Online Dating Safety

We’d like to imagine that every date our members go on will be fantastic, but of course when meeting anyone new, you need to put your safety first - like the old idiom says 'it's better to be safe than sorry'.


Here are a few tips to keep in mind…


Trust your instincts
Our instincts are most of the time, spot-on. So if you’re chatting to someone online and a little voice is telling you ‘something’s isn’t right,’ then the chances are something isn’t right. Best thing to do… politely disengage from the conversation and move on.


Be honest

When it comes to creating your profile, be honest about who you are and what you’re looking for. You’re more likely to meet someone who you have lots in common with and avoid any unwelcome surprises when it does come to your first date – no one wants to confess to not really being an astronaut or part of Mi5! #awks


Keep control
The great thing about online dating is that you have complete control over how fast the relationship moves. So make sure that you totally trust who you’re talking to before you give them your phone number, email etc.



Protect yourself

Check your privacy settings and be careful not to divulge too much personal information - even if you’re chatting with someone who it feels like you’ve known forever.


Background check

Don’t be afraid to search online for someone - if you met over Facebook, use Google’s “search by image” feature. Clever we know, but you’re not just being nosey - you’re checking for more than one Facebook profile with the same photo.


Avoid talk of finances
Avoid talk of finances. There is no reason why you should ever disclose any financial information to someone you’re chatting to online. If someone asks you for your bank details or if they can borrow money, they are almost certainly a scammer – avoid them like the plague!


... and when the time comes to meet in person


Meet in a public place
Even if you’ve been chatting for ages and completely trust your date, it’s still a wise idea to meet in a public place. Oh and don’t forget to let a friend know where you’re going and who you’re meeting.


Transport
Don’t rely on your date for transport or give them your home address. Remember to keep a taxi number handy should you need it and plan your route. 


Plan your escape!
We’d like to imagine that every date our members go on will be fantastic, but just in case this one isn’t make sure you’ve planned your escape route – and we don’t mean the bathroom window! Instead get a friend to call you half an hour into the date to check that everything’s OK, if it’s not then that will make it easier to make your excuses and leave.


Charge your phone
Do not leave the house unless your phone has a full battery and you can contact someone should you need to. 


Drink responsibly
We all know we should, but when you’re meeting someone new this is really important. Alcohol hampers our judgement so it’s important to be sensible and remain in complete control.



Voila, your safety covered!





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