Online Dating Safety Guide: Protect Yourself While Finding Love Online

These scammers typically take time to build trust with you to extract personal information. Luckily, there are several ways to educate yourself about online dating safety. RAINN for example offers a basic overview of how to stay safe while dating on the internet1. After following market trends and innovations for the last decades, we’ve seen the landscape of online dating evolve. In this article, we’ll share the do’s and don’ts that are the cornerstone of online dating safety, ensuring you can search for love with confidence.

• However, most profiles on these counterfeit sites are fake, and replying to them usually costs you money.
• The first rule in any Online Dating Safety Guide is to safeguard your privacy.
• Just download the app and pick a number to chat with your app matches; they won’t even know it’s not your actual number.
• Listening to your gut can help you stay safe and avoid potentially harmful situations.
• Once you click on it, malware infects your computer and gives over your personal information to the scammer.

They’re especially dangerous when you’re with a stranger since they can change your perception of reality. You should also make sure that your phone is fully charged before the date. This will help keep you safe in many ways, and it will ensure that you can call a cab instead of relying on your date for transportation.

When you get to know someone better, you can connect with them on social media if you like. However, this information shouldn’t be available to anyone who looks at your profile. Also, keep in mind that, on some free websites and apps, your photos will be visible to everyone, regardless of whether they have a profile. So, when choosing the pictures for your dating profile, choose only the ones that you haven’t posted anywhere else. Alternatively, you could take new pictures specifically for dating online.

While we like to think most users have good intentions, it’s best to err on the side of caution with online dating. Still, Hintsyak notes that it’s an easy place for scammers to surface—and they can sometimes pop back up by creating fake profiles. Put a premium on privacy “You really want to be guarded with your personal information,” says Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support at AARP.

It can encrypt your data and route your online activities through secure channels, ensuring total anonymity. Your Android device comes with a unique number from Google, which it uses to identify users and tailor personalized promotions and advertisements. As a result, you risk being blackmailed, catfished, or scammed online. For this reason, awareness of these risks and acquainting yourself with the protective measures is a great idea. It’s not uncommon to be wary about sharing your phone number with someone you have never met. People don’t come with papers warning you of all their difficult-to-detect antisocial behaviors, and hiding those behaviors can be a lot easier behind a screen than it is in person.

Plus, our Trust and Safety team is always on the job, making sure that you have a safe, secure experience when looking for love. So don’t wait – sign up for eharmony and find someone who shares your values today. One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from fake profiles is to use apps with built-in video AI verification. These tools make it much harder for scammers to impersonate someone else. Check out our detailed guide on the Best Dating Apps with Video AI Verification to Avoid Catfishing (2025) to learn which platforms offer the strongest protection.

We’ve compiled a list of a few flags to look out for when searching and connecting with others as you navigate online dating apps. Other dating platforms store your messages, and these can, of course, be used for the wrong things if they fall into the wrong hands. Certain dating apps are notorious for going as far as sharing private data provided by users. These include Grindr, Tinder, and OkCupid, which ran afoul of the GDPR in 2020. To stay safe during your first meeting with an online match, meet in a public place, inform a friend about your plans, and remain aware of your surroundings at all times.

Take your time, get to know them properly and if they’re the right person for you they’ll wait as long as you need them to. If you stay within the app and want to end communication, you just block them. On the Feel Out Loud Community Creator Space you can explore content created by your peers and / or share your own (written, image or video content welcome!). The Peer-to-Peer Community is a space to connect with other youth and tell your story, provide encouragement or get support (or all of the above!).

If you feel embarrassed or guilty about leaving, tell them you feel unwell or make excuse. Or text a friend and get them to ring you and pretend they need you. Naturally, you also shouldn’t do drugs on the first date with someone you don’t know.

To maximize your experience, it’s crucial to be mindful of dating app safety. To play it safe, be shrewd when sharing personal information, use the internet for reconnaissance, and always meet a potential mate first in a public setting. Read on for details and more advice from fraud experts, relationship counselors, dating sites and consumer protection agencies. Cryptocurrency is a complex and often misunderstood investment.

Our expert-designed self defence courses equip you with real-life strategies to protect yourself, trust your instincts, and respond effectively in any scenario. Do your research before choosing an online dating app and pick one of the larger more reputable sites. ‘Love bombing’ is a common manipulative dating tactic where http://www.jolly-romance.com someone will shower you with compliments, affection, gifts and even profess love after hours or days of knowing you.

That number continues to rise every year, making awareness and safety education more important than ever. By following this Online Dating Safety Guide, you’ll be able to embrace the positives of online dating while reducing your exposure to risks. Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world now meet partners through apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, and niche platforms catering to specific communities. While this shift has created incredible opportunities to connect, it has also created a digital space where scammers and bad actors thrive. Any dating site that charges you money or their purchasable “credits” to talk to people is a scam, and you should avoid them. While in-app purchases are not unnatural for dating apps, the above description is what you should look out for.

You can have a safe and fun experience if you follow some online dating safety tips. Scott warns that it’s easier to hide online, so dating apps can delay finding out who someone really is. That’s why she always recommends that her clients meet in person as soon as possible.

If you meet this person in real life and their story checks out, they’re probably not a scammer. However, still be cautious of anyone who requests money from you in the early stages of dating, whether it’s online or in real life. People don’t normally do this, and even if someone is not a scammer, they could take advantage of you. Young adults who use dating apps spend on average 10 hours a week looking for potential partners2.

Warning Signs To Look Out For While Using Dating Apps

This article covers essential dating app safety tips to help you secure your personal information, spot potential scams, and enjoy online dating with confidence. Dive in to discover how to protect yourself while meeting new people online. In the digital age, there’s no excuse not to verify someone’s identity before meeting them. A quick Google search, reverse image lookup, or scan of their social media profiles can reveal inconsistencies in their story or photos.

While the potential for high returns can be alluring, it also creates an environment ripe for manipulation. Be extremely cautious when discussing investments, especially if someone you’ve met online offers to help you get started with cryptocurrency or any other investment opportunity. Never click on investment links provided by someone you’ve met online, and never share any financial information with them.

Once they feel they’ve built trust, they’ll ask for money for a flight home, or something more. Some military romance scams are so elaborate that they will work with groups of people who pose as military doctors or lawyers as accomplices. We also recommend against connecting your social media with your profile—and this could help encourage meeting in real life sooner rather than getting stuck in the “pen pal” stage. Before you take the plunge and meet up in person, why not have a video chat? It’s a great way to get a better feel for someone, beyond their profile and text messages.

You will have to take time to get to know someone before deciding whether they’re right for you. They can pretend to be someone they’re not, post edited pictures that don’t even resemble them, or exaggerate their positive qualities. If you do a Google image search on a picture, you are going to see other places where the same picture has been published. This means that, if you use the same picture that you’ve used on your social media, it will be very easy for anyone to find out who you are. So, take some time to decide where you’re going to create your dating profile.

Another red flag is a match refusing to make or take a video call. With the advent of online dating, you can meet people from all walks of life from the comfort of your couch. You can also sidestep the awkwardness of in-person dates thanks to virtual meeting rooms and apps. However, with such ease and comfort comes the potential for lowered guards and the risks that come with it. Thus, you must know and apply a few basic tips to stay safe while online dating. One of the best ways to stay safe online is by using a comprehensive internet security software.

These are the most popular dangers of using online dating platforms; let’s discuss how to avoid them before going into detail. Online dating exposes you to many new people you know nothing about — their identity, personality, or anything. So, while it is a great way to meet new people, it’s also an avenue for great danger because of said new people. Many smartphones have a built-in feature to share your location with someone using the same operating system. You can also use apps like Google Maps or WhatsApp to share your location across different operating systems. Once you’ve decided on a place to meet, share your location with someone you trust and let them know your plans.

Fake profiles, romance scams, catfishing, and privacy risks are all too common in the digital dating space. Reputable platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge invest in robust security features to protect their users. These include profile verification tools, blocking mechanisms, and active moderation of inappropriate content. Stick to platforms with positive user reviews and clear policies against harassment and fraud. Lesser-known apps may lack these safeguards, leaving you vulnerable to scams or other issues. If you’re unsure about a platform, check reviews or forums to learn about others’ experiences before signing up.

No Online Dating Safety Guide would be complete without addressing the importance of cybersecurity. While meeting new people is exciting, your digital footprint can be just as vulnerable as your physical safety. Cybercriminals often target dating apps and websites because users are more likely to share personal details in hopes of building trust. Protecting your online presence is crucial for safe and stress-free dating.

Matchcom

While this may seem invasive, it’s a proactive way to ensure your safety. Be cautious if their online presence is sparse or nonexistent—it might indicate a fake profile. Look for signs that their story matches their digital footprint, such as shared interests, recent photos, or authentic interactions with others.

However, let this be the worst possible outcome of dating online. Make sure they’re recent enough, don’t cover up  your features, don’t include other people and that there are some activity photos to show a rounded perspective of you. I have a personal safety alarm attached to the outside of all my bags. Charge your phone up so you don’t lose contact with your friends and family. In reality, this step isn’t going to keep you safe as your friend isn’t with you and can’t protect you.

Streetwise Defence is a member of the British Combat Association and has Registered BCA Instructors. We are Level 5 trauma-trained, CPD-accredited and certified in safeguarding. If you don’t like them or want to leave, just make your excuses and go. Having a personal alarm at easy activating distance can give you a way to attract attention and shock someone to stop if things go bad. Plan your first meet-up to be short, during the day and in a public place.

Don’t see someone you met online in your apartment, their apartment, or your office when you’re meeting them for the first time. Choose a public place where there are lots of other people around, such as bars, restaurants, coffee shops, or movie theaters. While it’s important to meet your potential matches in real life, wait until you’re comfortable doing this, and don’t let anyone intimidate you. The right person would wait for you to be okay with meeting in real life instead of pressuring you to meet as soon as possible. Scammers can be incredibly charming and tell you very believable stories.

Your information is collected and used in accordance with our privacy policy. If the person you matched with has posted only limited information and only one picture, it may be a fake account. Be cautious about connecting with someone you have so little information about. Trust your instincts about whether you feel someone is genuine or not. “Are We Dating The Same Guy” Facebook groups are designed to help people discover any “tea or red flags” on someone they are dating or might meet.

Happn Privacy: How To Protect Your Online Dating Experience

In 2016, a Japanese woman sent her online boyfriend, who she thought was a U.S. It nearly bankrupted her before she discovered her online boyfriend was actually a ring of 14 scammers in Los Angeles and Nigeria. Go for coffee or a drink, something short and quick so if it’s not going well, you aren’t having to sit through a three-course meal that you’ve just spent all your money on. If you go for coffee and it goes really well you can always make it more of a date and do something afterwards.

Apps, including Bumble and The League, offer in-app video calling as an alternative to revealing your contact details. Dating apps have become something of a necessity for many single people. Exercise caution if someone uses excessive flattery or tries to form a quick emotional connection. Address any communication discrepancies openly to avoid misunderstandings and reveal potential deception. Between 2010 and 2012 another woman lost more than $1 million to a dating scammer after cashing out her retirement savings, investments, and even some of her parents’ money.