None of the dating sites are safe. Some dating sites are worse than others. I would avoid flurv, Scout and meet me like the plague, they are all connected and it's almost nothing but scammers. Scammers are almost always very very easy to spot. Most of the time I can spot them in less than 1 second, sometimes it takes a few conversations as long as you don't do anything stupid, you will be fine.

Stupid things never to do

Never ever under any circumstances give anyone anything online. And I do mean anything, cell phones, gift cards, I tunes, money, your address, any personal information.. some of the scammers will wait a while, sometimes years.. This is why you don't stay on the phone or online with them too long.

Never ever put pictures of children on a dating site. That is really probably the most stupid thing anyone could do and unfortunately it's very very common.

Have a second phone number that you can talk to them. Do not give them your main number. There are plenty of free apps like Google voice.

If someone calls you but says nothing, do not call them back, this is a scam. You will get hit with very high charges.

Never ever give anyone your real name, sometimes people ask. Sometimes they just don't know any better or sometimes they are scammers. Don't take the chance. You can tell them your real name when you meet in person.

Do not spend a lot of time chatting online, do not spend a lot of time talking on the phone. If they cannot talk on the phone within two days, it's a scammer or they don't have the time to talk anyway so you're wasting your time. You should meet in the real world in less than one week. If they make all kinds of excuses their either a scammer or they just don't have the time. Either way they are a waste of your time.

Never ever waste your time on someone who is more than 50 miles away, I keep it less then 20 miles. Why?? Common Sense. Most people don't have it.. People have jobs, they don't have a lot of time, they have responsibilities, children, the cost of transportation is high and who has all that time? Not very many people and if they do have all this free time it's usually because they are unemployed or on SSI and unemployed people or low income much of the time are looking for someone to support them, don't waste your time.

Watch out for anyone who does not have a car. There's always a much bigger problem behind that. DUI, just got out of jail, don't have a job.. You will end up being their chauffeur and much worse.

When you meet the real world, make sure somebody knows where you are. Better yet, have a friend go to the restaurant or whatever PUBLIC place you choose. Have them sit at a close by table, they can watch to make sure nothing is slipped into your drink.. Take a picture of the person you're meeting, take a picture of their license plate and car.

Believe it or not, online dating can be risky. We've all heard horror stories from our friends (the kind that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up), but in fact, what's the most common risk we might face when looking for love online?

Fraud, catfishing, harassment, abuse and data breaches are just some of the obvious threats. No one has ever said that love is easy, but with a better understanding of the risks of online dating, we can make it less dangerous.

Fraud and scams from fake dating sites. There are more than 1,000 fake dating sites around the world that scam lonely people through extortion, fraud and more.

Fake and dishonest accounts are a huge problem, even on real dating sites. They can trick people into sharing private information, sending money, or sharing sexual images that are later used in extortion and extortion schemes.

You have to know how to protect yourself on dating sites

When it comes to online dating sites, they take a bunch of measures to keep you safe and secure from scams. one of the main things they do is verify profiles to make sure they're legit. this can include email verification, phone number verification, or even social media account linking. another biggie is monitoring for any suspicious activity. these sites use fancy algorithms and real-life humans to keep an eye out for any fishy stuff going on. they also have reporting systems in place so you can flag anything that doesn't seem right.

oh, and let's not forget about encryption and data protection. online dating sites take your privacy seriously and use top-notch security measures to keep your personal info safe from hackers. at the end of the day, online dating sites want you to have a great experience without worrying about scams or safety issues. If you have lost money to online dating scam and you want it back, report to spec ter lynx right away.

#1 NEVER post pictures of your children. Don't mention where they go to school either.

After that, the main thing is to not post any personal details that might reveal your full identity or how to find you. Don't mention the name of the place you work. Don't mention the specific places you hang out (“I love to hike in the Sonoran Desert” is fine. “I love to hike Finger Rock Trailhead #42 every Saturday at sunrise” is asking for trouble). Don't post images that could be used to determine where you live. Don't post your name or the name of your childhood pet or the street where you grew up.

Basically, don't provide any clues for stalkers to find you. Most people are actually decent but the volume of people who can see your profile will be such that some people aren't. You don't want to be ambushed by someone who you rejected in the talking stage or who just became obsessed with your image and never even messaged you.

Also don't talk too much about money or material things—this can open you up to thieves and scammers.

In general your dating profile probably isn't going to lead to danger. But you don't know who's looking at it. Don't share anything you wouldn't share with a total stranger.

Firstly - I should declare bias: Although I am writing this on my own time, my job is user-safety at OkCupid. I will be relatively generic and try to cover all the major dating sites in this response though. Safety isn’t something that is considered a company-partisan issue; we all co-operate when we need to because it’s good for the industry as a whole.

Nearly all of the mainstream dating sites take safety very seriously - All the companies in the Match Group put huge amounts of effort into it, probably more than any other online businesses. I talk to my counterparts in organisations that aren’t in our group as well, and they are all committed to user safety in the same way as we are. It’s not just something they say, it’s something they are committed to.

So it’s not that easy to answer the question! All of the mainstream sites are as safe as they can make them but the problem is, we are dealing with real people with their own independent minds and wants and that makes things pretty difficult sometimes!

I am going to speak mostly for OkCupid here because it’s what I know - It’s not an advert, I could be speaking about Match, POF, Tinder, Bumble, eHarmony or any of the big names in : Comparison of online dating services - Wikipedia.

We do what we can to educate users - For a lot of people this is a whole new world. They don’t know the protocols, they are already feeling vulnerable signing up for a dating site and they have taken a big step by mentally committing to meeting people online. I don’t want to say “it’s a dangerous world out there” because the majority of dates happen quite safely - But of course there are exceptions and people should be as aware as they would be in non-online generated dates, maybe more so because these people probably haven’t been pre-vetted by friends.

So my advice for any site and any early dating:

1. Learn about scammers. All of the sites will do their best to keep scammers off the sites but it’s very hard. There are thousands of scammers, and it’s a full time job for them and some slip through. Scammers will pose as military personnel, widows working abroad - All sorts. Read up on Romance Scammers (Google is your friend) and educate yourself. Basically, if the language they are speaking doesn’t seem right, if they can’t answer basic local questions without sounding like a tour-guide who has only ever read Wikipedia or they have some weird and wonderful story, don’t trust them! NEVER EVER send money to anyone. Ever. Even if they talk to you on the phone (sometimes, especially if they talk to you on the phone but are iffy about meeting) that isn’t an indicator of them being real. It is trivial for an African scammer to get a phone number in any local area code.
2. Don’t give your phone number out too quickly - If you keep communication on the dating site, then you are much more protected. If the user is discovered to be a scammer or has other bad-reports against them then we will ban them pretty quickly and they will vanish. If a user vanishes and re-appears under another name, that is a very very bad sign. We ban people for good reasons. If you have given them your phone number or email address too quickly then you won’t see if we have banned them.
3. Google the person’s photos! Don’t ever be scared of doing some research. It’s not creepy or impolite, it’s just sensible! Generally on most browsers if you right click on a photo there’s a way to google reverse image search it - Sadly, it’s not that easy on the mobile apps, which is probably something I should think about myself!
4. Consider making the first date a 30 minute lunch meeting for a coffee - Just to get the feel for the other person before you go on a longer proper date another time. I have heard that most people have the most success with this approach, and it saves a lot of awkward long evening dates happening.
5. If you are going on a first date with somebody, take all the precautions you would usually take on any date! Make sure somebody knows where you are going and who you are with. Make sure they have the other person’s contact details too and get them to check in with you by phone. It sounds silly, but have a safety phrase you can say if something is going wrong then they can call you back and give you an excuse to leave. Make sure your cellphone is fully charged before you go on the date.
6. Again, like any other date, be careful where your drinks are coming from! In any form of dating being drugged is a serious first-few-date risk. Don’t leave a drink unattended, if you need to go to the bathroom take your drink with you or subtley ask the wait-staff to keep an eye on it! It sounds odd, but this stuff is important. How to Stay Safe from Roofies and Date Rape Drugs seems to be quite a good article.
7. More and more locations in the USA are implementing an “Angel Shot”
   [1]
   scheme that is advertised in the women’s bathrooms. This gives women a code-phrase to use at the bar to indicate that she is in trouble and to enable the bar or wait-staff to help her out. That being said, if the bar doesn’t, there is no reason you shouldn’t take a bathroom break and ask one of the staff to ask a manager to help you out. Snopes indicates that the formal Angel Shot scheme is not as popular as people think
   [2]
   but never be worried about asking anyway!
8. Make sure your date is aware that you have somebody waiting for you. If you decide to go home with them then tell the person who is waiting for your call. I don’t want to tell you not to have fun, I just want to make sure you do it safely!
9. If something does happen, even if it’s just a creepy vibe or something, report it to us! We do take notice of your flags, and if a person is getting a lot of weird flags saying they are creepy, we will check them out and potentially ban them.
10. This one doesn’t really fit into the timeline of the above but sometimes it’s best to have discussed matters of protection, STIs, contraception and consent before you meet - The problem with some people is that this might set expectations for the meeting you don’t want to set; this can be a problem and it’s really hard to tell people what to do because it’s something unique to every individual. What I can say is that I have seen tens of thousands of talks about consent, STIs and the like and they have all gone well. Most people appreciate the ice-breaking and the opportunity to discuss things like minor infections, or carrying contraception. Be adult about it, make sure both parties realise that no means no and nothing is set in stone. It’s often best to just straight up say that nothing is going to happen on that first date, then the pressure is off.

Most dating sites have their own help and safety pages, here’s some examples from OkCupid:

Consent and dating

Safety tips

Online dating is hugely popular these days. Over 50% of people are now using online dating services to meet people and that number is growing. There’s no stigma or weirdness about dating online now, it’s absolutely the normal thing to do.

Footnotes

Online dating is a lot of fun, but it can be risky at times as you don’t know whether the person has an alternate ego. That’s why it’s wise to take a few safety precautions while dating online.

Sometimes in adult dating, people get less concerned about safety. But that should not be the case. Staying safe is a lifetime chore.

Earlier the concern was meant for females only, but now males have equal chances of meeting frauds. So, safety is crucial irrespective of your gender and age.

Find out some of the tricks of the time that can keep you safe, without shoving off the fun part. Read the following safety measures before signing up in the free dating app in India.

1. Google yourself. Sounding ridiculous? Maybe! But it’s one of the first things you should do before online dating. Check how much information about you is available online. When someone will find interest in you, that’s how they will proceed. So, be alert of your online PI beforehand.

2. Avoid giving your personal cell phone number. Instead get a free Google Voice number. Download the Google Voice app and generate a separate number for your dates.

3. Never ever reveal your professional life until you are quite sure about the person in opposite. Some apps may try to fetch your job title, company name salary at the time of registration. However, the best free online dating app in India will never do these kinds of security breach.

4. Always meet your date in a crowded place. Meeting in public is always safe than private dates. Once you know the person inside out, only then go to private romantic gateways.

5. Drive yourself to and from your dating location. You may also take the public transportation. But don’t travel in private with your date.

Try online dating – it’s exciting and adventurous. But you should keep in mind the above safety precautions.

Ah, some are reliable actually. Of course, I have to admit that dating apps are online products after all, and many security issues are indeed inevitable. I don't think even the most popular dating apps can guarantee that their users won't encounter scammers and fake accounts in the process. So, what you have to do is try to find an app that allows a relatively secure way to sign in. For me, I think CougarD is nice, because it won't ask for your phone number to sign up or log in, just use your email address. I was afraid that there would be a lot of harassing information, so I signed up with an email address that I don't use very often. However, after using it for a while, I found that no one sent me harassing messages. Most of the people above are very sincere in their search for their other half, and I have to say that I like the atmosphere. Of course, after all, it is an online dating app, and there must be some fake accounts, but the team at CougarD has done a good job in this regard and they are constantly improving. I feel safe and comfortable when I use it to find a date. Although I didn’t find a suitable partner there, I think CougarD is worth my paying and time.

Many dating websites have notifications on the sites advising members to be cautious about revealing overly personal information to people who they meet online, and to refrain from wiring money to people who they meet online. As an affiliate marketing owner of 4 niche dating websites, I’m pleased that my dating sites email and post these messages to the dating site members because singles need to be reminded that it is up to them to do their own due diligence with regards to screening the people who they are interested in.

We all have to do our own due diligence with EVERYTHING in life. Some dating websites such as my own provide verification options to members who want to prove that they are who they claim to be. Members can opt to send in photo ID and proof of income for verification. Although it’s not mandatory to do this, members who do so will receive a status of VERIFIFED placed on their member profiles, and having that verification stamp will inspire other members to connect with them.

Pretty much the same ones you’d use for posting anything on social media.

Namely, don’t post too much!

I want to have a decent ‘sense’ of a woman from looking at her profile, but in my mind it’s a fail if I can fault her simply by looking at it. Most I look at will readily indicate that she either just isn’t very smart, or prone to making poor choices. To me, that’s a turn-off.

Any lawyer will tell you to keep your mouth shut and don’t talk to the police if you’re being interviewed. The same is largely true with dating sites! Most women around my parts who use them post just enough ‘incriminating’ things that it’s very easy to conclude that they are a neurotic dumpster fire largely lacking in life competency and not being compatible with someone like me.

However, there are a few things that really should not be discernable from a dating profile. Where you live, where you work, and your family, for instance. Save these for after you’ve met a person and can decide whether you want them to know this or not. Do not post a photo of the front of your house that includes the house number, for instance. Do not post a picture of yourself in your work clothing that indicates precisely where you are employed, particularly if it’s in retail or the like which is open to the public. It’s okay to state that you have children, but it’s best to not post pictures of them, especially with their names.

The problem is that you have no idea who may be looking at this. It may well be someone you’d much rather not have looking at it. Don’t make it too easy for them to figure out where to find you at.

When meeting someone from an online dating site for the first time in a public place, it's essential to prioritize safety. Beforehand, share your location and plans with a trusted friend or family member. Meet in a well-lit, busy area during the daytime. Avoid secluded or isolated spots. Trust your instincts and if something feels off, leave immediately. Do not share personal information or bring valuables. Stick to public transportation or your own vehicle. Lastly, be cautious with alcohol and never accept drinks from strangers. Remember, safety should always come first in any dating situation.

Answers are based on these recent events yet you’re compelled to not even state what they are.If you think your safety is at risk perhaps you shouldn’t use them.There are but a few open minded people left in these arenas.They rarely speak of safety concerns because they know it’s their responsibility.They conduct themselves in a manner conducive to their intentions.Dating sites have become filled with users with ulterior motives and they know their actions aren’t all that genuine.So it only makes sense that they would have concerns.

Sites are merely a bulletin board where people come and look for whats available.They can’t control what they assume are adults acting as such on their site. It wouldn’t be cost effective or profitable if they had to provide armed escorts.The users would fit that bill and and the sign up fees would be enormous.

What you could do may seem a little controversial since for the most no one does it.You should read the terms of use for any of these sites.What your responsibility is and their rules of engagement. you signed it.Why wouldn’t you read it!

Remember these safety tips:

• Choose a username that doesn’t let everyone know who you are. Don't include your surname or any other identifying information such as your place of work either in your profile or when you first make contact.
• Remember that overtly sexual, provocative or controversial usernames could attract the wrong kind of attention.
• Keep contact details private.
• Be careful when accessing your account from a public or shared computer so that others can't view or record your password or personal information.
• Sometimes when you're excited about someone, your instincts can be confused by strong feelings. Take care and take your time when you talk about yourself. You don’t need to give out your life-story the first time you chat – and you shouldn’t
• Do not send inappropriate pictures of your self to the person also do not let them send inappropriate pictures of themselves to you if they do on the website or app report them sooner rather than later.
• Be skeptical of someone if you’ve been on more than 6 dates and haven’t met their family or friends; or if you don’t know where they live; or if they haven’t friended you on Facebook. They may be cheating on someone.
• Do not talk about problems you have with your boss or fellow employees or anyone in general.
• Be skeptical of anyone without a few close friends. A person doesn’t have to have a lot, but having none is a major red flag.
• Don’t be afraid to question their authenticity – if they are genuine they won’t mind you trying to verify them. Remember, they may spend months building a relationship with you and will only ask for money once you’re emotionally involved. Ask a friend for advice as they are not as emotionally involved as you, they may be able to see something you can’t.
  
  Look out for fake or stolen photographs. You can use sites like Reverse Image Search to check the authenticity of a photo and you can try doing a reverse image search on Google (by clicking on the camera logo in the search bar and uploading an image) to see if they are using a fake picture.
• If someone asks you for money stop talking to them and report them to the site. Never send anyone money no matter how much they tell you they love you and even if you think you love them. If you haven’t been dating for awhile, and that means going out on physical dates with a real person, they are a scammer. It doesn’t matter how sad or legit their story sounds.
• If the person you meet is too flirty and asks a lot of personal information about yourself be careful they may have alter motives.
• Meet in public. Stay in public. Never let anyone pick you up at your residence on the first or second date. Meet them at a public place. Let other people know where you are going to be.