Catfishing

People who catfish, called catfishes, typically create fake accounts on social media, both for the identity they’re assuming and in some cases for other people their persona interacts with, including friends and family members. Catfishes often use photographs of people more attractive than themselves on their profiles. They might also enhance other aspects of their life, like their occupation, to make themselves appear more desirable. Most catfishes also use a fake name.

People might catfish others for several reasons. Some people who lack self confidence may feel catfishing is the only way they can form close relationships with other people. Catfishing can make lonely people feel less alone and fill time for people feeling bored. It can be an effective way exact revenge on an ex or a former friend. Some catfishes might use the relationship they forge for financial or material gain. Other people catfish simply because they’re curious about what might happen. Some people grappling with their own sexuality assume the opposite gender to see how a relationship with someone of the same gender might feel.

Several signs can suggest you’re talking to a catfish. Catfishes usually avoid video-chatting, meeting in person, or speaking on the phone as they fear these actions could give away their true identities. They may also claim to have an illness, injury, or some other kind of tragedy to illicit sympathy or money. Conversations with catfish may turn romantic or intense quite quickly. Catfishes often have few friends on their social media accounts.