Millions of people all over the world are turning to dating apps in their search for love. But, when you meet someone online, and especially if it’s the first time, there could be some risks involved. Dating apps do not conduct background checks on their users. So, whichever dating app you choose to find love, safety should always be your priority.
Here are some steps you can take to increase your safety when using dating apps.
Don’t Connect With Suspicious Profiles
The first thing you’ll notice about a suspicious profile is that it’ll have no bio. In addition, it may have a picture of a model or a famous person, yet the name doesn’t match. If the person you match has no picture or there’s only one and has no linked social media accounts, be cautious when you connect with them since there’s little to no information about them, and it might be a fake account.
Look Up a Potential Partner on Social Media
One of the ways you can tell if you’re being “catfished” is to look up a potential date on social media. If your match is connected to their social media, check it out and see whether the profiles match and if they are who they say they are.
Don’t Share Personal Information Too Soon
Don’t be too fast to share personal information such as your bank information, credit card information, your address, or social security number. You will never get requests to share your password and user name information from a dating app, so always report and delete such requests if you come across them.
Ignore Requests for Financial Help
Scammers will use every tactic they can think of to make their stories or requests seem genuine and compelling. However convincing a story may seem, never respond to an overseas wire transfer or a request for money. Instead, report to the app immediately you come across such requests.
Report and Block Suspicious Profiles
If someone acts inappropriately with you or you think their profile is suspicious, report and block them. Someone may misrepresent themselves. But, you must trust your instincts and examine how you feel about them. A scammer may use different ways to build sympathy and trust so they can manipulate you. Here are some ways you can tell you’re dealing with a scammer or fake profile.
- They disappear from the site then contact you using a different name
- They don’t give specific answers to the questions you ask
- They tell you they need financial assistance because of an emergency that has just occurred
- They put you under pressure to talk outside the dating app and provide your phone number
- Tell you they need to send you a gift or flowers and ask for your work or home address
- Tells you grandiose stories or are very inconsistent
- They shower you with too many compliments or use romantic language too soon in your communication
- They tell you they’re highly educated, but their grammar and language isn’t up to par
Report suspicious profiles if there are signs of:
- The match being a minor
- A fake profile
- Manipulation or intimidation
- Requests for a photograph
- Offensive and harassing messages
- An attempt to lure you into buying services and products not affiliated to the dating app i.e Hookup IDs
When Meeting Someone For The First Time After Online Interaction
Before you make the big step to meet someone in person after matching on a dating app, you have to video chat them. This will help you know for sure that a potential lover is who they claim to be on their profile. If they refuse a video call before you meet, cancel the meeting because they may not be who they say they are.
Let Someone Know Where You’re Meeting
Before you go out to meet your date:
- Take a screenshot of their profile.
- Send it to a close friend or family member.
- Let them know where you’re going.
If the location of the date changes, update your friend. Remember to check in with your friend at some point during the date and once you get back home.
Don’t Meet in a Private Area
Don’t let someone you don’t know invite you to an isolated area or come to your workplace or home. You’ll be more comfortable in a restaurant, coffee shop, or other public areas with plenty of people around.
Arrange Your Own Transportation
Make sure you’re in control of some of the aspects of the date, such as your transportation. If anything goes wrong, you shouldn’t have to rely on your date to get you home. Even if your date offers to pick you up and drop you after the date, don’t agree to it for the simple reason that it’s the first meeting and you don’t know them. If you don’t have a vehicle, download a rideshare app and use that instead.
Be Comfortable During the Date
Just because your date is drinking doesn’t mean you should do the same. It’s ok to have a few drinks during the date but don’t go overboard, or you risk having an altered perception of reality and unwanted interactions.
Always Trust Your Instincts
If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe about anything, you can always leave. Your safety should be a priority, so don’t think you’re rude by leaving.
Final Thoughts
Your safety while using a dating app is vital whether you’re a first-timer or a pro. While much attention has been put on the other party to ensure you are safe, keep in mind that other people are hoping you are safe to be around, too, so be as responsible as you can.
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