Dating Safety
Safety Tips for Dating

Meeting new people is exciting, but you should always be cautious when interacting with someone you don't know. Use your common sense and always prioritize your safety, whether you're exchanging initial messages or meeting someone in person. While you can't control others' actions, there are certain things you can do to keep yourself safe during your experience on Woomatch.

Online Safety

• Never send money or share financial information.
  You should never send money, especially not via bank transfer, even if the person claims to be in an emergency. Transferring money is like sending cash—it's nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace where the money was sent. You should never share information that could be used to access your financial accounts. If a user asks you for money, you should report it immediately. For advice on avoiding romance scams, you can read tips from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on the FTC's website.

• Protect your personal information.
  You should never share personal information such as your social security number, home or work address, or details about your daily routine (e.g., that you go to a specific gym every Monday) with people you don't know. If you're a parent, you should limit the information you share about your children in your profile and early communications. Avoid sharing information such as your children's names, where they go to school, or their ages or genders.

• Stay on the platform.
  Keep conversations on the Woomatch platform as you get to know someone. Users with bad intentions often try to immediately move the conversation to SMS, messaging apps, email, or phone calls.

• Be cautious with long-distance and overseas relationships.
  Beware of scammers claiming to be from your country but stuck elsewhere, especially if they ask for financial help to return home. Be skeptical of anyone who refuses to meet in person or speak on the phone/video call—they may not be who they claim to be. If someone avoids answering your questions or pushes for a serious relationship without first meeting you or getting to know you, it's a warning sign.

Report suspicious or offensive behavior
You know when someone crosses the line, and when they do, we want to hear about it. Block and report anyone who violates our terms. Here are some examples of violations:

• Requests for money or donations
• Inappropriate use
• Harassment, threats, and offensive messages
• Inappropriate or harmful behavior during or after a real-life meeting
• Fake profiles
• Spam or solicitations, including links to commercial websites or attempts to sell products or services

You can report concerns about suspicious behavior from any profile page or message window. For more information, see the Community Guidelines.

Protect your account
Make sure to choose a strong password, and always be cautious when logging into your account from a public or shared computer. Woomatch will never send you an email asking for your username and password—if you receive an email requesting account information, you should report it immediately.

Meeting someone in person

• There's no need to rush.
  Take your time and get to know the other person before agreeing to meet or chat on a platform beyond Woomatch. Don't be afraid to ask questions to uncover warning signs or things that are important to you. A phone or video call can be a useful screening tool before meeting someone in person.

• Meet in a public place and stay there.
  Meet each other the first few times in a populated, public place—never at your home, your date's home, or any other private location. If your date pressures you to go to a private location, end the date.

• Tell friends and family about your plans.
  Inform a friend or family member about your plans, including when and where you'll be going. Make sure your phone is charged and with you at all times.

• Arrange your own transportation.
  We want you to have control over how you get to and from your date so you can leave when you want. If you're driving yourself, it's a good idea to have a plan B, such as a rideshare app or a friend who can pick you up.

• Know your limits.
  Be aware of how drugs or alcohol affect you—they can impair your judgment and attention. If your date tries to pressure you into taking drugs or drinking more than you're comfortable with, speak up and end the date.

• Don't leave drinks or personal belongings unattended.
  You should always know where your drink comes from and where it is at any given time—only accept drinks that are poured or served directly by the bartender or server.