Facebook Dating Safety Tips: Staying Safe When Meeting in Person.
Don’t include your last name, financial information, email, home address, phone number, place of work, or any other identifying information in your Facebook Dating profile or chat messages with someone.
Report and block anyone who asks you to share this personal information or anyone you feel is suspicious. We won’t let the person know who reported them.
- Verify Profiles: Before engaging in any conversation, take a moment to investigate the other person’s profile. Check for mutual friends, shared interests, and whether their photos and information appear genuine.
- Use Facebook’s Communication Tools: Stick to the messaging services within Facebook Dating. Don’t share personal contact details like phone numbers or email addresses until you feel comfortable and safe.
- Manage Location Sharing: Utilize Facebook Dating’s location features to let someone know where you are when meeting in person without sharing your exact location with your date.
- Utilize Safety Check-ins: Arrange for a friend to check in on you during the date or use Facebook’s safety check feature.
- Beware of Financial Scams: If someone you’ve never met asks for money, it’s a red flag. Report the profile to Facebook immediately.
- Set Strong Privacy Controls: Utilize Facebook’s privacy settings to manage who can see your dating profile. This will ensure that only those you wish to interact with can view your dating information.
- Report Suspicious Behavior: If you encounter any behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable or suspicious, report it to Facebook. They have a dedicated team that handles these issues.
- Meet in Public: Always meet in a well-lit, public place for the first few dates. Let a friend or family member know where you’ll be, and consider sharing your live location with them.
- Use the “Friends” Feature: If you’re unsure about a match, use the “Add to Friends” option to allow the connection to grow naturally without pressure.
- Think Before Sharing Personal Information: Be cautious about what personal information you share, such as your full name, workplace, and home address.
- Utilize the Video Chat Option: Before meeting in person, consider using Facebook’s video chat feature within the dating platform. It’s a safe way to get to know someone more before meeting face-to-face.
- Control Tagging Options: Be careful about tagging and check-ins with dates, especially in the beginning. Who can see tags and locations will help you control your online presence?
- Educate Yourself on Catfishing: Learn how to recognize signs of catfishing, such as inconsistent stories, avoiding video calls, or overly flattering images that may be stolen from the internet.
- Health Considerations: If appropriate, discuss health and safety expectations, especially if you are in an area where there may be public health concerns.
- Trust Your Instincts: Finally, always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Cutting communication or ending a date early is okay if you feel uncomfortable.
Facebook Dating Safety Tips: Staying Safe When Meeting in Person
Watch out for Scams
Scammers may use fake or compromised accounts to trick you into giving them money or personal information. If you’ve received a message you believe is a scam, you should not reply and report the person to Facebook. Some common warning signs are when a scammer:
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Wants to leave Facebook Dating immediately and use personal email or IM to chat.
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Claims to be in love very quickly to persuade you to talk with them.
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Plans to visit but claims that something terrible happened and plans get cancelled.
Scammers may try to get you to wire money or send gifts. They might ask for money to cover travel, medical emergencies, hotel bills, hospital bills, or visas. Any online love interest that asks for money is likely a scammer. Learn more about keeping your account secure and other common scams.
Don’t Send Money
Never respond to any requests to send money, wire transfer money, or make a donation. Contact your bank and local law enforcement immediately if you’ve sent money to a scammer, and report anyone who asks you to send money.
Getting to Know Someone
People may misrepresent themselves and their intentions in their Facebook Dating profiles, including their gender or sexual orientation. This could lead to harassment or harm if you meet them in person. Keep your communications on Facebook Dating, research and get to know the other person before you meet for the first time.
Staying Safe When Meeting in Person
Here are some suggestions to help you stay safe:
Tell someone about your plans
Tell a trusted friend or family member about your plans before going out and when you expect to be back home.
Meet and stay in public
When meeting someone for the first time, meet in a public place where other people are around.
Monitor any alcohol or substance consumption
Alcohol and other substances can affect your behaviour, so be aware of what you consume and always keep your glass in hand or sight.
Make sure your mobile phone is charged
Keep your mobile phone fully charged and with you in case of an emergency.
Arrange your transportation
Arrange your transportation to and from an in-person meeting to make sure you have control over when you arrive and leave.
If you Feel Uncomfortable or Unsafe
If you or someone you know is the victim of a crime or is in immediate danger, contact your local law enforcement for help. If you ever feel pressured or uncomfortable, you can:
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End the date and arrange your own transportation home.
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Block anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable.
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Report anyone you think is suspicious.
Remember, online dating should be a fun and fulfilling experience. These tips are designed to help ensure that you enjoy Facebook Dating in a safe and comfortable way.