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Georgia ranks as the third most dangerous state for online dating according to a Privacy Journal survey analyzing romance scams, identity theft, violent crime, and STDs. The state leads the nation in identity theft and fraud reports, with 985 STD cases per 100,000 residents, though it has a relatively low romance scam rate of 3.9 per 100,000. Nevada is the most dangerous state overall, while Vermont is the safest, and the article recommends online daters use Facebook groups to identify and avoid scammers.

A Quechee, Vermont resident nearly fell victim to a check scam when she received a fraudulent letter appearing to be from the IRS with a $2,473.70 check from the U.S. Treasury Department. Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark warns that scammers typically follow up by phone claiming they sent too much money and demanding wire transfers in return, while also potentially phishing for personal information like Social Security numbers. The victim avoided the scam by verifying the check at her bank and advises others to watch for red flags including unexpected money, inability to verify the sender's identity, pressure to act quickly, and emotional manipulation.

A 2025 PrivacyJournal study ranked U.S. states by online dating safety based on reported romance scams, fraud, identity theft, violent crime, STD rates, and registered sex offenders per 100,000 residents. Vermont was found to be the safest state for online daters, while Nevada ranked as the most dangerous due to high rates of fraud, identity theft, and romance scams. Kentucky ranked fifth-safest overall, with notably low fraud and romance scam reports, though it had elevated identity theft cases and registered sex offenders among the top five states.

Bill Clauson, a 81-year-old Upper Valley lawyer with Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia, lost approximately $200,000 in savings while living with Mary Layton, the Norwich Selectboard chairwoman, between 2016 and 2024, declining to less than $1,400 before returning to his family's care. Vermont State Police are investigating allegations that Layton financially exploited Clauson, who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2011 and dementia in 2017; Layton denies wrongdoing, claiming she followed his wishes regarding joint spending. Clauson's family reported the suspected financial

A Privacy Journal research study ranking states by online dating safety—measuring romance scams, fraud, identity theft, violent crime, STDs, and registered sex offenders per 100,000 residents—found that New Jersey ranks 16th safest overall, with particularly low rates of sex offenders, romance scams, and violent crime, though Vermont ranked safest and Nevada most dangerous.

Privacy Journal's 2025 study comparing 100 U.S. cities across six safety metrics found Vermont to be the safest state for online dating, while Nevada ranks as the most dangerous due to high rates of identity theft, romance scams, and violent crime. Arizona reports the highest number of romance scam cases, while South Carolina and North Carolina rank among the riskiest states overall, driven by elevated rates across multiple risk factors including STD incidence, violent crime, and fraud reports.