Online dating can be a rewarding way to meet people, but a profile is only an introduction. Take time to verify identity and behavior before giving trust.
Keep money out of early relationships
Never send cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, bank information, or financial documents to someone you know only online. Do not receive or forward money for a romantic contact.
Protect your privacy
Use a unique password, keep your home address and daily routine private, and avoid sharing identifying details about grandchildren. Use the partner platform’s reporting and blocking tools when needed.
Meet in public
Arrange your own transportation, tell a trusted person where you are going, keep your phone charged, and choose a staffed public location. Leave whenever a boundary is ignored.
Verification has limits
Photo or identity verification can reduce impersonation, but it does not confirm every statement in a profile and is not the same as a background check. Continue to use your own judgment.