Online dating and socializing can be great fun and we hope you meet your ideal partner using one of our sites. We hope to make online dating enjoyable for all our members and make every effort to provide a high level of privacy and security on our website. Like all online communities there are people who seek to take advantage of other users through scamming, or not being who they really claim to be and we urge all users to exercise caution. For instance, some users join the site but aren't looking for dating. Instead they may use your personal details to send unwanted advertisements or ask for money (which is known as a scam). To prevent yourself from undesirable contacts we have compiled a list of tips below to help you be on the safe side. As stated in our terms and conditions of use, we do not conduct background checks of any nature, nor do we conduct criminal checks on any user so you must be responsible for your own use of the site, safely.
Protect your finances
Ignore any request to send money, especially overseas or by wire transfer, and report it to us immediately – even if the person claims to be in an emergency. Wiring money is like sending cash: the sender has no protections against loss and it's nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money.
Never give financial information (such as you social security number, credit card number or bank information) to people you don't know or you haven't met in person.
Guard your personal and online access information
Be careful about sharing other personal information, such as your full name, phone number, email and address. You are in control of your online dating experience at all times – remain anonymous until you feel ready. Take advantage of our member-to-member technology that protects your identity. Also, leave any personal contact information out of your profile or username.
Use extra caution when accessing your account from a public or shared computer so that others are not able to view or record your password or other personal information. If you share your computer with others, disable the auto sign-in feature to your account and clear all saved passwords.
Note: We will never send you an email asking for your username and password information. Any such communication should be reported immediately.
Be Web Wise
Be wary of communications that ask you to act immediately, offer something that sounds too good to be true, or asks for personal information. There are certain red flags to watch for that may indicate you're dealing with a scammer. Be aware of anyone who…
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's advice to avoid online romance scams is available here: http://onguardonline.gov/articles/0004-online-dating-scams
Be cautious and use common sense. If personal details provided by another person don't seem to add up, they behave suspiciously or pressure you for personal or financial information – block communications with that person and report them to us immediately.
Report suspicious users
You can block any unwanted user. Additionally, please report anyone who violates our terms of use. Examples of terms of use violations include:
Your involvement will help keep the community fun and enjoyable.
Get to know the other person before meeting them offline
Use the technology on our Service that protects your anonymity to get to know someone before disclosing personal information or meeting in person. We don't conduct criminal background checks on our users, so if you would like more information about someone, we recommend using the Internet and government resources available to everyone. This can include typing the person's name into a search engine, reviewing public information made available by government offices, or using a paid service to obtain a full background report.
Always meet in public
Meet for the first time in a populated, public location – never in a private or remote location, and never at your date's home or apartment.
Stay in a public place
It is best not to go back to your date's home or bring them back to yours on the first date. If your date pressures you, end the date and leave at once.
Tell a friend
Inform a friend or family member of your plans and when and where you're going. If you own a mobile phone, make sure you have it with you.
Stay sober
Keep a clear mind and avoid doing anything that would impair your judgment and cause you to make a decision you could regret.
Drive yourself to and from the first meeting
Just in case things don't work out, you need to be in control of your own ride – even if you take a taxi.
Keep personal items with you at all times
You don't want to risk having personal information stolen. If you're drinking, keep your drink with you at all times so it can't be tampered with.
Long Distance Meetings
Long distance meetings pose special safety concerns to take into account. Keep these tips in mind.
