Dating apps like Bumble and Tinder are becoming part of the norm for young people looking to meet someone new, but local officials warn that some predators see the apps as a goldmine for personal information.
So far this month, The Horry Georgetown Rape Crisis Center says 75% of their new cases involve a stalking element.
“Most people who are stalked in person are also stalked online,” said crisis worker, Nicole Service. “It’s very rare to have an in-person stalker and not have a cyber stalker.”
Workers discourage users from attaching an instagram account to your dating profile or listing where you work.
“Just say, ‘Sorry, I don’t give my cell phone number out to people until we meet in person and I trust you. Let’s just communicate through the app,'” advises Service.
Horry County police have a team of six detectives on their special victim’s unit who investigate online harassment cases.
“Take screen shots of text messages if that’s what you’re getting, or online messages, those types of things, any type of evidence we can have is absolutely going to be helpful to us,” said Captain John Harrelson.