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Dating Safety Tips

Meeting new people is exciting, but you should always be cautious when interacting with someone you don't know. Use your best judgment and put your safety first, whether you are exchanging initial messages or meeting in person. While you can't control the actions of others, there are things you can do to help you stay safe during your Tinder experience.

Online Safety

• Never Send Money or Share Financial Information

  Never send money, especially over wire transfer, even if the person claims to be in an emergency. Wiring money is like sending cash — it's nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace where the money went. Never share information that could be used to access your financial accounts. If another user asks you for money, report it to us immediately.

  For tips on avoiding romance scams, check out some advice from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on the FTC website.

• Protect Your Personal Information

  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 certain gym every Monday) with people you don't know. If you are a parent, limit the information that you share on your profile and in early communications. Avoid sharing details such as your children's names, where they go to school, or their ages or genders.

• Stay on the Platform

  Keep conversations on the Tinder platform while you're getting to know someone. Because exchanges on Tinder are subject to our Safe Message Filters, users with bad intentions often try to move the conversation to text, messaging apps, email, or phone right away.

• Be Wary of Long Distance and Overseas Relationships

  Watch out for scammers who claim to be from your country but stuck somewhere else, especially if they ask for financial help to return home. Be wary of anyone who will not meet in person or talk on a phone/video call—they may not be who they say they are. If someone is avoiding your questions or pushing for a serious relationship without meeting or getting to know you first — that's a red flag.

• Report All Suspicious and Offensive Behavior

  You know when someone's crossed the line and when they do, we want to know about it. Block and report anyone that violates our terms. Here are some examples of violations:

  • Asking you for money or donations
  • Underage users
  • Sending harassing or offensive messages
  • Asking for personal information
  • Trying to sell you products or services

  You can report any concerns about suspicious behavior from any profile page or messaging window. For more information, check out our
  Community Guidelines.

  • Protect Your Account

  Be sure to pick a strong password, and always be careful when logging into your account from a public or shared computer. Tinder will never send you an email asking for your username and password information — if you receive an email asking for account information, report it immediately.

Meeting in Person

• Don’t Be In A Rush

  Take your time and get to know someone before agreeing to meet in person. Exchange a few messages and maybe do a phone or video call before meeting up.

  Meeting someone for the first time can be nerve-racking, so choose a public and familiar location. Don't meet at someone's home, apartment, or other private location for your first date.

  Tell a friend or family member about your plans, including who you're meeting, where you're going, and when you expect to be back. Charge your phone and have a way to get home if needed.

• Meet in Public and Stay in Public

  Meet for 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

  Tell a friend or family member of your plans, including when and where you’re going. Have your cell phone charged and with you at all times.

• Be in Control of Your Transportation

  We want you to be in control of how you get to and from your date so that you can leave whenever you want. If you’re driving yourself, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan such as a ride-share app or a friend to pick you up.

• Know Your Limits

  Be aware of the effects of drugs or alcohol on you specifically — they can impair your judgment and your alertness. If your date tries to pressure you to use drugs or drink more than you’re comfortable with, hold your ground and end the date.

• Don’t Leave Drinks or Personal Items Unattended

  Know where your drink comes from and know where it is at all times — only accept drinks poured or served directly from the bartender or server. Many substances that are slipped into drinks to facilitate sexual assault are odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Also, keep your phone, purse, wallet, and anything containing personal information on you at all times.

• If You Feel Uncomfortable, Leave

  It’s okay to end the date early if you’re feeling uncomfortable. In fact, it’s encouraged. And if your instincts are telling you something is off or you feel unsafe, ask the bartender or server for help.

• LGBTQ+ Travel

  Be careful while traveling We recognize and believe in the importance of being inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations, but the reality is this: nowhere in the world is without potential risk, and some countries have specific laws that target LGBTQ+ people. Check out the laws around you when you travel to a new place and research what types of legal protection, if any, are available to you based on sexual orientation. In the event that you’re in unsafe territory, we suggest toggling off “Show me on Tinder” which you can find under the settings page. If you have added a sexual orientation to your profile and choose to be shown on Tinder, we will hide your sexual orientation from your profile until you leave that area. It’s important to exercise extra caution if you choose to connect with new people in these countries - as some law enforcement have been known to use dating apps as tools for potential entrapment. Some countries have also recently introduced laws that criminalize communications between individuals on same-sex dating applications or websites and even aggravate penalties if that communication leads to sexual encounters. Visit ILGA World to see the latest sexual orientation laws by country, and consider donating to support their research.
  Source: ILGA World, Updated March 2019

Resources for Help, Support, or Advice

Remember — even if you follow these tips, no method of risk reduction is perfect. If you have a negative experience, please know that it is not your fault and help is available. Report any incidents to Tinder, and consider reaching out to one of the resources below. If you feel you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 911 (U.S. or Canada) or your local law enforcement agency.

• Visit ThroughLine for help finding local mental health and crisis support
• Visit RAINN for resources related to sexual violence
• Contact the Crisis Text Hotline or Black Emotional And Mental Health Collectiveif you are experiencing an issue related to mental health