--- title: "Online Dating Safety Checklist: 15 Rules | Smooch" description: "15 online dating safety rules before meeting someone. Covers video calls, meeting safely, and what to do if something feels wrong." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.smooch.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Safety", "item": "https://www.smooch.com/safety/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Online Dating Safety Checklist", "item": "https://www.smooch.com/safety/online-dating-safety-checklist/" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "The Online Dater's Safety Checklist: 15 Rules Before You Meet", "description": "Online dating safety tips: 15 essential rules before meeting someone from a dating app. Covers video calls, meeting safely, and what to do if something feels wrong.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laurie Clarke" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Smooch", "url": "https://www.smooch.com" }, "datePublished": "2026-02-28", "dateModified": "2026-04-01", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.smooch.com/safety/online-dating-safety-checklist/", "articleSection": "Safety" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why do you need a safety checklist for online dating?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "With £106M lost to UK romance scams in 2024/25, having a personal safety checklist before meeting someone from a dating app is essential, not optional." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the 15 safety rules every online dater should follow?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The 15 rules cover profile verification, communication safety, meeting precautions, and ongoing personal security for online daters." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should you do if a date makes you feel unsafe?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Leave immediately, contact a trusted person, call 999 if you're in danger, and report the person to the dating platform." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the Ask for Angela scheme?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Ask for Angela is a UK safety initiative where you can discreetly ask bar or restaurant staff for help by saying 'Is Angela working tonight?' — they'll help you exit safely." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Smooch help you stay safe before, during, and after a date?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Smooch's multi-layered verification happens before you ever match with someone — government ID, credit card, email, and AI photo checks reduce risk from the first interaction." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "HowTo", "name": "How to Stay Safe When Online Dating: 15 Rules", "description": "A step-by-step safety checklist for online daters covering profile setup, communication, meeting in person, and ongoing safety.", "step": [ { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 1, "name": "Use a verified dating platform", "text": "Choose a platform that requires identity verification — not just an email confirmation." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 2, "name": "Don't overshare in your profile", "text": "Avoid including your surname, workplace name, or home address." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 3, "name": "Use a dedicated email address", "text": "Create a separate email for dating apps rather than using your primary email." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 4, "name": "Stay on the platform for early conversations", "text": "Verified platforms have safety features that WhatsApp and email don't." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 5, "name": "Video call before meeting in person", "text": "A 5-minute video call eliminates the vast majority of catfishing risk." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 6, "name": "Reverse image search their photos", "text": "Search their profile photos on Google Images to check they're genuine." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 7, "name": "Trust your instincts", "text": "If something feels off, pay attention — your subconscious picks up inconsistencies." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 8, "name": "Never send money to someone you haven't met", "text": "No exceptions. Genuine romantic interests do not ask strangers for money." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 9, "name": "Meet in a busy public place", "text": "Choose a café, restaurant, or pub during normal hours for your first meeting." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 10, "name": "Tell someone your plans", "text": "Share time, location, and profile details with a trusted friend." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 11, "name": "Arrange your own transport", "text": "Don't accept a lift — maintain the independence to leave whenever you choose." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 12, "name": "Keep your phone charged and accessible", "text": "Your phone is your lifeline — keep it charged and on your person." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 13, "name": "Limit alcohol consumption", "text": "Stay alert and in control on a first meeting." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 14, "name": "Share location with a trusted contact", "text": "Use Find My or Google Maps location sharing for the duration of the date." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 15, "name": "Report anything suspicious to the platform", "text": "Your report could protect someone else from a dangerous situation." } ] } ] --- [![Smooch](/assets/smooch-light-Du4HGwkQ.webp)Est. 2001 ](/) Safety Dating Guides Company [Log In](https://members.smooch.com/login)[Join Free](https://members.smooch.com/join) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Safety](/safety) 3. Online Dating Safety Checklist # The Online Dater's Safety Checklist: 15 Rules Before You Meet Last Updated: March 2026 ![Couple meeting safely for the first time in a bright coffee shop](/assets/safety-checklist-hero-BCq2tVw4.jpg) ## Why Do You Need a Safety Checklist for Online Dating? 💡 With £106M lost to UK romance scams in 2024/25, having a personal safety checklist before meeting someone from a dating app is essential, not optional. Online dating connects millions of genuine people every year. But the same openness that makes it work also creates opportunities for bad actors. Having a simple, practical safety routine doesn't mean being paranoid — it means being prepared. This checklist covers everything from the first message to the first meeting and beyond. Save it, bookmark it, share it with friends. These 15 rules represent the collective wisdom of dating safety experts, law enforcement advice, and the Smooch safety team's experience protecting members since 2001. ## What Are the 15 Safety Rules Every Online Dater Should Follow? 💡 The 15 rules cover profile verification, communication safety, meeting precautions, and ongoing personal security for online daters. ### Before You Start Chatting **Rule 1: Use a verified dating platform.** Choose a platform that requires identity verification — not just an email confirmation. On Smooch, members verify through government ID, credit card authentication, and email validation before their profile goes live. This single choice eliminates the majority of fake profiles before you ever encounter them. **Rule 2: Don't overshare in your profile.** Avoid including your surname, workplace name, home address, or any details that could identify you outside the platform. Your first name and general area are sufficient. A determined person can find your home address from surprisingly little information. **Rule 3: Use a dedicated email address.** Consider creating a separate email for dating apps rather than using your primary personal or work email. This limits exposure if the platform is ever breached and prevents someone from finding your other online accounts via your email address. ### While You're Getting to Know Someone **Rule 4: Stay on the platform for early conversations.** Verified dating platforms have safety features — message monitoring, reporting tools, and moderation. Moving to WhatsApp or email bypasses all of this. There's no good reason to leave the platform before you've established genuine trust. **Rule 5: Video call before meeting in person.** A 5-minute video call confirms the person matches their photos and can hold a genuine conversation. It eliminates the vast majority of catfishing risk. If they refuse — that's your answer. **Rule 6: Reverse image search their photos.** Right-click or long-press their profile photos and search Google Images or TinEye. If the photos belong to someone else, you've identified a fake profile. This takes 30 seconds and could save you months of emotional manipulation. **Rule 7: Trust your instincts.** If something feels off — even if you can't articulate exactly what — pay attention. Your subconscious often picks up on inconsistencies before your conscious mind does. Don't rationalise away red flags. **Rule 8: Never send money to someone you haven't met.** No exceptions. Not for travel, medical bills, business emergencies, or any other reason. Genuine romantic interests do not ask strangers for money. This is the single most important rule on this list. ### Before Your First Meeting **Rule 9: Meet in a busy public place.** A café, restaurant, or pub during normal hours. Avoid secluded locations, their home, or your home for the first meeting. Public spaces have staff, CCTV, and other people around — all of which increase your safety. **Rule 10: Tell someone your plans.** Share the time, location, and the person's profile details with a trusted friend or family member. Arrange a check-in call or text at a specific time. If they don't hear from you, they know where you are and who you're with. **Rule 11: Arrange your own transport.** Drive yourself, take a taxi, or use public transport. Don't accept a lift to or from the first date — you need the independence to leave whenever you choose, without relying on the other person. **Rule 12: Keep your phone charged and accessible.** Ensure your phone has enough battery for the entire date. Keep it on you, not in a coat left on the back of a chair. Your phone is your lifeline — treat it accordingly. **Rule 13: Limit alcohol consumption.** Stay alert and in control, particularly on a first meeting. You're still getting to know this person. Save the second bottle of wine for the third date. ### Ongoing Safety **Rule 14: Share location with a trusted contact.** Use your phone's location-sharing feature with a friend for the duration of the date. Both iPhone (Find My) and Android (Google Maps) have built-in options that are easy to set up and don't require any additional apps. **Rule 15: Report anything suspicious to the platform.** If something felt off during the date, or if the person's behaviour changed between online and offline, report it to the dating platform. Your report could protect someone else from a dangerous situation. # Rule When Priority 1 Use a verified platform Setup Essential 2 Don't overshare in your profile Setup Essential 3 Use a dedicated email Setup Recommended 4 Stay on the platform early on Chatting Essential 5 Video call before meeting Chatting Essential 6 Reverse image search their photos Chatting Recommended 7 Trust your instincts Always Essential 8 Never send money Always Non-negotiable 9 Meet in a busy public place First meeting Essential 10 Tell someone your plans First meeting Essential 11 Arrange your own transport First meeting Essential 12 Keep your phone charged First meeting Essential 13 Limit alcohol First meeting Recommended 14 Share your location First meeting Recommended 15 Report anything suspicious Ongoing Essential ## What Should You Do If a Date Makes You Feel Unsafe? 💡 Leave immediately, contact a trusted person, call 999 if you're in danger, and report the person to the dating platform. Trust your instincts and leave. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Your safety is more important than politeness, social convention, or the other person's feelings. If you feel uncomfortable, that is reason enough to go. **Practical steps:** Excuse yourself to the bathroom and leave through a different exit. Ask staff for help — many venues participate in the "Ask for Angela" scheme (see below). Call a friend or taxi and get to a safe location. Once safe, report the incident to the dating platform and, if necessary, the police on 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency). If you're in immediate danger, call 999. If you can't speak, call 999 and press 55 — this activates the Silent Solution system, which alerts the operator that you need help but cannot talk. This works on both mobile and landline phones. ## What Is the 'Ask for Angela' Scheme? 💡 Ask for Angela is a UK safety initiative where you can discreetly ask bar or restaurant staff for help by saying 'Is Angela working tonight?' — they'll help you exit safely. "Ask for Angela" is a nationwide UK scheme supported by the Home Office. If you're on a date and feel unsafe, approach any member of staff and ask: "Is Angela working tonight?" Staff are trained to recognise this as a distress signal and will help you — whether that means calling a taxi, escorting you to a safe exit, or contacting the police. The scheme operates in pubs, bars, restaurants, and clubs across the UK. Look for the "Ask for Angela" poster in venues — it's usually displayed in bathrooms. The scheme has been credited with helping thousands of people exit uncomfortable or dangerous situations since its launch in 2016. You don't need to explain the situation in detail. The phrase itself is enough. Staff will discreetly assist you without drawing attention or escalating the situation unless you ask them to. ## How Does Smooch Help You Stay Safe Before, During, and After a Date? 💡 Smooch's multi-layered verification happens before you ever match with someone — government ID, credit card, email, and AI photo checks reduce risk from the first interaction. On most dating apps, safety is reactive — you report problems after they happen. On Smooch, safety is proactive — verification happens before a profile goes live. By the time you see someone's profile, they've already passed five independent verification checks: government ID, credit card authentication, email breach validation, AI photo detection, and human moderation review. This doesn't just protect you from catfishing — it creates an entire community of verified, genuine people who have all passed the same rigorous checks. Everyone on Smooch has invested in proving they are who they claim to be. That shared investment creates a fundamentally different — and safer — dating environment. Safety isn't a feature you should have to think about. It should be built into the foundation of the platform. That's the principle Smooch was built on, and it's why thousands of UK singles choose verified dating over volume-based swiping apps. ### Related Pages [→ Online Dating Safety Guide](/safety/)[→ How to Spot a Catfish](/safety/how-to-spot-a-catfish/)[→ Video Call Before You Meet](/safety/video-verification-dating/)[→ How Smooch Keeps You Safe](/safety/how-smooch-keeps-you-safe/)[→ How to Report a Romance Scam UK](/safety/how-to-report-romance-scam-uk/) ### Explore More Guides [→ Dating Guides Hub](/guides/)[→ First Date Tips](/guides/first-dates/)[→ Profile Tips](/guides/profile-tips/)[→ Relationship Advice](/guides/relationships/)[→ Online Dating Safety](/safety/)[→ Compare Dating Apps](/compare/)[→ Free Dating Guide](/free-dating/) ### Ready to Make Real Connections? Join thousands of verified singles who chose trust over swiping. [Join Smooch →](https://members.smooch.com/join) ![Smooch](/assets/smooch-light-C64Ez_zs.png) Real People. Real Connections. Since 2001. The verified dating platform for people who are serious about meeting someone genuine. #### Guides - [How It Works](/how-it-works) - [Membership](/membership) - [First Dates Hub](/guides/first-dates) - [Profile Tips Hub](/guides/profile-tips) - [Relationships Hub](/guides/relationships) - [Love Languages](/guides/relationships/love-languages) - [How to End a Date](/guides/first-dates/how-to-end-a-date) - [Conversation Starters](/guides/profile-tips/conversation-starters) #### Safety - [AI Scam Detection](/safety/ai-dating-scam-detection) - [How We Keep You Safe](/safety/how-smooch-keeps-you-safe) - [Report a Scam](/safety/how-to-report-romance-scam-uk) - [Romance Fraud](/safety/what-is-romance-fraud) - [Safety Checklist](/safety/online-dating-safety-checklist) - [Safety Guide](/safety) - [Scam Statistics UK](/safety/romance-scam-statistics-uk) - [Spot a Catfish](/safety/how-to-spot-a-catfish) - [Video Verification](/safety/video-verification-dating) #### Dating - [Dating in Australia](/dating/australia) - [Dating in Canada](/dating/canada) - [Dating in Ireland](/dating/ireland) - [Dating in New Zealand](/dating/new-zealand) - [Dating in South Africa](/dating/south-africa) - [Dating in the UK](/dating/uk) - [Dating in the USA](/dating/usa) #### Company - [About Smooch](/about) - [Contact Us](/contact) - [Cookies](https://members.smooch.com/help/cookies) - [Privacy](https://members.smooch.com/help/privacy) - [Terms](https://members.smooch.com/help/terms) A service of Ambervine Inc, 56 Broad St STE 14074, Boston, MA 02109, USA. © 2026 Smooch. Est. 2001. Compare dating sites at [WhichDating.com](https://www.whichdating.com) [Terms](https://members.smooch.com/help/terms)· [Privacy](https://members.smooch.com/help/privacy)· [Cookies](https://members.smooch.com/help/cookies) [What Is Romance Fraud? ](/safety/what-is-romance-fraud) [AI Scam Detection ](/safety/ai-dating-scam-detection) 247 online Join Free → Ask us anything 💕 We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse, you agree to our use of essential cookies. [Learn more about our safety & privacy policy](/safety) Reject Non-EssentialAccept All