38% of people on dating apps have encountered a fake profile in 2026. One in three and the fakes are getting harder to spot

McAfee's 2026 study confirmed it. And the part that's actually changed: the fakes are getting harder to catch. Response times too fast used to be a signal now some real people respond that fast. Too-perfect photos used to be obvious AI editing has made everyone's photos better. The pivot to WhatsApp after four messages is still common but not universal enough to be reliable.

The person who matched with you two weeks ago and has been having genuinely good conversations might be exactly who they say they are. Or they might not be. The gap between those two things used to feel wider.

What's your current tell and has it ever been wrong in either direction?