OLD and phone numbers

[TitInATrance]

Morning all,

OLD after a long break, and not doing too badly.
This morning I’m getting a lot of meet-for-coffee messages from a profile that looks like a scammer (retired at over 10 years younger than me, good looking, Masters) but has excellent English and local knowledge. I’ve been around a while and I’m pretty good at spotting them as a rule.

He’s really working on getting my phone number - I gave it then thought better and blocked him. What’s all this about?

I’d see if the other way around tbh: that somebody who was reluctant to give me their phone number if we were arranging to meet was a scammer / time waster intending not to turn up / already in a relationship and doesn’t want to risk being caught out by messages or calls. It’s easier to communicate with a phone number than through dating app messages - what if one of you were running late or couldn’t make it, but didn’t read the message on the app in time?

I wouldn't of thought a scammer would want to meet and be local to you but I'd be put off with the pressure of him wanting to meeting on the day of matching.

I initially tried to ring them within 5 minutes of getting their number, but was instantly cut off twice. I’m a paid up member with my photo up, and tbh I’m more likely to hear app alerts than text messages.

I’ve generally found that people who are in a relationship are desperate to get off the app as texting is easier to conceal than running a dating app on your phone. At the moment, I only have his word for it that he’s local.

Has he got a verified profile? Which app are you on? Bumble for instance asks you to confirm you are who you say you are with facial recognition, it's a red flag if they aren't verified

You're having doubts about him / this situation so soon. Listen to your inner voice as that's telling you he's not The One. Instead of dissecting it, just let it go and continue your search for someone / situation that isn't making you question everything to the "nth" degree.

This was an intense move on your part. I would not have answered this call if I were him.

This is one of the things I hate about OLD, I used to have a burner phone specifically for OLD for this reason

Given that we were trying to arrange to meet that day and he gave me his number to arrange it?

I think my weirdo radar was correct. I went to a gig in the next town yesterday evening, and he suddenly popped up around 10 pm as he was “out for a drive” and could pick me up from the rail station - a short walk from my house.

This morning he has a sudden migraine and is unable to meet for coffee.