Lesson 1. A Quick Guide to Secure Online Dating

Online dating can bring you amazing experiences as well as dangerous and frustrating ones. But no matter what, safety should be your default priority when communicating with strangers online. While we at Flisk take safety very seriously and make sure that you have the safest dating experience possible, certain things are simply out of our control.

How to Stay Safe Online?

Be Cautious About Sharing Your Financial Information

Your safety is our priority, and Flisk safeguards your data. However, if you give out your financial information, it can become vulnerable. If someone urgently asks for your help with money, think twice. They might be trying to trick you. If you give money to such people, we cannot help get it back. So, before you offer financial help to someone on Flisk, let us know first. Remember, just like you wouldn’t tell a stranger on the street your bank account details, don’t share them online either.

Keep Your Personal Information Private

Chatting online requires caution. Sharing personal data and sensitive photos can harm your reputation. Keep your social security number, card details, regular hangouts, children’s schedule, and workplace confidential to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential harm. Avoid giving out details like your home address, workplace, or other identifying information until you are comfortable and trust the person.

Stay With Flisk Before You Trust Someone

Remain on our platform until you’re confident about your connection with someone. We can only ensure your safety when you’re using Flisk. Don’t rush to share your phone number or messenger IDs. Meet them offline only when you’re certain they’re trustworthy. If you feel pressured to share your personal details or meet offline, it might be a red flag.

Be Careful About Long-Distance Relationships

Beware of people claiming to be stuck abroad and asking for financial assistance. Scammers often use this tactic to get your money, without really being in any trouble.

Reach Out to Us If You Need Help with Safety Issues

Remember, while you are on Flisk, you can always turn to us for help and safety advice. If a person misbehaves or violates any of the rules on our site, just report them to us, and we’ll take care of it. Use our contact form to report any worrying situations, especially if you notice:

Money requests
Offensive behavior or content
Inappropriate offline behavior
Fake profiles
Users under the legal age
Spam or solicitation

Ensure Your Flisk Account Is Secure in Public Places

Use a strong password and avoid using your Flisk account from public devices. If you do, always remember to log out afterwards. If you receive an email from Flisk requesting your password, let us know right away.

Take Your Time

Even though you might be feeling lonely and eager to enter a new relationship, remember to prioritize patience and safety. Truly getting to know someone requires time. As you converse with your potential partner on Flisk, you’re in a protected environment where your interests are safeguarded. Be specific in your conversations and ask as many questions as possible questions to make sure you are talking to a real person. If something does not feel right, again, you are welcome to contact our support team to clear things up.

Research Your Match

Once you know their full name, consider doing a quick search online to see what comes up. This can help you verify basic details they’ve told you and ensure there are no obvious red flags. You can also check their profiles on social networks before you decide to meet in person. Photos will give you some additional information about hobbies, friends, and habits of your match.

Watch for Scammers

Be aware of the signs of online dating scams. This could include things like quickly professing love, avoiding meeting in person, asking for money, or having a tragic backstory that they use as an excuse for strange behavior. If you feel in doubt, it is better to contact our support team for a check. Here’s a checklist of red flags. If your match is behaving in a similar way probably they are scammers:

Rushing the relationship
Avoiding meeting in person or via video chat
Asking for money
Inconsistent information
Too good to be true
Poor grammar and spelling
Pressure to move the conversation off the dating app
Asking for personal information
They seem to always be in crisis
Using a tragic personal backstory

What We Do for Your Safety

We place a strong emphasis on maintaining robust security measures. To this end, Flisk employs a blend of physical, procedural, and digital safeguards to thwart any unauthorized attempts to access our members’ data. Our dedicated security team works tirelessly every day to ensure your safety. However, vulnerabilities do pop up from time to time, and that’s why we highly encourage you to be discreet about your personal information and approach us immediately if anything unusual happens.

If you ever experience problems with other users, or suspect fraud, or harassment in any form, please do contact our support team through the contact form on our website. If you feel suspicious about other members or someone pressures you into giving your personal information, report them to us too.

How Can You Stay Safe Offline?

If your communication with a potential date goes well, you’ll probably eventually want to see each other in real life. Here’s some stuff to consider before that.

Check that the Person is Real

It’s a good idea to call or video chat first, like on Snapchat or Facetime. This way, you can make sure they’re the same person as in their photos and see if you get along well.

We highly recommend video calling online before your first date in real life to ensure your security and enjoyment. Don’t skip this step even if you think that it is an overmeasure. Besides, it can also reduce the likelihood of ghosting.

Don’t Reveal Personal Information Early On

You have to plan carefully when you want to meet face-to-face. Your safety is very important. Don’t tell them personal stuff you wouldn’t want a stranger to know, say, your home address, phone number, workplace, or other identifying details. Think about safety before going on your first date.

Use a Google Voice Number

Giving your personal phone number right away might be not only uncomfortable but dangerous. Google Voice number or any other similar service can be a decent alternative.

The service provides you with a real phone number to make phone calls, send text messages and voicemails. Everything you need is just a Google Account to register and log in. It’s very handy that nearly all US and Canada calls are free. You can get more information here.

Choose Public Venues for In-Person Meetings

For your initial meeting, select locations that are public and crowded. Steer clear of your residence or that of your partner. Even if they suggest meeting at their place, remember that you have the right to choose a location where you feel safe and comfortable.

Inform a Trusted Contact About Your Date

Let a friend or relative know about your dating plans. Share the venue, time, and approximate return time with them. Ensure your phone is fully charged before you leave. Some people even share their live location with a trusted friend during the date, but you can consider it only if it is really relevant.

Arrange Your Own Transport

Opt for locations that you can easily reach by your own means. Being autonomous in your travel arrangements helps prevent uncomfortable situations and potential harassment. If you don’t drive, consider asking for a lift from a friend, or getting a cab. For the first few meetings don’t get picked up or dropped off at home.

Be Mindful of Your Health

Alcohol and drugs will highly affect your perception and judgment. If you can, try only to consume to the level that you are comfortable with, or do not consume such substances at all. If your date encourages substance use and you are uncomfortable with this, then they definitely are not the right match for you.

Never Leave Food or Drink Unattended

There’s a risk of criminals misusing your drink or food with the intent to commit sexual violence. Only consume food and drinks directly served to you, and always keep them in sight. Similarly, your belongings like your phone, purse, wallet, and identity should always be kept safe.

Remember, You Can Always Leave

If you feel at any moment uncomfortable or unsafe during the date, please end it immediately. Trust your instincts. Your safety should always be prioritized over others’ perceptions of you.

Avoid Sending Money

Be skeptical about your match requesting money or any financial help from the beginning. That could be a scam right there.

Watch for Red Flags

Never let inconsistent, too aggressive, or overly pushy behavior slip unnoticed. Don’t be shy, break off communication if any of these warning signals arise. Don’t worry if you’ll seem impolite, sometimes safety and your nerves are more important than someone’s judgment of your character.

With these tips in mind, you can definitely minimize risks and have a safer online dating experience.

That’s all for today! In our next lesson, we are going to discuss first-date anxiety and how to overcome it.

Your Flisk

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Lesson 1. A Quick Guide to Secure Online Dating

How to Stay Safe Online?