N.C. Woman, 74, Loses Nearly $35,000 Talking to Man on Dating Site Whose Profile Then Disappeared: ‘Now I Have Nothing’

**Online Dating Leads to Financial Ruin for North Carolina Woman**

A 74-year-old woman from North Carolina has reportedly lost nearly $35,000 and maxed out her credit cards after engaging with a man on the online dating platform DateMyAge. Karen Hasick turned to the site in search of companionship, only to find herself in a precarious financial situation that has left her questioning her judgement.

Desiring social interaction and a romantic connection, Hasick described her loneliness, stating, “I’m really tired of not having anybody to do things with, to go out with, to, you know, just have conversations with.” The platform, aimed at older individuals seeking relationships, initially offered Hasick a complimentary month, during which she experienced a flood of interest, receiving around 100 messages daily.

However, one individual captured her attention, a 43-year-old man named Noah. Hasick recounted him as “very good-looking” and “muscular,” adding that he assured her that their 31-year age difference was inconsequential. When her free subscription ended, Hasick was compelled to pay for further access to Noah, purchasing credits for communication on the site.

The costs escalated quickly, with Hasick revealing she was spending between $2,000 to $3,000 weekly on credits that were necessary for messaging Noah, who was not required to pay for his account. She found herself in a deep financial hole, saying, “I was finding money any place I could, you know, to pay for it, and my credit cards were maxed out. I went through all my cash.”

In a bid for transparency, Hasick confronted Noah about the costs she was incurring, informing him that his communication was costing her significantly. Her attempts to meet him in person culminated in a plane ticket purchase for a meeting in Brazil, but Noah advised her against travelling due to safety concerns. After suggesting they would need to meet face-to-face to continue their relationship, she found his profile had disappeared from the platform shortly thereafter.

Emerging from this ordeal, both Hasick and her daughter, Cori Waldschmidt, suspect that Noah might not have been a real individual, but potentially a sophisticated bot used for scamming purposes. “I feel like they took advantage of her,” Waldschmidt said, expressing her intent to prevent others from facing similar financial harm.

In light of these events, Hasick and Waldschmidt filed a formal complaint with DateMyAge regarding their experience. The company, however, refuted claims that bots were involved, maintaining that each account is verified and moderated to ensure user safety and reliability. “We remain committed to providing a safe, respectful and reliable service for our customers,” a spokesperson stated, adding that they would refund $1,861 alongside an additional $1,000 as a gesture of goodwill.

Despite being offered a partial refund, Hasick and her daughter have opted to reject the offer in hopes of raising awareness about the potential risks associated with online dating services. “It was my kid’s inheritance, and now I have nothing,” Hasick lamented, reflecting on her substantial financial losses and the emotional toll of her experience.

Hasick urges others to be mindful of the financial implications that can arise from online dating, saying, “How did I do this? Why was I so stupid?” Her wish is that sharing her story will help protect others from falling victim to similar scams.

As the world increasingly turns to digital platforms for personal connections, stories like Hasick’s highlight the importance of vigilance and caution when navigating online relationships. The lessons learned from her experience could serve as a valuable reminder for anyone seeking love in the digital age.