Philadelphia, PA
- Have you started using a dating app in the hopes of finding your perfect match? While this can be an exciting journey to go on, there are certain risks involved. After all, anyone can download a dating app and create a fake profile, complete with stolen photos that aren’t their own, to try to trick someone into meeting them so they could harm them or even scam them out of their money. So, what are some of the things that you can do to keep yourself safe when dating in 2023 when technology seems to be what’s connecting most people? To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of tips for you below.
Download a Reputable Dating App
First off, consider using a dating app that takes steps to keep its users safe. For instance, as you browse the various dating apps that are available while you try to figure out which one you will use, take a look at what they offer in terms of identity verification of users. If an app can verify a user’s ID, that can help give you greater peace of mind when using the app to interact with others.
Run a Background Check on a Match
This might seem a little excessive at first, but it isn’t. Remember, people can pretend to be someone that they aren’t. And if you don’t realize what they’re doing, you might end up in danger. So, when you start talking to someone, if you’re starting to connect and you think that you want to take things to the next level by talking on the phone or meeting in person, it’s a great idea to head to Nuwber or TruthFinder to verify that they are who they claim to be. By typing in their name in the search box, you can gather information like contact details and background information that includes police records and lawsuits, and this can all shed a lot of light on how honest they are.
Bring a Friend When You Meet Someone in Person
Let’s say that you have met someone who seems pretty amazing, and you have even verified that they are being honest about who they are. You might then be ready to meet in person. But don’t let your guard down just yet. It’s still necessary to be cautious and take steps to protect your safety. How can you do that? Well, first off, choose a location that you are familiar with, make sure it’s a public place, and use your own car to get there. It’s also a great idea to take a good friend with you on your first few dates to be sure you have someone there in case you need them.
Alert Family to Your Date
Finally, if you’re going on a date with someone you have met recently, be sure to let your close friends or family know so that they will be aware of where you will be and how many hours you plan on being on your date. That way, if you need help, they will know where to find you and who you will be with.
Don’t Be Too Trusting
Even if you think you met a great person who seems kind and loyal, sometimes it’s just a cover-up. Don’t make excuses for your date’s poor behavior if they raise their voice or treat you not the way you want to be treated. If you are too gullible, you may be taken advantage of and end up in bad situations. If the person you are on a date with for the first time wants to invite you home or any other place you don’t know about, never agree. It could be a trap.
Trust Your Gut
There are situations when everything seems pretty stable. Even if you think that the person you’re on a date with seems nice, but something feels off, it’s important not to ignore this factor. When you feel a sense of threat, leave the place immediately. Make sure there are other people around who would help you in case of an emergency. If you feel that the atmosphere in the room is too tense, apologize and leave. If you just don’t feel like continuing the conversation, explain everything to your date. If they are good people, they will understand.
Be in Control of Your Transportation
Especially if it’s your first time meeting with the person, take a bus, tram, or taxi, or ask your friend to give you a lift. Even if it’s too late and you feel like it’s better for a person you barely know to drop you home, forget it. It may be too dangerous. Be cautious and find a safe way to get home. If there aren’t any, check into a hotel nearby. It’s better to take certain measures than to regret them later.
Don’t Leave Your Food and Drinks Unattended
It’s one mistake not all people pay attention to. Only accept drinks or food directly from bartenders or waiters. If your date offers their own, politely refuse. If you need to use the restroom, make sure that there are other people in the place you’re in so they can observe your food or drink. If there’s no one near you who could do that, take this stuff with you. If you can’t, just refuse to eat and say that you’re not hungry or thirsty anymore.
When It Gets Too Much, Ask for Help
If you observe unaccepted behavior like mean or inappropriate jokes, a person being too rude, or even worse: if they become physical, ask others to help you. If there aren’t any people, call the police. That is why you need to make sure that your phone is always in your purse or pockets. However, please don’t leave it on the table. If a person tries to hurt you, the first thing they will do is make sure that you can’t ask for help.
For some people, the information mentioned above is obvious. However, not everyone seems to follow the advice given. You probably think that dangerous situations only take place in movies or tv-shows. However, sometimes real life can be worse. Be cautious, and trust your intuition but never trust the person you just met.
