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Writer's pictureBurton Kelso, Tech Expert

How to Avoid 'Cheating Spouse' Scams

Updated: Sep 21



In our complex digital world, cybercrooks have no limits on what they will do to trick you out of your money and personal information. A new trend is emerging where scammers are preying on vulnerable couples involved in relationships to 'alert' them of a cheating romantic partner or spouse. The circulation of this scam highlights the fact that large-scale data breaches have exposed the fact criminals have intimate details about your personal lives. Recent breaches have included information such as your full name, social security numbers, phone numbers, and spouses and relatives. This is why you need to build your personal firewall and make sure you stay up to date with the latest data leaks. Here's what you need to know.


How This Scam Works. This scam begins with an email (probably created with the help of AI) that is customized to you and claims to have evidence that your spouse is cheating on you. Many phishing scams that have circulated over the years are socially engineered, meaning they are designed to make you react to the content of the email or text message rather than to verify if the content is accurate. Cyber scammers attempt to find the best ways to exploit people and they know relationships can be a sensitive area for people. They also understand that even a hint of infidelity can cause instant panic. As with most social engineered scams, the emotions involved can cloud your judgment and make you more likely to fall for this scam.


How Do Scammers Know Your Personal Information? In the vastness of the Internet, there are many ways criminals can get your details other than information obtained from data breaches. Check out these methods:


  • Social Media: Cybercrooks can gather a lot of information from your social media profiles, especially if your privacy settings are not strict. They look for details like your birthday, address, and who you're married to.

  • Public Records: Many public records, such as property records or court documents, are accessible online and can be used by criminals to piece together your personal information.

  • Surveys and Contests: Filling out surveys or entering contests can sometimes lead to your information being sold to third parties, including crooks.

  • Phone Scams: Scammers might call you pretending to be from a trusted organization and ask for personal information

  • Dumpster Diving: Scammers may go through your trash to find discarded documents that contain personal information, such as bank statements or medical records.


What to Do If You Receive a 'Cheating Scam 'Message. If you receive a message that says your spouse is cheating and asks you for money to see the proof, you can breathe easy: it’s likely a scam. Remember, these socially engineered scams are designed to make you react, so before you kick your spouse out of the house, do the following:


  • Keep your cool: While it’s easy to panic when faced with such allegations, take a moment to compose yourself before responding in any way.

  • Sit down and talk with your spouse: If you are concerned about the allegations, hold an open and honest conversation with your better half.. Remember that scammers create these accusations out of thin air and have no real evidence.

  • Never respond or pay: Responding only confirms to the scammer that they’ve reached a live target. Paying will likely encourage further demands and scam correspondence. Remember, this is a scam designed to exploit your emotions.


Limit Your Risks to Scams: You can protect yourself from scam attempts by beefing up your online privacy. Use the following tips:


  • Be mindful when sharing: The less personal information available online, the harder it is for scammers to create personalized attacks against you or your family members. Adjust your social media privacy settings and avoid sharing much personal information.

  • Monitor for data breaches and leaks: Use tools that alert you if your personal information has been compromised in a data breach. Change passwords regularly, and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to prevent unauthorized access.


Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you stay safe from 'Cheating Spouse' scams. If you enjoyed this post, let me know in the comments below.  Stay tuned to our blog for more insightful articles and guides to help you strengthen your security posture and you knowledge about technology. If you have any questions, please reach out via email or on social media. I'm always available.


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