Start Slowly and Keep Control:

Online dating can work well, but safer users move gradually. Keep early conversations on the platform, use blocking and reporting tools when needed, and avoid sharing personal details before trust is earned. A genuine match should not pressure you to move money, reveal bank information or meet privately before you feel comfortable.

Common Warning Signs:

• Requests for money, gift cards, crypto, loans or emergency payments.
• Pressure to move immediately to private messaging or encrypted apps.
• Refusal to video call while pushing for emotional commitment.
• Stories that create urgency, secrecy or guilt.
• Links to unknown payment pages, investment schemes or suspicious verification sites.

Before Paying for a Dating Site:

Check what the free account allows, whether messaging requires payment, how renewals work and where cancellation happens. If you subscribe through Apple or Google, cancellation usually needs to happen in the app store subscription settings rather than only inside the dating app.

Take screenshots of pricing, renewal dates and cancellation confirmations. This gives you a record if you need to query a charge later.

Before Meeting in Person:

Choose a public place, arrange your own transport and tell someone you trust where you are going. Consider a short first meeting rather than a long private plan. If anything feels inconsistent, rushed or unsafe, you can leave or pause the conversation.

If Something Goes Wrong:

Use the dating platform’s report tools and keep evidence such as usernames, messages, payment requests and profile screenshots. If money has been requested or sent, consider contacting your bank and using the relevant UK fraud reporting channels.