Online dating is one of the most popular ways to meet new people and explore romantic relationships. Ask anybody in the street – the chances are they’ll have used an online dating website at some point in their life. Especially when you consider how difficult it is to strike up a conversation with another single in person. There is no shame in relying on these services to find a good time.
However, you must also remember to be extremely vigilant and take extra precautions when using dating sites. While they can be a lot of fun, these sites are also home to people who might want to take advantage of you, financially or otherwise. To help you enjoy online dating safely, BeyondtheCharter have compiled a number of tips designed to protect your information while you’re looking for your next romantic relationship. . In fact, 3/10 Americans have admitted to using dating apps.
Check them out below.
Download the latest IOS version
If you know anything about online software and mobile apps, you’ll be aware of just how regularly developers make changes to the software and release updates. Usually, your device will download these updates automatically and you won’t have to worry about being left behind with a buggy dating service.
That being said, it’s always a good idea to check you are using the latest version of your online dating app. When these apps are updated, it usually fixes some flaws in the system. Developers find vulnerabilities every day and release patches to remove them.
Use facial recognition ID
The best dating app and hookup sites use a number of methods to ensure their users are genuine. One of the most fool-proof ways they do this is by asking you to provide a copy of your photo ID. This helps limit the amount of scam profiles and fake users, though some always manage to slip through the net.
If you are serious about staying safe online, look for websites which ask for facial recognition in order to use their site. Sure, it won’t eliminate every fake profile, but you’ll be able to chat to more people safe in the knowledge they are genuine users looking for romance just like yourself.
Only use verified dating sites with a good reputation
You’d be surprised just how many dating sites are on the internet at the moment. Aside from the big hitters like Tinder and Bumble, there are thousands of smaller sites which cater to niche demographics and kinks. No matter what you are looking for, there is probably a matchmaking service intended for your specific needs.
That being said, not all of these dating sites will be reputable. A lot are made just to scam you out of your money when you purchase the premium subscription. Do yourself a favor and consult review sites before committing to a dating service membership. These will tell you everything you need to know about any particular site and might save you the headache of paying for a subscription, only to find out all the members are fake.
Don’t click any suspicious pop-up notifications
Generally speaking, most genuine online dating apps will not plague you with any pop-up notifications, especially not the sort that sends you to other websites. If you are using a matchmaking service and a window pops up, you should simply ignore it. Better yet – take a screenshot and report it to the admins to investigate.
You will never be asked to pay for anything other than your membership on most dating sites. If you get a notification asking you to spend money on a feature, there is a good chance you are being scammed.
Don’t give out any personal information
This point should go without saying, but we’ll cover it anyway for those who need to hear it again.
If somebody asks for your personal information or financial details, they are looking to take advantage of you. Whenever you are chatting to somebody online, no matter how genuine they seem, make sure you keep a good deal of your life private. Don’t divulge your actual email address or tell them where you live. Most importantly, never accept any request to send somebody money.
There are a lot of horror stories about naive singles getting scammed out of thousands of dollars. You never have to worry about becoming one of these unlucky souls as long as you are careful about the information you share online.
Final Thoughts
We hope we have given you some handy advice for dating online safely. Done right, online dating can be a wonderful experience from which you can make all sorts of amazing relationships.
Best of luck, guys and girls!