Staying Safe

We want all of our users to have a safe and enjoyable experience on our website. While the majority of our members are sincere and honest in the information they provide, as always exceptions do exist. Every profile is verified upon registration and screened to make sure they are appropriate. This process removes these rogue accounts.

We understand that meeting someone for the first time whether online, through an acquaintance or on an outing is intriguing and exciting. However, there are certain safety steps that you should follow while meeting your new friend both online and offline.

We ask you to read these guidelines in the interest of your personal safety and well-being. Remember, that you are always the best judge of your safety and these guidelines are not intended to be a substitute for your own judgment.

Do

• Only send messages to people you are interested in getting to know.
• Be friendly and kind to others.
• Keep dialogue on our internal messaging platform until you have built rapport.
• Respect others' opinions and decisions.
• Report inappropriate behaviour by clicking on 'Report Concern' from the profile page.

Don't

• Don't 'spam' a number of people with the same message.
• Don't be rude or offensive.
• Don't stand for abuse.
• Don't provoke or harass people.
• Don't respond harshly to rejection.

Safe & Secure Messaging

We recommend that all communication between members is carried out using our safe and secure messaging system until you feel safe to communicate outside of our platform. Communicating via our messaging system means that you do not have to disclose any personal details such as your full name, telephone number or email address to other parties.

Members can report to us, any messages that they feel are inappropriate or require further investigation by clicking the 'Report Concern' button on the profile. We will check every report that we receive and will take the necessary measures, ranging from a warning to deleting a profile.

Security of your Contact Details

We have given an option where members can choose to optionally add their telephone number to their Profile.

If you do not wish other members to have access to your direct contact details then do not complete this section of your profile.

Go with your instincts

If your partner preference is a 21-year-old doctor, or you come across a banker who claims that money is not important in their life, then it is completely acceptable for you to be sceptical. It is best to avoid contact if you doubt the information provided on a profile is legitimate.

Try to talk on the phone before meeting, ask lots of pro-active questions, listen for inconsistencies in information you are being told. You are under no obligation to meet people in person. If you are not sure or if it doesn't feel right, don't be intimidated into feeling you must meet them.

Meeting Safely

When meeting for the first time we strongly recommend that both parties meet in a safe public place such as a coffee shop. Do not go to their house, or invite them to yours for the first meeting.

If you are feeling shy meeting alone for the first meeting, why not suggest that both parties bring a friend or a relative along with them. This will also mean that you get a second opinion prior to moving forward.

Avoid taking the relationship further with those who appear significantly different in person from their online profile.

If you feel that the meeting is not going well or you are feeling uncomfortable, make your excuses and leave politely.

Use your own transportation

You need to be independent and in control of your own transportation to and from the meeting, especially in case things don't work out. Don't accept offers of a lift from your new friend.

Protect Your Personal Information

Information like your home address, place of work and so on are best kept to yourself until you feel absolutely secure about sharing them. Before giving out any personal information such as your phone number or email address, it is worth reflecting upon that fact that you cannot take this information back.

And just because somebody insists on giving you their details does not mean you have to reciprocate and give them yours. Be wary if they are too insistent about you doing this.

Romance Scams

Very simply, they are people who will try and build a relationship with you and then attempt to fraudulently obtain money from you. The basic rule is never send money to someone you have not met in person - even if you feel you really know them - and speaking on the telephone or via messaging - even if the person claims to be in an emergency. No genuine person would ask you for money.

If you are asked for money, something is wrong. If this happens, please contact us immediately.

Report any Concerns

It is really important that if you have any concerns about anyone using our website that you report them to us as quickly as possible by clicking on 'Report Concern' from the profile page.

If you have any immediate concerns about your safety or the safety of another person then you should call the Police using the emergency services number.