These are observable signals that researchers have actually measured — not a diagnosis, and not a judgement about anyone. Ticking several means the pattern is worth a second look, nothing more.
Unlike the other tools here, a tick is a warning rather than a good sign.Sources: CNIL decisions of 6 January 2022; FTC staff report on dark patterns, 15 September 2022; FTC v. Amazon settlement, 25 September 2025; Whitty MT, stage model of the romance scam; Cross C (2023) on romance baiting; the Gaslighting Relationship Exposure Inventory. Full discussion in dark patterns, romance scams and gaslighting.
Before you rely on this
This is a reference, not a verdict. It works from published rules and published research, applied to the handful of things you typed in. Real situations turn on details it never sees — whose name is on what, how a document is worded, which rules apply where you live, the specific facts of your case, and factors nobody has measured yet. A different answer from a professional who can see all of it is the one to trust.
Averages are not predictions. Where a figure here comes from a study, it describes what happened to a group of people on average. It does not say what will happen to you. An average is the right tool for deciding what to change and the wrong tool for deciding what is going to happen.
Nothing here is advice. Not financial, legal, medical, insurance or safety advice, and using this page creates no professional relationship of any kind. The sources are linked so you can check them yourself. For a decision that matters, ask someone who is accountable for the answer.