Florida
Florida ranks high on this list of the most dangerous states for online dating. Here’s why.
People are getting catfished while trying to date online
Some people on online dating sites are catfishing and scamming other users.
If you’re a Floridian who’s ever sent a friend or family member your location before you go on a date with someone you’ve met online, here’s some less-than-stellar news for you.
Florida just ranked as one of the top five most dangerous states for online dating, according to a recent study from online security platform Privacy Journal. The good news is that the dangers of online dating are less about violence than they are about dating scams and catfishing, according to the study’s results.
Here’s where Florida ranked in Privacy Journal’s top five most dangerous states for online dating and why.
Are online dating sites dangerous?
Dating online isn’t always dangerous, but there’s always a risk when you agree to meet up with a stranger based on a profile that they’ve curated to look a certain way.
“Unlucky online lovers have reported romance scams and fraud, matches with registered sex offenders, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and even violent crime,” Privacy Journal’s study says.
How safe online dating is for you also depends on how much information you put out there and who you are. Limiting the amount of personal, sensitive information you include in your public profile can help keep you safe from identity theft or romance scams.
And young women are more likely to have a negative experience in online dating, according to a 2023 study from the Pew Research Center.
“A majority of women under 50 who have used dating sites or apps (56%) say they have been sent a sexually explicit message or image they didn’t ask for, and about four-in-ten have had someone continue to contact them after they said they were not interested (43%) or have been called an offensive name (37%),” the study says.
“Roughly one-in-ten of this group (11%) have received threats of physical harm. Each of these experiences is less common among women online dating users ages 50 and older, as well as among men of any age.”
Don’t get Tinder swindled: Here are 4 essential online dating safety tips
Is it dangerous to date online in Florida?
Privacy Journal’s study compared statistics on all of the factors that could lead to a dangerous online date for each 100,000 residents in each state to find the most and least dangerous states for online dating.
While Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Kentucky and Idaho took the top five rankings for being the least dangerous states for people looking for love online, Florida ranked in the bottom five as the fourth-most dangerous state.
Here are the five most dangerous states for online dating, according to Privacy Journal’s study:
- Nevada
- Alaska
- Georgia
- Florida
- Arizona
But Florida’s low safety ranking for online dating isn’t because of violence, it’s due to scams and identity theft.
“Florida already has a bad reputation thanks to the Florida Man meme, and our numbers for online dating risk factors don’t help the situation,” the study said. “Florida is the second-worst state in the country for both identity theft and fraud, and the seventh worst for becoming a victim of romance scams.”
How can I be safe while online dating?
Here are five safety tips for online dating, from RAINN (The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network).
- Don’t use your Instagram or Facebook photos on your dating profile: “It’s easy to do a reverse image search with Google. If your dating profile has a photo that also shows up on your Instagram or Facebook account, it will be easier for someone to find you on social media.”
- Don’t share live or motion photos: “Photos taken in ‘live’ mode include geolocation information that can be passed on along with the photo. Exercise caution when sharing these images with matches and potential dates.”
- Avoid interaction with suspicious profiles: “If the person you matched with has no bio, linked social media accounts, and has only posted one picture, it may be a fake account. It’s important to use caution if you choose to connect with someone you have so little information about.”
- Check your potential date’s social media: “If you know your match’s name or handles on social media—or better yet if you have mutual friends online—look them up and make sure they aren’t ‘catfishing’ you by using a fake social media account to create their dating profile.”
- Block and report suspicious profiles: “You can block and report another user if you feel their profile is suspicious or if they have acted inappropriately toward you. This can often be done anonymously before or after you’ve matched. As with any personal interaction, it is always possible for people to misrepresent themselves. Trust your instincts about whether you feel someone is representing themself truthfully or not.”
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A former Florida juvenile probation officer is facing more than 100 felony charges after investigators said she leaked confidential court and law enforcement information to people tied to a drug trafficking investigation.
Crystal Gaynell Ann Lawson was booked into the Orange County Jail on Thursday, according to Orange County Corrections records.
Investigators said Lawson improperly accessed the Comprehensive Case Information System, or CCIS, more than 100 times and shared information from active criminal cases with members of a drug trafficking organization.
FOX 35 Orlando reported Lawson was arrested on 113 felony counts of computer crimes for unauthorized access. Investigators said she allegedly accessed the database 106 times between January and May.
Lawson is accused of using the database to search for active criminal cases tied to members of the organization. Authorities said some of the information that was leaked included arrest warrants and documents connected to an active investigation.
Lawson was hired by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in February 2022. As part of that job, she was given access to the CCIS database. Authorities said she was fired later that year after an arrest, but her database access was not terminated.
See also: ‘Elf,’ ‘Couples Retreat’ actor jailed with no bond after Florida arrest
Investigators said the leaks resulted in lost evidence, unrecovered assets and at least one person fleeing to avoid arrest before later being taken into custody.
Lawson previously worked for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, where she had access to the court information system as part of her job. Authorities said she was later fired, but her database access was not terminated.
Orange County Corrections records list Lawson’s case status as “presentenced” and show multiple entries for “offense against computer users.”
The records list the arresting agency as the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and show bond amounts of $10,000 on several listed case sequences. The jail record also notes an “ICJIS Affidavit.”
ORLANDO, Fla. – Strong thunderstorms continue to push across Central Florida Thursday evening, with a few storms capable of producing gusty winds, frequent lightning, torrential rainfall and isolated damage before activity gradually winds down later tonight.
The strongest storms are expected through about 10 p.m., with most of the activity weakening and moving offshore by around 11 p.m. Storms are being fueled by sea breeze collisions and abundant moisture across the state. In addition to strong wind gusts, torrential downpours could lead to ponding of water on roads and minor flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage areas.
While storms remain the immediate concern this evening, another round of impactful weather is expected Friday.
The News 6 Weather Team has designated Friday as a Weather Aware Day due to the combination of dangerous heat and the threat for strong to severe thunderstorms.
Before storms develop, temperatures will climb into the low to mid-90s Friday afternoon. Combined with high humidity, it will feel more like 102 to 107 degrees across much of Central Florida. Some locations could once again approach or exceed Heat Advisory criteria.
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon and evening hours. The atmosphere will be loaded with tropical moisture, allowing storms to produce frequent lightning, damaging wind gusts, and torrential rainfall.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of Central Florida under a Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather Friday. While widespread severe weather is not expected, a few storms could become strong enough to produce damaging winds.
In addition, the Weather Prediction Center has highlighted portions of Central Florida for a Level 1 out of 4 risk of excessive rainfall. Any storm will be capable of producing very heavy rain in a short amount of time, which could lead to localized flooding.
The unsettled pattern continues into the weekend. Storm coverage is expected to increase Saturday, and some locations could see multiple rounds of heavy rain. While a few stronger storms remain possible, the flooding threat may become a greater concern by Saturday afternoon and evening.
Looking ahead to next week, rain chances are expected to gradually decrease, but the heat is not going anywhere. High temperatures will remain in the low to mid-90s, with heat index values frequently climbing above 100 degrees. Forecast guidance suggests a higher heat risk could develop once again across Central Florida as we head deeper into next week.
At the beaches, a moderate risk of rip currents continues. Make sure you swim near a lifeguard if you’re heading to the beach.
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)— A Florida mental health counselor walked into a surprising number of bats inside her office last week.
“We had about 50 bats. In the toilet, in the sink. All over,” Shaltala Boss, a licensed mental health counselor, said.
Boss has since moved her office due to maternity season, when it is illegal to exclude or remove bats from April 16 to August 14, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“Any form of eviction during this time period will result in baby bats being trapped along with adult bats that may not have emerged. Trapped bats will attempt to escape and may end up in the living space of buildings,” FWC said.
Video provided by Boss showed a bat lying on the ground.
“You definitely didn’t want to come to counseling that day,” Boss said.
Boss has since moved to another location and said it is bat-free.
“Most bats will avoid humans at all costs and use natural roosting structures for shelter during the day. However, bats sometimes find their way into our homes and structures, which can present a health hazard,” FWC said.
-
Minneapolis, MN2 minutes agoReal Capital Solutions Acquires Minneapolis Office Property for $34M
-
Indianapolis, IN5 minutes agoRetro Indy: For years Marott was Indianapolis’ most luxurious hotel
-
Pittsburg, PA10 minutes agoPirates Trade Analysis: Something Had to Give
-
Augusta, GA16 minutes agoAugusta Dream Center sees surge in families needing food as summer begins
-
Washington, D.C17 minutes agoNational Geographic Explorers share their most memorable adventures ahead of new DC museum opening
-
Cleveland, OH25 minutes agoLOOK: Remembering the Cavs championship win, victory parade 10 years later
-
Austin, TX32 minutes agoJuneteenth celebrations in Austin include parade and fun run
-
Alabama35 minutes agoGov. Kay Ivey sets execution date for Jeremy Williams
