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This is not professional advice. These are MY personal thoughts on how to stay safe while navigating the online world.
- GO WITH YOUR GUT – if something feels off, it usually is
- Do NOT share personal information too quickly
- Search the guy on Social Media; especially LinkedIn
- ALWAYS tell a friend the location of your date; even better use Find My Friends if you have Apple
- use a CONDOM every single time; STDs are NASTY
- video chat or phone chat before meeting them for the first time; you can’t assess a person properly over text
- meet in a public place for your first date
- Limit the kinds of pics you send the guy 😉
- do NOT let him pick you up or drop you off at your house
- TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
I’m not one to talk. I’ve broken almost every rule on this list at some point, however after my last date, I’m going to take my own advice moving forward!
From a Police Website for more formal online dating safety tips:
When it’s online:
At the beginning, keep the personal details that you share to a minimum
Don’t use your real name as your username
Don’t reveal details about where you live, work, or places you’ll be going
Message over the app or website instead of giving out your personal phone number.
Do not share images if you don’t feel comfortable with them being public
Remember that people are not always who they say are. If you are suspicious of someone report them to the app or website.
Do not feel pressured to meet someone if you aren’t comfortable.
Look in to a person’s online presence. If they have other social media accounts, be sure the details of these accounts match up with what they have told you about themselves. Ask yourself questions- do they have the social media presence you would expect?
When/if you decide to meet someone:
Be clear about your expectations and ensure that you are both on the same page.
Meet in public, stay in public.
Do not meet for the first time at the person’s home, or invite the person to your home.
Meet at the public location instead of accepting a ride from the person you are meeting.
Tell someone you trust where you are going and who you are meeting.
If you become uncomfortable with the date or the person, leave.
Always trust your gut.
Protect yourself:
Be suspicious when someone you haven’t met in person professes their love to you. Ask yourself – would someone I’ve never met really declare their love after only a few emails?
Be wary when someone you meet on social media wants to quickly move to a private mode of communication (email, text).
If trying to set up an in-person meeting, be suspicious if they always have an excuse to not meet.
If you do actually set up a meeting – tell family and friends when and where you’re going and meet in a local, public place.
Do not share personal (birthdate, address) or financial information with anyone you’ve only just met online or in person.
Never send intimate photos or video of yourself. The scammer may try to use these to blackmail you into sending money.
Be cautious when conversing with an individual that claims to live close to you but is working overseas.
Never under any circumstance send money for any reason. The scammer will make it seem like an emergency, they may even express distress or anger to make you feel guilty but DO NOT send money.
Should you be asked to accept money (e-transfer, cheque) or goods (usually electronics) for you to then transfer/send elsewhere, do not accept to do so. This is usually a form of money laundering which is a criminal offence.
If you suspect a loved one may be a victim of a romance scam – based on any of the above points – explain the concerns and risks to them and help them get out of the situation.
Investigate:
Do an image search of the admirer to see if their photo has been taken from a stock photo site or someone else’s online profile;
Look for inconsistencies in their online profile vs. what they tell you;
Watch for poorly written, vague messages, sometimes even addressing you by the wrong name – often scammers are working several victims at once;
If you have transferred money, stop the transaction if possible.
Report it:
If you did send money or share financial information, report it to the financial institution used e.g. your bank, Western Union, MoneyGram, Equifax and TransUnion.
Equifax – 1-800-465-7166 or https://www.consumer.equifax.ca
TransUnion – 1-800-663-9980 or https://www.transunion.ca
Gather all information pertaining to the situation, including the scammer’s profile name, how you made contact, social media screenshots, emails, etc. and contact your local police.
File a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – 1-888-495-8501 or www.antifraudcentre.ca.
Notify the dating website or social media site where you met the scammer. Scammers usually have more than one account.
Be proactive; tell family, friends, coworkers and neighbours about your experience to warn them about romance scams.
