Dating safety
Online Dating Safety Tips: Meet Someone New with Confidence
The controls you have on Single Encounters, the warning signs of a romance scam, and how to plan a first date you can enjoy.
You’re in control from the first hello
Four controls every Single Encounters member has, right from the day they join.
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Your username, not your name
Matches know you by a username. Your real name and your email are never on display.
You choose when, and whether, someone learns who you are.
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Your town, not your address
Your profile gives your nearest town or city and nothing more precise: no address, no live location.
Matches can see you’re local without knowing where you live.
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Block anyone
Block a member and they can no longer contact you.
A conversation you’d rather not have ends there, with nothing to explain.
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Report what feels wrong
Report a profile or a message from inside the site.
If someone asks for money, pushes for personal details or makes you uneasy, flag it.
Spot a romance scam before it costs you
Romance scams start like any other conversation. The scammer is warm, attentive and keen to move fast: strong feelings within days, plans to meet that keep falling through, and then a problem only money can fix. A flight home they can’t afford, a hospital bill, a parcel held at customs, an investment that can’t wait.
Whatever the story, the answer is the same. Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you haven’t met, and never share your bank details or passwords. Other warning signs: they’re working abroad or somewhere remote, their photos look like a magazine shoot, their story changes from week to week, or they want to move to another messaging app straight away.
Ask for a video chat before you meet. It takes five minutes, and anyone who is who they claim to be won’t mind a quick hello on camera. If they keep finding reasons not to, take that as your answer.
Sent money or shared your bank details? Call your bank straight away. Then report it to Report Fraud, the national service that replaced Action Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or call Police Scotland on 101 if you live in Scotland. Report the profile on Single Encounters too.
Plan a first date you can relax on
- Meet somewhere public. A café, a busy pub or a park in daylight. Not your home, and not theirs.
- Tell a friend. Share who you’re meeting, where and when, and agree a time to check in.
- Make your own way. Get yourself there and home again, so you can leave whenever you like.
- Keep it short. A coffee or one drink is plenty for a first meeting. If it goes well, plan a second.
- Mind your drink. Keep it with you, and stay clear-headed enough to make your own choices.
- Go with your gut. If something feels off, leave. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Stuck for somewhere to go? Our guide to meeting singles in the UK is full of ideas.
Take your time before you share your number
There’s no rush to swap numbers or move to another app. Keep chatting on Single Encounters until you’ve had a video chat and feel sure about the person. Then share a little at a time: a first name and a mobile number come long before your surname, your workplace or your address.
Think about what your photos give away, too. A street sign, a car number plate or your office in the background tells a stranger more than you might like. And if someone pushes to take the conversation elsewhere straight away, ask yourself why. Someone who wants a relationship with you will still be there next week.
New to Single Encounters? See how matches and messages work, or read our house rules.
Dating safety: your questions
How do I report someone on Single Encounters?
Report their profile, or the message, from inside the site. If you’ve lost money, speak to your bank first and then to Report Fraud, or Police Scotland on 101.
What happens when I block a member?
They can no longer contact you, so the conversation stops. You don’t need to give a reason.
Can other members see where I live?
No. They see your nearest town or city, which is enough to know you’re local. Your address and your live location are never shown.
How can I tell if a dating profile is fake?
Any dating site can attract people who aren’t who they say they are. Be wary of very few photos, a story that doesn’t add up, or someone who won’t video chat. A reverse image search can show whether their photos appear elsewhere under another name. If in doubt, report the profile.
When should I give someone my phone number?
When you’re ready, and not before. A video chat first helps, and a mobile number is a far smaller step than your home address or your social media accounts.
Ready for your next step?
More on meeting someone through Single Encounters and Encounters.uk.