BEFORE TRUST
Keep identifying and financial details private
A first name is enough to begin. Do not share your exact address, workplace, daily route, passwords, verification codes, banking information or identifying documents with a new match. Small details can be combined, so think before revealing where you live or when you are usually alone.
Use a unique password for your email account and protect it with multi-factor authentication. Sexty sign-in links should remain private. No legitimate participant needs a code from your inbox or access to your screen.
WARNING SIGNS
Slow down when someone creates urgency
Common manipulation patterns include a sudden emergency, a request for travel money, an investment opportunity, a demand for gift cards or pressure to move immediately to another service. A person may also avoid ordinary questions while sharing an unusually intense story very quickly.
Do not send money, cryptocurrency or paid codes to someone you have only met through chat. Do not open unexpected files or sign in through links sent by a match. When in doubt, end the conversation and report what happened.
- Urgent money requests and guaranteed investment returns are major warning signs.
- Threats to publish private material are abuse, not a negotiation.
- A trustworthy person will respect your need to verify and slow down.
MUTUAL MEANS MUTUAL
Consent can be specific, conditional and withdrawn
Flirting or agreeing to one topic does not imply agreement to every next step. Ask before making a conversation sexual, sending intimate material or requesting private contact. A clear no, hesitation, silence or change of subject is a signal to stop or slow down.
Intimate conversations and material are only appropriate between adults who freely agree. Never pressure someone, save or share private content against their wishes, or use personal information as leverage.
A CLEAR EXIT
Leave online and meet offline on your terms
Use end conversation when you simply want to move on. Block a participant when you do not want further interaction, and report harassment, threats, scams or harmful content. Preserve relevant details if you need to report a serious threat to the appropriate local service.
If both people choose to meet offline, use a public place, tell a trusted person where you will be and arrange your own way home. Keep control of food and drinks, and leave if the person or situation differs from what you expected.
FAQ
Questions people ask before they start
What information should I never share in a random chat?
Keep passwords, login codes, financial details, documents, your exact address and other identifying information private until strong trust exists, and never share security credentials.
How do I recognize a romance or chat scam?
Warning signs include rapid emotional intensity, inconsistent stories, urgent money requests, investment promises and pressure to move platforms or open a link.
When should I block or report someone?
Block or report harassment, threats, scams, coercion, non-consensual sexual behavior or any interaction that makes you feel unsafe. You can also simply leave any conversation.
How can I meet an online match more safely?
Meet in a public place, tell someone you trust, arrange your own transport, keep your phone available and leave whenever you feel uncomfortable.