Meeting safely
Meeting someone you know only from photographs is unnerving, and that's sound instinct rather than paranoia. Here's what the platform checks before the date, and what's worth doing yourself.
What is checked beforehand
The platform takes on part of this, and it isn't a box-ticking exercise.
- Face verification: a selfie in a randomly chosen head position is matched against the profile photos. A pre-recorded video won't get through it.
- A profile that hasn't passed verification doesn't appear in matching at all – so the person across the table has proved they are the one in the pictures.
- Uploaded photos are checked for signs of being someone else's or heavily edited.
- You can leave feedback after the date. Complaints are reviewed, and they affect access to the platform.
What to do yourself
Simple habits that cost nothing and cut the risk sharply.
- Meet in public the first time: a café, a park, an exhibition. Not at home, and not at theirs.
- Tell someone close to you where you are and who with. A single message is enough.
- Get there and back under your own steam. That way you leave when you decide to, not when someone drives you.
- Don't send money – not a loan, not for a ticket, not for anything, however convincing the reason sounds.
- Don't drink more than usual and don't leave your glass unattended.
If something feels wrong
You can leave at any moment and without explaining. Nothing is owed to anyone just because they turned up: not politeness until the end of the evening, not a second meeting, not a reason. If the person doesn't match their photos, pushes you, asks for money or won't take no for an answer – end the meeting and report them through their profile. Feedback goes to the moderators, not to the other person. If you are directly threatened, contact the police: this is the situation where overreacting is better than being too embarrassed to act.
Common questions
How do I know the person is real?
The verified badge means a selfie in a set head position matched the profile photos. A short video call beforehand helps too.
Should I give out my phone number?
Not before you meet – the messaging is on the platform. You can always swap numbers once you've seen the person in the flesh.
They're asking for money before we meet. What now?
Don't send it and report them. A request for money before meeting in person is the most common sign of a scam, however plausible the story.
I'd feel rude walking out halfway through.
Saying you have to go is enough. You owe no reason, and the awkward feeling passes far quicker than an evening you sat through out of politeness.
Meet people with peace of mind
Face verification is required of everyone who takes part in matching.
Create a profile