Online Dating - Play it Safe!
When meeting someone new, keep these safety tips in mind...
Online dating can be safer than the more traditional means of dating, you have a wider scope of choice and you can remain at a distance until you’re ready to meet. But of course, when meeting someone new, you need to put your safety first. Here are a few tips to keep in mind…
Chatting Online
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 ‘this doesn’t feel right,’ then don’t ignore it. Politely disengage from the conversation and move on.
Be Honest When creating your profile be honest about who you are and what you’re looking for. Not only are you then more likely to meet your perfect match, but when you do go for that date, both parties will be on the same wave-length and there will be no unwelcome surprises!
Keep in Control The great thing about online dating is that you have complete control over how fast the relationship is moving and can take things at your own pace. So make sure that you totally trust who you’re talking to before you give them any personal contact information.
Avoid Talk of Finances Avoid any talk of finances too readily. 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 may be a scammer. We would strongly recommend that you stop all communications and contact our customer care.
Meeting 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 – within view and hearing distance of other people. And don’t forget to let a trusted 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.
Make sure your phone is fully charged Don’t leave the house until your phone has a full battery and you have minutes.
Drink Responsibly We all know we should, but when you’re meeting someone new this is really crucial. Alcohol can hamper our judgements and it’s important to be in complete control when meeting someone for the first time.
Follow these tips and you’ve got your safety covered – now all you need to do is relax and enjoy yourself!