photos
Once you send the photos, the Scammer will use these photos to extort you for money (if you don't send money, he'll release your photos to the public or send them to your friends and family). Don't send photos that you want kept private.
Cam Girls
Scammer sends you a link to a website to view nude photos of them, when you get there, they will ask for your credit card and they will gather information about you or give you viruses.
Lottery Scam
Scammer tells you you've won a lottery and asks you to give your personal information and that you need to pay them for fees to collect your winnings.
Sending you gifts
Scammer wants to send you a gift but needs you to pay the fees to receive it. Once you pay the fees, you'll never hear from him again.
Check Fraud
Scammer asks you to cash a check and send the money. Two weeks later the check will bounce and you will have already sent the money, and you will owe your bank that much.
Stuck in a country, needs your help
Scammer is stuck in a country and needs your money/help to get them out. Once you send the money, you'll never hear from them again.
Needs money for airfare, gas, or bus
Scammer wants to fly or drive to meet you but needs money for plane ticket, train ride or gas. Once you send the money, you'll never hear from them again.
Needs your help to get out of trouble
Scammer is coming to see you. At the last minute something horrible happens, they get stuck and they need you to send them money to help them.
Any Hard Luck Story
Any hard luck story a scammer says to get you to send money is a scam.
Once you send the money, you'll never hear from them again.
Military Scam
Scammer is in the military and needs your money for some reason or another.
Scammers say they are in the Military because it helps them gain your trust.
Orphanage Scam
Scammer is running an orphanage and needs your donations.
Collecting Emails
Scammer asks for your email address right away or gives you theirs...they want to go offsite as soon as possible because eventually we will catch them and delete them from the site.
Translation website Scam
Scammer sends you a link to a translation site because they can't speak your language. They are in business with the transalation site and will try to keep you there as long as possible and it will cost you money.
Modeling Scam
Scammer tells you that you've been selected to be on a billboard or commercial, but needs all your personal information. (they just want your personal information, that is all)
Nanny Scam
Scammer wants to hire you to be their nanny and will pay you well. They find young women outside their country and will pay to fly them to their home. This may be a way to get your personal info, or if they do fly you there, they have other things in mind.
Sick Relative
Scammer has a sick relative that needs medical attention, and needs you to send money for the medical care. They say they will pay you back, but once you send the money, you'll never hear from them again.
One Ring Scam
Scammer gets you to call him, then keeps you on the phone for a long time, meanwhile you are racking up huge fees for the phone call. This scam is common in the Caribbean, especially Jamaica and Bermuda.
These types of scammers will leave their phone number on their profile, hoping you will call and rack up huge fees.
It's called One Ring Scam, because often the Scammer calls you on the phone from a number you don't recognize, letting it ring one time. You see it on your caller ID and call it back. The person who answers asks you to hold on, and while you are holding it racks up huge fees for the phone call.
Updated May 17, 2020|
72,587 Views
Q:Top 13 warning signs that a member is a Scammer?
Answer
Model Photos.
Scammers use photos of models from modeling sites or from magazines.
Far Younger
Scammers often contact people far older than they are. If the person contacting you is 20+ years younger than you are, it might be a scammer. Scammers often write flattering letters to people out of their age range, to those who have stated loneliness in their profile, or to recently widowed
Asks for your Email Address right away
Scammers often ask for your email address right away, or give you theirs. They want to communicate off site as soon as possible. Beware they may be building email lists.
Hard Luck Story
The member has a hard luck story, they make you feel sorry for them, and they ask for help or money, or get you to offer it because you are 'such a nice person'.
Offers you money
The member offers you money. They will do this to gain your trust. They will send counterfeit cashiers checks which will eventually bounce at your bank and get you into trouble.
Travels A lot
The member is from your country but travels for their job (working an oil rig, buying antiques, etc.). They have lost their ID and money and have been arrested or injured and urgently need money to get back home.
From Africa
The member is from Africa (especially West Africa, Lagos, Senegal, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire). There are large banks of computers with people paid to sit at the computer all day and scam innocent hard working people. It is a $100 million dollar business!! Africa is not within the Connecting Singles membership area, but sometimes they slip through registration.
From Russia/Ukraine
The member is from Russia or Ukraine. There are agencies who enter large numbers of fake profiles on dating sites. They use good looking pictures of women to scam lovesick men into sending them money to come to their country or to help them with their personal or family problems. The scam could also include credit card fraud, excessive charges to an affiliated travel company, etc. The photo is a fake and is not the person you are writing to. The girls are not real and you will never see the person you are writing to. Russia and Ukraine etc. are not within the Connecting Singles membership area, but sometimes they slip through registration.
Broken English
The member speaks or writes in very broken English. A lot of scammers will run their profiles through automated translators, and their profiles and emails will sound very strange.
Here is an example:
"I rather nice girl. At me brown eyes, light hair. My growth of 170 centimeters. I like to carry sexual frank linen of a house. As I very strictly look at work. I like to vary. I can be strict, impudent as I can be very gentle and tender. I view your structure on this site and find it good"
NOTE: Many scammers copy their profiles from other real profiles so they will sound perfect. They use model photos or photos sent to them by past victims. But their emails to you might still give it away.
Gives First and Last Name
Scammers give you a lot of personal information right away making you comfortable and willing to share your own personal info with them. They will often make up a first and last name and put it in their profile, to make you feel safe. They will often use common names like "Greg Williams" or "Jane Smith" or "Kenneth Cole". If someone puts their first name and last name in a profile, it is probably a scammer!
Here's an example (taken from a profile out of Nigeria):
"I am Henry Elvis from Takoma Park, Maryland, USA. I am really from Mahe-Victoria, Seychelles. I am Graduade of Anglia Polytechnic University, Essex,UK and also a Diploma Holder in Graphics Design from Brooks College, Utah,USA. I am cool and Handsome, Nice to be with and I like Travelling, Swimming and Playing Football and at the same time like surfing Internet and Programming, as part of my Job."
Wants to go offsite with you right away
Scammers wants you to leave the site to use personal email or IM because “it's so much easier” – may actually state they will not accept responses through this dating site.
Mail is poetic and generic
Mail to you is often poetic, sing-songy, pretty words with no meaning, general flattery, generic, does not directly address questions or concerns you have voiced or remarks you have made, uses a lot of seductive or pet nicknames for you instead of your name. They keep things general so they can send the same letter to many people (mass mail).
Sends URL
Scammer gives you the name of another website and asks you to meet them there (ask yourself why when you are both here on a free site) or they will invite you to view them on a webcam or porn site. Be aware that some of these sites are setup only to gather personal info. You may be asked to enter your email address, credit card information or other personal info. You may end up with spyware or a virus on your computer.
Updated May 17, 2020|
38,519 Views
Q:Top 26 Scammer Excuses to get your email address?
Answer
These are the top 25 Scammer Excuses to get your email address:
"Send me your email address because":
- mail here is too slow
- I don't come here often
- Too many scammers write me here
- Can get to know you better
- I don't give out my address, but I trust YOU
- I have urgent business info for you
- Site won't let me upload a photo
- I can't add photo due to my job
- I will send my photos on email
- I will send you nude photos
- I'm canceling today but want to know you
- I want to send you flowers or gift
- My friend wants to meet you
- If you love me you don't need site
- I want us to be exclusive
- I want to write only to you
- Age is just a number
- Distance is no problem when there's love
- I'm new and site is hard for me
- I'm serious about us
- Send me passport copy to prove you're real
- Been scammed before, prove you're real
- Prove you trust me
- for info to send you money
- for info to hire you for a job
Updated Dec 15, 2017|
2,569 Views
Q:How can I know if a member is who they say?
Answer
We do everything we can at Connecting Singles to provide a quality and safe environment for singles to meet. However, we do not do background checks, and we have no way of knowing if the information a member enters in their profile is actually true, or if their photo is really of them.
It is up to each member to use good sense and extreme caution when corresponding over the internet with people they do not know. Don't be pressured to give personal information about yourself or family. Your onsite mailbox is provided to protect your anonymity. Use it. Don't give out your personal email address early on.
Visit our scam pages to learn more:
What is Romance Scam?
What are the most Common Scams on a Dating Site?
What are the warning signs that a member is a Scammer?
Updated Nov 1, 2017|
3,646 Views
Q:They say they can't upload a photo... how likely that is true?
Answer
The photo excuse... If they want your email address to send you a photo with the excuse that they “can’t get a photo on the site”, or they “don’t know how to add a photo”, this may be a ploy to get your private email address. If they can email a photo to you… they can email (or mail) that photo to this site to be added for them.
Refer them to their Upload Photos page for details. Sharing your private email address may put you on mailing lists and subject you to loads of spam.
ConnectingSingles does not share your email address and NEVER sends spam.
Updated May 16, 2020|
1,464 Views
Q:Why would someone ask me to mail or IM them on another site, when mail & IM here is FREE?
Answer
Usually this means one of the following things:
- The person is only here to advertise for another site...usually a start up with no members.
- The person is a scammer who wants to get you off the site... away from scam reports by other members or site systems that will expose them.
- They want to take you to a site where they can charge you, collect personal information about you, or give you a computer virus.
Updated May 17, 2020|
953 Views
Q:Why is it bad to give out my email address when someone asks for it right away?
Answer
If a member asks you for your email address right away, it is suspicious. They may be building email lists, or they may be scammers who want to get you off of this site before we find and delete them.
Updated May 17, 2020|
2,168 Views
Q:Someone on the site is asking me for money. Should I help them?
Answer
No! Never send money or you WILL GET SCAMMED! If anyone requests (or offers) you money for ANY reason on a dating site,
it is a scam!.
If anyone on this site asks you for money, please
Report them to us so that we can remove them from the site.
Use the
" Report This Profile" link at the bottom of a member's Profile to report them.
Updated May 17, 2020|
1,113 Views
Q:So will I ever find 'the ONE' and who can I trust?
Answer
It takes time and patience to find 'the ONE'. In the meantime, try to enjoy your search and have fun finding friends. Don't rush! We recommend you look for someone living close enough to you to meet often and get to know each other slowly. No matter what they tell you, real love doesn't happen in 2 weeks of emailing. Think with your head, not only with your heart. Use the site to get acquainted. Use caution to stay safe.
Updated Nov 1, 2017|
2,306 Views
Q:The text is too small on the site. How do I make it bigger?
Answer
If you are having trouble viewing text on forum threads or site pages, there are a few things you can do- you can change the text size on this website, or you can change the screen resolution on your computer.
To change the text size on this web site:
If you find that the text (font) size on this Web Site is too big or too small, you can easily change it. You can make the adjustment in your web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, FireFox, Mozilla, etc).
- At the top of the browser window there is a menu bar. (File, Edit, View...)
- Click on View. (or click on Page in Vista)
- Click on Text Size.
- Adjust the text to make it larger or smaller.
To change your screen resolution in Windows:
- Click on the Start button, and select Settings and
then Control Panel.(or click Appearance and Personalization in Vista)
- From the Control Panel, select Display to open the Display Properties screen.
- Click on the Settings Tab.
- Move the slider to 1024 by 768 pixels.
- Click OK.
Updated May 25, 2020|
442 Views
Q:How do I refresh my browser?
Answer
The simplest way is that you can just press "F5" on your keyboard, or press the
button on your browser.
If that doesn't work, try pressing the Ctrl key at the same time while pressing your browser's
button.
If this doesn't work then you need to clear your cookies.
Clear your Cookies in Chrome:
- Press the icon in the upper right corner. Press "More Tools", and then choose "Clear Browsing Data..."
- Make sure that "Cached Images and Files" is checked (everything else can be unchecked) and press the blue "Clear Browsing Data" button
Updated Nov 13, 2017|
365 Views
Q:Do I need cookies enabled to use this website?
Answer
Yes, but only session cookies. We use session cookies for security and to identify users to our site. Session cookies are small TEMPORARY files stored on your computer while you browse a website. Session cookies are deleted from your computer when you logout and leave this website.
If you have problems logging in or staying logged into the site, it may be caused by the cookie settings on your computer.
Click here for directions for changing your cookies setting »
**IMPORTANT: If you have a FIREWALL or other security software, this software may be set to block cookies. Refer to the Help manual of the security software you are using to find out how to enable session cookies and allow Connecting Singles cookies to be set. Norton Firewall needs to be set to enable cookies, otherwise you will not be able to use this site.
Updated May 16, 2020|
448 Views
Q:How do I enable cookies on my browser?
Answer
Enabling cookies is simple. With your browser open, follow the directions below.
Internet Explorer 6.0
- Click on Tools on the menu bar
- Click on Internet Options
- Click on the Privacy tab
- Set slide bar to Medium or lower setting
- Click OK
Internet Explorer 5.xx
- Click on Tools on the menu bar
- Click on Internet Options
- Click on the Security tab
- Click on the globe that says Internet underneath it.
- Click on the Custom Level button
- A new window will open. Scroll down and look for the section on cookies. You will see a line that reads: Allow per-session cookies (not stored). Click inside the circle next to Enable below this sentence to enable session cookies.
- Click OK and then OK again.
Internet Explorer 4 or lower
You need to update your browser.
Click here to download Internet Explorer 6 »
Netscape 7.xx & 6.xx
- Click on Edit on the menu bar
- Click on Preferences
- Double click on Privacy & Security on the left side.
- Click on Cookies.
- Netscape 6.xx: Click on Enable cookies for the originating web site only
- Netscape 7.xx only: Click on Enable cookies based on privacy settings. Netscape 7.xx Click on Accept cookies normally.
- Click OK
Netscape 4
- Click on Edit on the menu bar
- Click on Preferences
- Click on Advanced on the left side.
- Click inside the circle next to Accept only cookies that get sent back to the originating server.
- Click OK
Older versions of Netscape
You need to update your browser.
Click here to download Firefox »
Firefox
- Click Tools along the top of the browser window.
- Select Options
- Click on the Privacy icon.
- In the Cookies section, select the privacy settings that best fit your needs.
The following are the settings you can choose: Allow sites to set cookies (with or without "for the originating web site only")
- To accept cookies for ConnectingSingles.com, do the following:
- Click Exceptions in the Cookies section.
- Put ConnectingSingles.com in Address of Web site
- Select Allow to accept the site.
- Click OK.
- Close ALL browser windows, then open Firefox and visit http://www.connectingsingles.com
Macintosh
Internet Explorer 5 (MacOS X)
Choose
Preferences from
Explorer menu
Select
Receiving Files option
Select
Cookies
Choose an appropriate setting.
Internet Explorer 5 (MacOS 9)
Choose
Preferences from
Explorer menu
Select
Receiving Files option
Select
Cookies
Choose an appropriate setting.
Mozilla
Choose
Preferences from the
Edit menu.
Select
Privacy & Security Select
Cookies.
Choose an appropriate setting.
Netscape Navigator 7
Choose
Preferences from the
Edit menu.
Select
Privacy & Security Select
Cookies.
Choose an appropriate setting.
Netscape Navigator 6
Choose
Preferences from the
Edit menu.
Select
Privacy & Security Select
Cookies.
Choose an appropriate setting.
Safari 1.0 (MacOS X)
Choose
Preferences from
Safari menu
Select
Security icon
Cookie settings are shown in window
Choose an appropriate setting.
Opera
Click on the
File menu on the Opera tool bar
Go to
Preferences at the bottom of the
File menu
Click
Privacy and select one of the available options.
Personal Firewall/Security Software Users
NOTE: Norton Firewall needs to be set to enable cookies, otherwise you will not be able to use this site. ZoneAlarm and other personal firewalls and security software may be set to block cookies. Please refer to the HELP manual of the security software you are using to find out how to enable session cookies and allow Connecting Singles cookies to be set. If you are unsure that the personal security software is causing a problem, temporarily disable it and try logging in again. If you are able to log in with the security software disabled, then you'll need to modify the cookie settings located in your particular security software package to allow it to accept cookies.
After enabling cookies, if you still can't login
Try the following things:
- Delete all your cookies
- Check to see that your computer system time is accurate. Cookies are time sensitive and may not work if your computer date is incorrect by a large amount.
- Check your firewall and make sure it accepts cookies
- Turn off any third party programs or control panels that automatically reject cookies.
- Try opening a new browser window, and typing in http://www.connectingsingles.com in the address bar.
- If that still doesn't work, as a last resort:
Upgrade your browser.
Click here to download Internet Explorer 6 » or
Click here to download Firefox »
Contact Us if you still have problems »
Updated May 16, 2020|
589 Views
Q:Cookie Login Problems
Answer
If you login, and then get repeatedly logged out, or taken back to the login page, with no error message. Then this might be caused by cookie settings on your computer. Cookies are required in order to use this site. Please try the following to fix this:
- Change your browser settings to accept cookies. Click here for directions on how to enable cookies »
- Delete All Cookies on your computer (click Tools, Internet Options, then Delete Cookies)
- Clear your cache (delete temporary files)
- Check to see that your computer system Date and Time is accurate. Cookies are time sensitive and may not work if your computer date or time is off by a large amount.
- Check your firewall and make sure it accepts cookies **
- Turn off any third party programs or control panels that automatically reject cookies.
- Open a new browser window, and type in http://www.connectingsingles.com in the address bar (don’t use a link in an email or a bookmark to access the site). Have only one browser window open to the site at a time. Log in only once.
- Try again to login.
**IMPORTANT: If you have a FIREWALL or other security software, this software may be set to block cookies. Refer to the Help manual of the security software you are using to find out how to enable session cookies and allow Connecting Singles cookies to be set. Norton Firewall needs to be set to enable cookies, otherwise you will not be able to use this site.
Updated May 16, 2020|
1,421 Views
Q:Do I need JavaScript enabled to use this website?
Answer
Yes. The website works faster and more efficient with JavaScript. Your browser probably has JavaScript enabled unless you have changed browser settings to disable it.
Click here for directions to enable Javascript »
Updated May 16, 2020|
402 Views
Q:How do I enable JavaScript on my browser?
Answer
Enabling JavaScript is simple. With your browser open, follow the directions below.
Firefox
- Click on Tools on the menu bar
- Select Options then click on Content
- Make sure Enable Javascript is checked and click OK
Internet Explorer 7 & 6.xx & Internet Explorer 5.5
- Click on Tools on the menu bar
- Click on Internet Options
- Click on the Security tab
- Click on the globe that says Internet underneath it.
- Click on the Custom Level button
- A new window will open. Scroll down and look for the section on Scripting. You will Active Scripting. Click inside the circle next to Enable
- Click OK and then OK again.
Internet Explorer 5.xx
- Click on Tools on the menu bar
- Click on Internet Options
- Click on the Security tab
- Click on the globe that says Internet underneath it.
- Click on the Custom Level button
- A new window will open. Scroll down and look for the section on Scripting. You will see 3 lines that read: Active Scripting, Allow paste options via script, and Scripting of Java Applets. Click inside the circle next to Enable for all three categories to enable JavaScript.
- Click OK and then OK again.
Internet Explorer 4.0
- Click on View on the menu bar
- Click on Internet Options
- Click on the Security tab
- Click on Custom
- Click on Settings
- Scroll down to locate Scripting
- Click Enable for Active Scripting
- Click OK, and then click the Reload button
Internet Explorer 3.xx
- Click on View on the menu bar
- Click on Options
- Click on Security
- Check the box next to Enable Java Programs
- Click OK, and then click the Reload button
Netscape 4.0 or higher
- Click on Edit on the menu bar
- Click on Preferences
- Click on Advanced on the left side.
- Check the boxes next to Enable Java and Enable JavaScript.
- Click OK
Netscape 3.0
- Click on Edit on the menu bar
- Click on Options
- Click on Network Preferences
- Click on Languages
- Check the boxes next to Enable Java and Enable JavaScript
- Click OK
Updated Jun 20, 2015|
389 Views
Q:What else should I know?
Answer
Like most websites, this website runs most efficiently with the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox. In general, it is a good idea to keep your browser current, because your web browsing will be faster and more efficient, and you will spend less time waiting for pages to load.
Updated Oct 30, 2017|
404 Views
Q:Auto-Fill in Chrome
Answer
Chrome Auto-Fill is designed to save you time when filling out forms.
Otherwise known as Auto-Complete, it is designed to save you time from having to type in things that you've typed before.
As soon as you start typing your email address into one of our forms, you may get a dropdown from Chrome with your email address in it.
If you click on your email address in this dropdown, Chrome will fill in the rest of the boxes on the form with whatever info it has for you. The info they have for you could be full name, email address, mailing address, etc.
This information is obtained by Chrome, when you've filled out other forms in the past.
We do NOT have that info on you.
This can happen on our Report Abuse page. When you start to type in your email, and select it in the Chrome dropdown box, it may put your FULL NAME into the username box. Because Chrome thinks that box is asking for your Full Name.
There is likely a way to disable Auto-Fill in your browser, but you may want to keep it for convenience.
To stop that from happening on CS report forms, always type in your Email Address manually.. do NOT click the one in the drop down.
Updated May 17, 2020|
281 Views