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Fake or misleading profiles have overtaken ghosting as daters’ biggest frustration. Here’s how to spot a fake dating profile, and why those checks matter even more for ADHD and autistic daters.

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In short

To spot a fake dating profile, look for photos that seem too polished or don’t match each other, a bio that’s vague or generic, someone who pushes to move off the app quickly, and anyone who avoids a video call or asks for money. A new survey published on 10 November 2026 found fake or misleading profiles have overtaken ghosting as daters’ biggest frustration. For autistic and ADHD daters, who tend to take people at their word, a few simple checks make online dating feel much safer.

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What did the new survey find about fake dating profiles?

On 10 November 2026, Stud or Dud, a US company that makes an AI tool for researching potential dates, published its Modern Dating Confidence Report. It surveyed 1,000 people in the US between 23 and 26 September 2026.

The headline findings:

  • Fake or misleading profiles are now the top dating frustration (46%), ahead of ghosting (30%).
  • 57% have caught a date lying.
  • Only one in five completely or mostly trust what they read on a dating profile.
  • 74% have researched someone before meeting them, rising to 85% of Gen Z and Millennials.
  • 42% have cancelled a date because of something they found while researching the person.
  • 88% say they’d be more likely to go on a date if they could verify the person first.

It’s a US sample from a company that sells a verification tool, so it’s worth reading with that in mind. But the message is clear: people haven’t stopped believing in love, they’ve stopped believing everything they see on a profile.

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Why are fake profiles a bigger worry for autistic and ADHD daters?

Many neurodivergent people are honest, direct communicators who expect others to be the same. That’s a strength in a relationship, but it can make it harder to spot when someone online isn’t who they say they are.

Research backs up the risk. A 2026 study in Autism in Adulthood, Navigating Online Dating: Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Connections, Disclosure, and Safety (Gibbs et al.), surveyed 102 autistic adults who had used dating apps. It found:

  • 83% had met someone in person through a dating app, so apps really can work.
  • 40% had received unwanted sexually explicit messages, and 43% reported verbal abuse.
  • Women and non-heterosexual participants reported significantly higher rates of victimisation.
  • More than half (54.5%) chose not to say they were autistic on their profile, often because of fear of stigma or safety concerns.

For ADHD daters, the pull of a fast, intense connection can make it easy to skip the checks you’d normally do. None of this means neurodivergent people are naïve. It means mainstream apps aren’t built with them in mind.

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“Never leave the app until you’re 100% sure the person you’re talking to is the person in their profile. Dating apps can protect you while you’re on their platform, but they can’t once you move off it. Anyone asking you to switch to an encrypted app like Signal or Telegram is the biggest red flag of the lot, so never do it. With the rise of AI, people are more wary of catfishing than ever, and there are really two types now: the full catfish, where a totally different person is being presented, and the ’kittenfish’, where someone has enhanced their pictures with AI or editing apps. Both can be exhausting for the person on the other side. Neurodivergent people are often very trusting, so you need to be in a safe space and a community that understands that. It’s one of the main reasons Mattr exists: so you can be your unfiltered, honest self without worrying about what the other person thinks.”

Jamie Johnston, dating expert and founder of Mattr

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How can you tell if a dating profile is fake?

No single sign proves a profile is fake, but several together are worth taking seriously:

  1. The photos feel off. Every picture looks like a professional shoot, there’s only one or two, or the person looks slightly different in each. That’s sometimes called kittenfishing: real photos that have been heavily enhanced with AI or editing apps, so the person looks noticeably different in person. A reverse image search (Google Lens or TinEye) can show if the photos appear elsewhere under another name.
  2. The bio is vague or copied. Very generic lines, no real interests, or details that don’t add up.
  3. They want to leave the app fast. Pushing to move to WhatsApp, Telegram or another platform within a few messages is a common warning sign.
  4. Intense feelings, very early. Big declarations of love before you’ve met can be a tactic, not a compliment.
  5. They always have a reason not to video call or meet. A broken camera, a job abroad, a busy week, every week.
  6. Money comes up. Any request for money, gift cards, crypto or “help with an emergency” is a hard stop, however convincing the story.
  7. Their story changes. Ages, jobs or places that shift between conversations.

If you find literal rules easier than gut feelings, you can treat this as a checklist: two or more ticks means slow down and verify.

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Is it OK to research a date before meeting them?

Yes. In the Stud or Dud survey, 46% called researching someone before a date a “smart safety precaution” and only 5% thought it was creepy. Sensible, low-key checks include a reverse image search, looking for a public social media presence that matches what they’ve told you, and a short video call before you meet. You don’t need to dig into someone’s whole life; you just need to know they’re real.

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What should you do if you think you’ve matched with a fake profile?

  • Stop sharing personal information and never send money.
  • Report and block the profile in the app.
  • Don’t blame yourself. Scammers are skilled at what they do.
  • If you’ve lost money, report it to Action Fraud (in the UK) and to your bank straight away.
  • Talk it through with someone you trust.

Our dating safety guide has more practical advice on meeting safely.

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Looking for a calmer, more honest place to date? Mattr is the dating app and community for anyone who feels "different", built with neurodivergent people in mind. It’s free to join, with the option to upgrade. Visit Mattr.social or download the Mattr app.

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How can neurodivergent daters stay safe without giving up on dating?

The goal isn’t to suspect everyone. It’s to give genuine people the chance to show they’re genuine:

  • Keep the first stage on the app until you’ve had a video call.
  • Meet somewhere public and tell a friend where you’re going. Our cheap date ideas for neurodivergent daters include plenty of low-pressure, public options.
  • Notice the green flags too. Someone who’s happy to video call, answers questions clearly and respects your pace is worth your energy. See our guide to green flags when dating someone new.
  • Protect your energy. If checking every match is wearing you out, it may be dating app burnout, and a break is fine.

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Why choose Mattr if you’re neurodivergent?

Mainstream apps are built for speed and volume. Mattr is built for people who’d rather be understood than swipe endlessly: a community where being open about how you think and communicate is normal, not something to hide. That matters when more than half of autistic daters in the Gibbs study felt they had to keep their identity off their profile. Read our community guidelines to see how we keep Mattr respectful.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the signs of a fake dating profile?

Overly polished or mismatched photos, a vague bio, pressure to move off the app quickly, early declarations of love, avoiding video calls, and any request for money.

What is kittenfishing?

Kittenfishing is when someone uses real photos of themselves but heavily enhances them with AI or editing apps, or exaggerates details, so they look noticeably different in person. It’s less extreme than catfishing, where a completely different person is presented, but it can still damage trust.

How do I check if someone on a dating app is real?

Do a reverse image search of their photos, look for a matching public online presence, and ask for a short video call before meeting.

Are fake profiles common on dating apps?

In a November 2026 US survey of 1,000 people by Stud or Dud, fake or misleading profiles were the most common dating frustration (46%), and only one in five fully or mostly trusted what they read on profiles.

Are autistic people more at risk on dating apps?

A 2026 study of 102 autistic adults found 40% had received unwanted sexually explicit messages and 43% reported verbal abuse, with women and non-heterosexual participants affected more. Simple safety steps and inclusive platforms help.

Is Mattr free?

Yes. Mattr is free to join, with the option to upgrade. Download the app.

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Ready to meet people who get you?

Dating should feel exciting, not like detective work. Join a community where honesty and difference are welcome.

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Visit Mattr.social or download the Mattr app today. It’s free to join, with the option to upgrade.

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Sources

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