Safety Tips
Stay safe in online interactions
These tips are based on common patterns reported by the community. Stay informed, stay safe.
Verify Before You Trust
- ✓Always video call before meeting in person — a real person won't refuse.
- ✓Reverse image search profile photos to check for stolen or AI-generated images.
- ✓Be cautious if their story changes or details don't add up.
- ✓Check if they avoid answering basic questions or get defensive when asked.
Protect Your Finances
- ✓Never send money, gift cards, or crypto to someone you haven't met in person.
- ✓Be skeptical of urgent financial emergencies from online contacts.
- ✓Don't share bank details, PINs, or verification codes with anyone online.
- ✓Investment opportunities from dating matches are almost always scams.
Guard Your Personal Info
- ✓Don't share your home address, workplace, or daily routine early on.
- ✓Be cautious about moving to encrypted apps — scammers use them to avoid detection.
- ✓Use the dating platform's built-in messaging as long as possible.
- ✓If someone asks for intimate photos, they may be planning sextortion.
Trust Your Network
- ✓Tell a friend about your online interactions — isolation is a red flag.
- ✓If someone pressures you to keep the relationship secret, that's concerning.
- ✓Meet in public places and tell someone where you're going.
- ✓If friends or family express concern, take it seriously.
Red Flags to Watch For
- ✓Love bombing: excessive flattery and declarations of love very early.
- ✓Urgency: pushing you to make decisions quickly without thinking.
- ✓Isolation: trying to separate you from friends and family.
- ✓Inconsistency: changing their story about age, location, or job.
- ✓Scripts: messages that feel copied and pasted or overly generic.