Safe Dating Guide
Simple advice to help you chat, meet and date with confidence.
Meeting someone new should be enjoyable. Most conversations and dates are positive, but it's always sensible to take a few simple precautions. Use this guide to help protect your privacy, spot warning signs and plan safer dates.
In an emergency or immediate danger, call 999.
On a mobile and can't speak safely? Call 999, and if prompted by the automated system, press 55 to be connected to the police (the “Silent Solution”).
While you are chatting online
Take your time getting to know someone. Genuine people respect your boundaries and won't pressure you into sharing personal information.
Do
- Read the person’s full profile.
- Look for verification badges.
- Ask natural questions about their interests and lifestyle.
- Keep early conversations inside Hull Dating.
- Take your time before sharing your mobile number.
- Consider a video call before meeting.
- Trust your instincts if something feels off.
- Report suspicious or uncomfortable behaviour.
Don't
- Share your home address.
- Reveal alarm codes, passwords or security info.
- Share your workplace if it identifies where you’ll be.
- Share your children’s school or routine.
- Send financial information.
- Send intimate photos because someone pressures you.
- Feel obliged to move to WhatsApp or another app.
- Click suspicious links sent in messages.
- Reuse your Hull Dating password elsewhere.
Warning signs to look out for
Be cautious if someone:
- Tries to move the chat off Hull Dating straight away.
- Declares strong feelings or love unusually quickly.
- Avoids answering simple questions.
- Tells stories that keep changing.
- Refuses every video call.
- Uses only one photo or overly professional photos.
- Constantly claims to be travelling or working abroad.
- Can’t meet due to repeated emergencies.
- Asks for money, loans, gift cards or crypto.
- Requests your bank information.
- Pressures you to keep the relationship secret.
- Becomes angry when you set boundaries.
- Tries to isolate you from friends or family.
- Sends threatening or controlling messages.
- Sends links asking you to “verify” on another site.
Fake profiles and romance scams
Fake profiles may use stolen photos, invented details or copied messages. Scammers often spend time building trust before asking for money or personal information. Possible signs:
- Photos look too polished or inconsistent.
- Their age, location or background changes.
- Messages are generic or dodge your questions.
- They avoid appearing live on camera.
- They make excuses not to meet.
- They quickly discuss marriage, investment or hardship.
- They ask for help with travel, medical or family bills.
- They recommend a crypto or trading “opportunity”.
- They ask you to receive or transfer money for them.
Before your first date
1. Choose a public place
A coffee shop, restaurant, busy bar, shopping area, bowling venue, attraction or a busy park in daylight. Avoid either person's home for a first meeting.
2. Tell someone
Tell a trusted friend or relative who you're meeting, the profile name, where and when, when you expect to be back, and how you're travelling.
3. Arrange your own transport
Travel separately. Sort your own taxi, lift or public transport, and keep enough money or battery to get home. Don't rely on your date for transport.
4. Charge your phone
Phone fully charged, emergency contact saved, mobile data available, and your taxi app ready if you use one.
5. Consider a video call
A quick video call can help confirm the person resembles their photos and seems genuine. It's reassuring — but not a guarantee of safety.
Use Date Check-In
Set a timer before your date. If you don't confirm you're okay, we'll ask your trusted contact to check on you.
Set up a Date Check-InWhile you are on the date
Recommended
- Meet in a busy public place.
- Keep your phone with you.
- Keep control of your own transport.
- Watch your drink being prepared where you can.
- Keep your drink with you and drink responsibly.
- Tell someone if your plans or location change.
- Leave if you feel uncomfortable.
- Ask venue staff for help if you need it.
Avoid
- Leaving your drink unattended.
- Accepting an opened drink you didn’t see poured.
- Feeling pressured to drink alcohol.
- Going somewhere isolated before trust builds.
- Sharing your exact home address too soon.
- Being pressured into physical contact.
- Ignoring aggressive or controlling behaviour.
- Staying just because leaving feels impolite.
It is always okay to leave
You don't need to justify leaving a date that makes you uncomfortable. You can simply say: “I'm going to head home now.”
- Ask venue staff for help.
- Call a friend.
- Order your own taxi.
- Move into a busier area.
- Contact emergency services if in immediate danger.
In immediate danger, call 999. Can't speak? Press 55 when prompted.
Changing location
If you both decide to continue somewhere else:
- Tell your trusted contact.
- Share the new location if appropriate.
- Use your own transport where possible.
- Avoid isolated places until trust builds.
- Keep your phone charged and accessible.
- Never feel pressured to go to someone’s home.
After the date
Take a moment to reflect: Did I feel comfortable? Did they respect my boundaries and listen? Did their behaviour match their profile? Did they pressure me? Would I feel comfortable meeting again? Is there anything I should report?
You never have to agree to another date. You can politely decline, block the person, or report concerning behaviour.
Report something that concerns you
You can report a member from their profile or your chat with them (tap the menu, then Report). Useful categories include: fake photos, false identity, suspected scam, requests for money, harassment, threats, sexual pressure, hate speech, controlling behaviour, stalking, an underage user, relationship deception, inappropriate content, an offline incident, or an immediate safety concern.
Blocking
When you block someone, they can no longer message you or view your profile, and your conversation is removed from their side. They're not told that you blocked them, and you'll get a confirmation. Blocking doesn't delete anything our team may need for a report.
“This member has been blocked and can no longer contact you through Hull Dating.”
Concerned about a partner’s history?
Clare's Law (the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) lets you ask the police whether a current or former partner may have a history of domestic abuse or violence — the “Right to Ask”. Hull Dating cannot perform this check; the police decide whether to disclose information. Contact your local police force for guidance.
Learn about Clare’s Law (GOV.UK)
Official government factsheet on the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.
Protecting children
Sarah's Law (the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme) lets a parent, guardian or carer ask the police whether someone with access to a child may pose a known sexual risk. It's not a general background check; Hull Dating cannot perform it, and the police assess each application.
Learn about Sarah’s Law (GOV.UK)
Find out if a person has a record for child sexual offences.
About verification
Hull Dating offers checks such as email verified, mobile verified and selfie verified (with more coming). These help confirm certain account details.