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Online Dating and Dating Agencies
Most people on dating sites are genuine, but romance fraudsters build trust and then ask for money. Never send money to someone you have not met in person. If you have paid a scammer by bank transfer, your bank may have to refund you. Paid dating services must be provided with reasonable care and skill.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Romance Fraud
What Romance Fraud Is
Romance fraud is when someone you meet online is not who they say they are. They build trust over time, then ask for money with an emotional reason, such as a medical emergency or travel costs. source
Protecting Yourself
Be suspicious of any request for money from someone you have never met in person. Do a reverse image search on their photos, talk to family or friends, and never send money, share bank access, move money or parcels, buy gift card codes or share ID documents for them. source
If You Have Been Scammed
If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank straight away and report it on 0300 123 2040 (in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101). Do not feel ashamed: it can happen to anyone. source
Your Money and Services
Bank Transfer Scam Refunds
If you were tricked into making a UK Faster Payments or CHAPS bank transfer on or after 7 October 2024, the reimbursement scheme covers individuals, very small businesses and charities, up to £85,000. source
Paid Dating Services
A paid dating agency or service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If not, you can ask for it to be put right or for a price reduction. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- See belowContact your bank after a scam paymentStraight away
- 13 monthsReport a bank transfer scamWithin 13 months of the payment
- 5 business daysBank reimburses under the schemeUsually within 5 business days
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Free routes to escalate, and when each one applies.
Your Bank
Straight away if you paid a scammer.
Action Fraud / Report Fraud
Report romance fraud on 0300 123 2040.
Financial Ombudsman Service
If your bank refuses a refund or does not reply.
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Keep conversations on the dating site or app at first.
Step 2 of 5
Never send money or gift cards to someone you have not met in person.
Step 3 of 5
If you have paid, call your bank straight away on the number on your card.
Step 4 of 5
Report it on 0300 123 2040 and to the dating site.
Step 5 of 5
For a paid dating service that did not deliver, complain in writing and ask for a refund or price reduction.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Evidence and Your Letter
Gather your evidence, then build a letter you can send in minutes.
Evidence Checklist
0 of 5 gatheredTap each one when you have it.
CPUKLetter Generator
How This Works
- 1
Tick off the evidence you already have, and see what is still missing.
- 2
Answer the letter questions. Your answers fill in the wording for you.
- 3
Copy or download the letter, check every detail, and send it yourself.
A template, not legal advice.
Watch Out For
Common traps and scams to avoid.
Someone who quickly moves the chat off the dating app and avoids meeting.
Requests to buy gift cards, cryptocurrency or to receive and send on money or parcels.
Recovery scams offering to get your money back for a fee.
Recent or changing rules: tap to read
Checked 13 October 2026.
Common Problems
Step-by-step help for a specific problem covered by this guide.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Not sure where you stand? Try our action plan tool or the free letter templates.
Sources and official links
- actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/romance-scams Checked 13 October 2026
- psr.org.uk/information-for-consumers/app-fraud-reimbursement-protections/ Checked 13 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/complain-ab Checked 13 October 2026
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.