As if dating isn’t hard enough, Gen Z and millennials are discovering they now also have to worry about financial future faking.
Financial future faking is “like long-term partner catfishing about money,” according to Fortune. A person, usually already in a relationship, will lie or exaggerate about their financial stability, income, or assets to create a false sense of security to lock in a partner. The person often makes unrealistic promises about homes, travel or investments that never happen and frequently lead to divorce.
Financial hopes and dreams aren’t a problem, but when they are believed without any proof or foundation for them, troubles emerge, experts said. Loans are taken, savings are invested, accounts are merged and losses — both financial and emotional — result. To help ease fears of financial future faking in dating, Gen Z and millennial daters are actively debt-proofing their dates, according to a new Hily Dating App survey.
Considering someone’s financials is “very appropriate,” said Steve Azoury, financial consultant and owner of Azoury Financial. A relationship “should not be about money, but money has to be a big part of it.”
Should You Check a Partner’s Credit Score?
Finding out someone’s credit score would be helpful, according to Hily Dating App’s survey. One in five Gen Zers and a quarter of millennials said dating apps should add a credit score filter, data showed.
Nearly a third of daters said an excellent score genuinely makes a person more attractive, the survey said.
Twenty percent of daters said they want to know a match’s credit score before even agreeing to a first date and that they wouldn’t go out with someone with a score below 580. Gen Zers were even more discriminating, with more than a third saying they only want to date someone whose score is higher than their own.
Looking at someone’s credit score may sound cold, but a 2015 Federal Reserve study supports the idea that credit scores could matter. People with higher credit scores are more likely to form a relationship and stay together, it concluded.
It’s also the premise of the relaunch in February of the SCORE dating app, which promises to help daters find true love through financial compatibility.
“We believe that trust, stability and responsibility are the foundations of great relationships, and your credit score says a lot about all three,” SCORE said on its app download page.
SCORE offers two tiers: the basic tier where no ID or credit verification is required, and anyone can browse and connect. Then, the verified tier, where members must verify their ID and credit score to unlock premium features. SCORE partners with Equifax to verify credit scores, using a soft check that doesn’t affect credit scores.
“The number one cause of divorce in America is money fights and money problems,” personal finance author Dave Ramsey has said. “But here’s the truth: It’s not about how much money you have — it’s about how you handle it together. Money isn’t just about numbers — it’s about teamwork, trust, and communication. If you want to build wealth AND a strong marriage, start by getting on the same page with money.”
How to Spot a Financial Future Faker
Another way to uncover a financial future faker is to ask a lot of questions, said Azoury, who was taught growing up that asking people about their finances was rude.
“Ask general questions to help determine what kind of person you’re with, without making it too personal,” he said.
“If you ask what they would do if they won the lottery and they say buy a Ferrari and list a bunch of things that just blows the money away, that’s one thing,” Azoury said. “But what if they said they’d give some to charity, pay off their house?”
Other questions to ask might include what financial security means to you or what is your biggest financial fear, he suggested. “You just want to gauge their reaction,” he said.
Other red flags to look for in a partner include, according to wellness site The Attachment Project:
- Promises for the future without any actions to make them happen
- Future plans that seem too good to be true
- Promises that seem to come when you express concerns or doubts about your relationship
- Vague timelines
- Plans that conveniently address your specific concerns or insecurities
- Dismissive responses when you ask about timelines or concrete steps
Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday.
