{"id":26545,"date":"2023-06-05T15:05:38","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T23:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/?p=26545"},"modified":"2023-06-06T15:09:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T23:09:33","slug":"watch-out-for-the-sugar-daddy-scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/watch-out-for-the-sugar-daddy-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Get Caught by the Sugar Daddy Cash App Scam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The defining feature of a sugar daddy romance is that it pays the bills.  That might explain why there are at least 2.7 million students<\/a> in the U.S. signed up to the sugar daddy dating platform Seeking Arrangement<\/a>.  After all, why date for free when there are loans, accommodations and textbooks to pay for?  Unfortunately, that arrangement is sometimes turned on its head through the sugar daddy cash app scam.  Find out what it is, who it targets and how to avoid it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Sugar Daddy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not to be confused with a paternal guardian, a sugar daddy is an affluent romantic partner who offers financial assistance to a \u201csugar baby\u201d in return for companionship, dates or simply sex.  Often associated with cash-strapped college students and younger people in search of a simpler dating dynamic, sugar daddy dating has risen in frequency since the Covid-19 pandemic.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The safest way for sugar babies to find a match is through a dedicated platform that does background checks on members.  Many people, however, find theirs through dating apps or social media, accepting unsolicited approaches that slide into their DMs.  That creates a perfect opportunity for romance scammers<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Sugar Daddy Scam Plays Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The sugar daddy scam is really just a fresh take on the advanced fee fraud.  The fake sugar daddy gets in touch with their target, establishes trust and offers to provide a large sum of money when prompted.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one version of the scam, the fraudster will actually make a payment using a bounced check or stolen credit card.  In the other, they will promise the transfer is imminent.  In return, they claim, they require a small payment from the victim, either to cover fees or as a proof of loyalty.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The victim makes the transfer, the scammer collects the funds and usually blocks the victim, just in time for the check to bounce or the credit card company to reclaim the initial transfer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Spot a Sugar Daddy Scam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sugar daddy scammers exploit the fact that most victims are too embarrassed to report them.  But most give themselves away before the scam can work, provided you know the telltale signs to look for: <\/p>\n\n\n\n