Fake Hinge Video Verification and Badge Phishing Scam
Scammers impersonate Hinge by sending fake video or identity verification requests to matches, leading them to third-party sites that capture personal data or enrol them in fraudulent subscriptions.
Part of: Verification Badge Phishing Scams
Last reviewed: 7 June 2026
Hinge markets itself as the dating app designed to be deleted — it positions itself as a relationship-focused alternative to swipe-heavy competitors. Many Hinge users are specifically seeking serious relationships, which means they are often more willing to invest in trust-building steps — including verification requests — than users on more casual platforms.
Scammers exploit this by requesting that matches complete a 'Hinge Video Verification' or 'Hinge Certified Profile Check' through a link sent in the conversation. The request is framed as a relationship safety measure — the scammer claims they have been catfished before and wants assurance their match is real before investing emotionally.
Hinge offers a genuine Photo Verification feature within the app that awards a verification badge. There is no 'Hinge Certified' or 'Video Verification' feature that requires visiting an external website.
How this scam works on the Hinge brand
The scammer typically waits until the conversation has developed some warmth before raising the verification request, making it feel like a natural trust-building step rather than an immediate red flag. The external site mirrors Hinge's branding — using the app's characteristic red colour scheme and its distinctive fonts.
The site typically requests name, age, phone number, and email. Some variants also request a selfie — which may be used to create a deepfake profile or for identity fraud. A final step asks for a card number for an 'identity check' described as free, enrolling the user in a subscription.
Some fake verification sites are also designed to harvest full sets of identity documents: they claim to be a partner background-check service and request a photo of the user's driving licence or passport to complete the 'enhanced profile verification'.
Common red flags
- A match asks you to verify your identity through an external link — Hinge verification is done within the app
- The verification site requests government ID documents or a selfie
- A credit card is required for an ostensibly free verification or background check
- The link leads to a domain that is not hinge.co
- The match becomes notably invested in the relationship before this early verification step, creating social pressure to comply
- The profile features photos that return results on reverse-image search
How to protect yourself
- All genuine Hinge verification features are within the Hinge app — if you cannot find the feature in the app, it does not exist
- Never submit government ID documents to a site reached via a match's message link
- If a match insists on an external verification, report the profile and unmatch
- Review credit card statements if you entered any payment details on an external site during a Hinge conversation
How to report it
- Report the profile in the Hinge app: open the conversation, tap the flag icon, and select a reason
- Report the fraudulent site to Hinge at hinge.co/help
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If government ID was submitted, consider placing a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus
Frequently asked questions
Does Hinge require matches to complete background checks through external sites?
No. Hinge has a Photo Verification badge awarded within the app. There is no external background check or 'video verification' process run by or affiliated with Hinge. Any such request is fraudulent.
My match seems genuinely invested — could the verification request still be a scam?
Yes. Fraudsters invest significant time building convincing personas precisely because engagement increases compliance with requests. The level of emotional investment in a conversation does not make an external verification link legitimate.