Published on April 18th, 2023
Dating apps and sites have become an increasingly popular way to meet new people, especially in the modern world where people have busy lives and find it hard to meet someone organically.
However, with the rise of dating apps and sites, there has also been an increase in the number of cases of fraud, harassment, and abuse.
So, it is important to stay safe when meeting someone from a dating app or site. Here are some tips on how to do that.
Use A Reputable Dating App Or Site
The first step to staying safe when meeting someone from a dating app or site is to use a reputable app or site like slixa.
Do your research before signing up for a dating app or site. Read reviews and ask friends for recommendations.
Stick to well-known dating apps or sites that have a good reputation and a strong track record of keeping users safe.
Get To Know The Person Before Meeting Them
Before meeting someone from a dating app or site, take the time to get to know them. Chat with them for a while on the app or site and try to learn as much as you can about them.
Look for red flags such as inconsistencies in their story, evasiveness, or overly personal questions. Trust your gut and if something feels off, don’t hesitate to end the conversation and move on.
Conduct A Background Check
If you’re serious about meeting someone from a dating app or site, it may be a good idea to conduct a background check.
You can do this by searching for their name online, checking their social media profiles, and even running a background check through a reputable website. This can help you verify their identity and ensure that they are who they claim to be.
Meet In A Public Place
When meeting someone from a dating app or site, always choose a public place for your first meeting. This can be a coffee shop, a restaurant, or a park.
Avoid meeting them at their home or inviting them to your home for the first meeting. By meeting in a public place, you can ensure your safety and have an easy way to exit the situation if things don’t go well.
Let Someone Know Where You’re Going
Before meeting someone from a dating app or site, let someone know where you’re going and who you’re meeting.
This can be a friend or family member who you trust. Share the person’s name, phone number, and any other relevant information. This way, if anything goes wrong, someone knows where you are and can help you.
Keep Your Personal Information Private
When using a dating app or site, it’s important to keep your personal information private. Avoid sharing your phone number, home address, or any other personal information until you’ve gotten to know the person better and feel comfortable doing so. Be cautious about sharing photos or videos as well, as these can be used to blackmail or harass you.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off when meeting someone from a dating app or site, trust your instincts and end the date.
Don’t feel pressured to stay or to continue the conversation if you’re uncomfortable. Remember that your safety is the most important thing and that you have the right to leave if you feel threatened or unsafe.
Use A Video Chat Before Meeting In Person
Before meeting someone in person, consider having a video chat. This can help you verify their identity and ensure that they look like their photos.
It can also give you a sense of their personality and whether or not you feel comfortable meeting them in person. If someone refuses to have a video chat or is evasive about it, it may be a red flag.
Have An Exit Strategy
When meeting someone from a dating app or site, always have an exit strategy in case things don’t go well.
This can be as simple as having a friend call or text you during the date, giving you an excuse to leave if things aren’t going well.
You can also arrange to meet a friend or family member after the date, so that you have a reason to leave at a certain time.
Having an exit strategy can help you feel more in control of the situation and ensure that you’re not trapped in an uncomfortable or unsafe situation.
Don’t Feel Pressured Into Anything
Finally, it’s important to remember that you don’t owe anyone anything when meeting them from a dating app or site.
Don’t feel pressured to do anything you’re not comfortable with, whether that’s going back to their place, sharing personal information, or anything else. If someone is pressuring you, it’s a red flag and you should end the date immediately.
When Connecting Online
To keep yourself safe when using dating apps or websites, it’s important to be cautious when connecting with new people online. Here are some tips:
Use Different Photos For Your Dating Profile
Using different photos for your dating profile than those you have on your social media accounts is a good way to protect your privacy.
If someone sees your dating profile photo on your Instagram or Facebook account, they may be able to find you on social media and learn more about you than you intended.
Avoid Suspicious Profiles
Be wary of profiles with no bio, linked social media accounts, and only one photo. These could be fake accounts. It’s important to use caution when connecting with people you know little about.
Check Out Your Potential Date On Social Media
If you have your match’s name or social media handles, look them up to make sure they are who they say they are.
You can also check if you have mutual friends online. This can help you avoid being “catfished” by someone using a fake social media account to create their dating profile.
Block And Report Suspicious Users
If you feel someone’s profile is suspicious or they have acted inappropriately towards you, you can block and report them. Trust your instincts about whether someone is being truthful or not.
Be Wary Of Scammers
Scammers can use common stories or behaviors to build trust and manipulate people. Here are some examples:
- Asking for financial assistance due to a personal crisis
- Claiming to be from the US but living or traveling abroad
- Claiming to be recently widowed with children
- Disappearing and reappearing under a different name
- Giving vague answers to specific questions
- Being overly complimentary and romantic too early
- Pressuring you to provide your phone number or talk outside the app
- Requesting your home or work address to send gifts
- Telling inconsistent or grandiose stories
- Using disjointed language and grammar despite a high level of education
Report User Behavior
If someone requests financial assistance, photographs, is a minor, sends harassing messages, or threatens or intimidates you, report them. You should also report fake profiles or users trying to sell you products or services.
Wait To Share Personal Information
Never give out personal information, such as your social security number, credit card details, bank information, or work or home address, to someone you haven’t met in person.
Dating apps or websites will never ask for your login information, so if you receive a request, delete it and consider reporting it.
Don’t Respond To Requests For Financial Help
No matter how convincing someone’s reason may seem, never send money, especially overseas or via wire transfer. Report any requests for financial assistance immediately. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission offers tips on avoiding online dating scams.
When Meeting In Person
Before meeting up in-person for the first time, consider video chatting with your potential date. This is a good way to ensure that your match is who they claim to be in their profile. If your match resists a video call, it could be a sign of suspicious activity.
Utilize a background check service like Garbo to see if your date has a criminal history of violent or harmful behavior.
Garbo provides low-cost access to public records of arrests, convictions, and sex offender registry records. You can also Google your date to see if any worrisome history comes up.
Tell a friend where you are going and send them a screenshot of your date’s profile. Let them know when and where you plan to go on your date. If your plans change, text your friend to let them know.
It’s also helpful to arrange to text or call a friend partway through the date or when you get home to check in.
For your safety, meet in a public place like a coffee shop, restaurant, or bar with plenty of other people around. Avoid meeting in public parks and other isolated locations for first dates.
Don’t rely on your date for transportation. Be in control of your own transportation so that you can leave whenever you want and do not have to rely on your date in case you start feeling uncomfortable. Have a few ride share apps downloaded on your phone as a backup.
Stick to what you’re most comfortable with when it comes to drinking or taking drugs. Avoid taking drugs before or during a first date with someone new because they could alter your perception of reality or have unexpected interactions with alcohol.
Enlist the help of a bartender or waiter if you feel uncomfortable in a situation. They can help you create a distraction, call the police, or get a safe ride home.
Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to leave the date or cut off communication with your match.
Your safety is the most important thing, and your match should understand that. If you felt uncomfortable or unsafe during the date, remember you can always unmatch, block, or report your match after meeting up in person.
Conclusion
Dating apps and sites can be a great way to meet new people, but it’s important to stay safe when meeting someone in person.
By using a reputable app or site, getting to know the person before meeting them, conducting a background check, meeting in a public place, letting someone know where you’re going, keeping your personal information private, trusting your instincts, having an exit strategy, and not feeling pressured into anything, you can ensure that your dating experience is safe and enjoyable.
Remember, your safety is always the most important thing, so don’t hesitate to take any necessary precautions to protect yourself.
