Using a Dating App? Here's How to Protect Yourself in 2021

A lot of people are turning to dating apps these days, especially since dating has become really challenging because of COVID-19 restrictions. But even though a dating app can be a great tool that you can use to meet new people you might be compatible with, there are also some serious drawbacks and risks to consider.
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To learn more, check out our list of tips on how to protect yourself in 2021 when you are using a dating app to find love.

Don’t Give Out Personal Information About Yourself

One smart way to protect yourself when using a dating app is by only sharing basic, general information about yourself. In other words, don’t give away too much about yourself, and never give out sensitive details that are personal and private.
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For example, don’t post your specific location, and if the app has any features that automatically pick up on your location and share it, it’s a good idea to turn those features off. 
Until you know exactly who you are talking to, and until you can rest assured that they are safe and trustworthy, proceed with caution. As you will see below, there are scammers on dating apps, so it isn’t wise to put personal details about yourself on the app or in private messages.

​Watch Out for Scammers

It’s sad, but true: there is the potential that you will run into a scammer when you are using a dating app. The key is to try to protect yourself as much as possible so you won’t become a victim.

How do people scam others on dating apps? Well, they can pretend to be someone they aren’t, and they can collect personal information from people after gaining their trust. 
Again, to protect yourself, don’t give away any of your personal information, whether you are setting up your dating profile or you are interacting with people via private messages.
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Also, in order to figure out if you are talking to someone who is being honest about who they are, you can use Nuwber to look up information about them, such as their contact details, police records, property info, lawsuits, and more.

If you determine that someone isn’t being honest, see if the app has a feature that allows you to block that person so they can no longer contact you. Also, reporting them to the app is a great idea to help keep others safe.

Use the App to Send and Receive Messages from Matches

​Although you might be tempted to give your matches your phone number so you can send text messages to one another throughout the day, it is actually best to stick with the app’s built-in system for messaging​. By doing so, you can avoid giving out your phone number to someone you don’t really know too well.

Again, until you get to know someone and until you have run a background check to verify that they are who they claim to be, it is wise to keep your private information secure. So, while it might be convenient to use your phone’s text messaging app, keep things on the dating app until you’re totally sure you can trust someone.
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Ultimately, with the right strategies in place, you can make the most of a dating app without needing to worry so much about your safety and security!