8 dating safety tips everyone should know

Most bad experiences in online dating are avoidable. Not by being suspicious of everyone — but with a few simple habits.

Tip 1 — Only share your number when you're sure: Your phone number is more personal than your name. It allows callbacks, WhatsApp searches and in the worst case stalking. Only share it after building real trust — or use an app that can call anonymously.

Tip 2 — First meeting always in public: Café, restaurant, park, busy square — never a private apartment. Anyone who insists on inviting you home is a warning sign.

Tip 3 — Tell someone where you're going: Tell a friend: name and profile of your date, location, approximate time, when you'll be home. This takes 30 seconds.

Tip 4 — Your own way there and back: Come by your own transport. No shared rides on the first date — this gives you the freedom to leave at any time.

Tip 5 — Reverse image search before the date: Right-click on a profile photo → "Search image" on Google or tineye.com. If the image belongs to hundreds of other profiles, it's a stolen photo.

Tip 6 — No money transfers: Romance scams cause substantial losses every year — with unreported cases likely much higher. Rule: never transfer money to someone you don't know personally.

Tip 7 — Trust your gut feeling: If something feels off — strangely worded answers, too much pressure, weird requests — that feeling is valid. Blocking and reporting is always the right decision.

Tip 8 — Link social media only after the date: Your Instagram or LinkedIn reveals more than you think. Share this only after you've met the person in real life.

At talkbeforedate, Tip 1 is structurally solved: calls run anonymously through the app — you can call without ever sharing your number.