Dating Safety Tips
Effective Date: April 29, 2026
Introduction
Meeting new people is exciting, but you should always be cautious when interacting with someone you don’t know. Use your best judgment and prioritize your safety—whether you’re exchanging initial messages or meeting in person. While you can’t control the actions of others, there are steps you can take to help you stay safe during your Ready to Mingle™ experience. We also encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Ready to Mingle™ Safety Center features, which provide additional tools and guidance to support your safety.
Be Mindful of Your Personal Information
It’s natural to feel excited and curious about someone you’ve met online—we often want to learn as much as possible and may be eager to connect more directly. Before sharing ANY personal information such as your phone number or email address, take a moment to consider that this information cannot be taken back.
It is of course essential in the dating process to exchange personal information, but only proceed if you feel comfortable doing so. Be cautious if someone is overly persistent or asks for personal information too quickly. Some users find it helpful to use a separate email address specifically for meeting new people.
Beware of users who share a private email address or external links early in the conversation, as this can be a sign of phishing. Communicating through the Ready to Mingle™ platform is often the safest way to proceed until you’ve had a chance to get to know the individual in person.
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.
Protect Your Personal Information
Never share personal information, such as your Social Security number, home or work address, or details about your daily routine (i.e., that you go to a certain coffee shop on Mondays and a certain gym on Tuesday) with people you don’t know. If you are a parent, limit the information that you share about your children 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 within Ready to Mingle™ as you get to know someone. 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 stuck somewhere far away from home, 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
If something feels off, trust your instincts. Block and report any user who violates our policies. Examples include:
Requests for money or donations
Underage users
Harassment, threats, and offensive messages
Inappropriate or harmful behavior during or after meeting in person
Fraudulent profiles
Spam or solicitation including links to commercial websites or attempts to sell products or services
Please report any concerns about suspicious behavior to us
Protect Your Account
Use a strong password and be cautious when logging into your account from a public or shared computer. Ready to Mingle™ will never send you an email asking for your username and password information—if you receive an email asking for account information, don’t respond and report it immediately.
Meeting in Person
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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 Someone Your Plans
Share your plans with a trusted friend or family member, including location and timing. Have your cell phone charged and with you at all times.
Control Your Transportation
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 mindful of how drugs or alcohol affect you specifically—they can impair your judgment and reduce alertness. If your date pressures you to drink or use substances beyond your comfort level, trust your instincts, set clear boundaries, and leave if needed.
Don’t Leave Drinks or Personal Items Unattended
Know where your drink comes from and keep it with you at all times—only accept drinks poured or served directly by 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 with you at all times.
Leave if You Feel Uncomfortable
It’s okay to end a date early if you feel uncomfortable—in fact, it’s encouraged. If something doesn’t feel right or you feel unsafe, trust your instincts and ask the bartender or server for help.
