More than 40 million Americans use online dating services or dating apps. As is the case when meeting someone new, whether online or offline, it’s wise to keep a few safety precautions in mind. Dating apps don’t conduct criminal background checks on users, so it’s up to each user to determine if they are comfortable meeting up with someone. However, it is important to remember that if you do experience sexual assault or violence while dating online or using an app, it is not your fault.

1. My Dating App
2. What Percentage Of Couples Meet On Dating Apps
3. Meeting Someone From Dating App Online
4. Meeting Someone From Dating App Online

Here are 11 ways to get out of the dating-app trap. View Gallery 11 Photos. Olesia Valentain / EyeEm Getty Images. In other words: Delete, delete, delete. “You’ll be less tempted if. Like Match.com, Match’s dating app is free to download, but you’ll need a paid subscription to exchange messages. But when you’re looking for “The One,” paying for online dating is a smart move, as you’ll be checking out profiles of singles who are as serious about meeting someone as you are.

Below are some steps you can take to increase your safety when interacting with others through online dating apps and services—whether you are interacting virtually or in person. Like any safety tips, they are not a guarantee, but they may help you feel more secure.

When Connecting Online

Use different photos for your dating profile. It’s easy to do a reverse image search with Google. If your dating profile has a photo that also shows up on your Instagram or Facebook account, it will be easier for someone to find you on social media.

Avoid connecting with suspicious profiles. If the person you matched with has no bio, linked social media accounts, and has only posted one picture, it may be a fake account. It’s important to use caution if you choose to connect with someone you have so little information about.

Check out your potential date on social media. If you know your match’s name or handles on social media—or better yet if you have mutual friends online—look them up and make sure they aren’t “catfishing” you by using a fake social media account to create their dating profile.

Block and report suspicious users. You can block and report another user if you feel their profile is suspicious or if they have acted inappropriately toward you. This can often be done anonymously before or after you’ve matched. As with any personal interaction, it is always possible for people to misrepresent themselves. Trust your instincts about whether you feel someone is representing themself truthfully or not.

The list below offers a few examples of some common stories or suspicious behaviors scammers may use to build trust and sympathy so they can manipulate another user in an unhealthy way.

• Asks for financial assistance in any way, often because of a sudden personal crisis
• Claims to be from the United States but is currently living, working, or traveling abroad
• Claims to be recently widowed with children
• Disappears suddenly from the site then reappears under a different name
• Gives vague answers to specific questions
• Overly complimentary and romantic too early in your communication
• Pressures you to provide your phone number or talk outside the dating app or site
• Requests your home or work address under the guise of sending flowers or gifts
• Tells inconsistent or grandiose stories
• Uses disjointed language and grammar, but has a high level of education

Examples of user behavior you may want to report can include:

• Requests financial assistance
• Requests photographs
• Is a minor
• Sends harassing or offensive messages
• Attempts to threaten or intimidate you in any way
• Seems to have created a fake profile
• Tries to sell you products or services

Wait to Share Personal Information. Never give someone you haven’t met with in person your personal information, including your: social security number, credit card details, bank information, or work or home address. Dating apps and websites will never send you an email asking for your username and password information, so if you receive a request for your login information, delete it and consider reporting.

Don’t Respond to Requests for Financial Help. No matter how convincing and compelling someone’s reason may seem, never respond to a request to send money, especially overseas or via wire transfer. If you do get such a request, report it to the app or site you’re using immediately. For more information, check out the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's tips on avoiding online dating scams.

When Meeting in Person

Video chat before you meet up in person. Once you have matched with a potential date and chatted, consider scheduling a video chat with them before meeting up in person for the first time. This can be a good way to help ensure your match is who they claim to be in their profile. If they strongly resist a video call, that could be a sign of suspicious activity.

Tell a friend where you’re going. Take a screenshot of your date’s profile and send it to a friend. Let at least one friend know where and when you plan to go on your date. If you continue your date in another place you hadn’t planned on, text a friend to let them know your new location. It may also be helpful to arrange to text or call a friend partway through the date or when you get home to check in.

Meet in a public place. For your first date, avoid meeting someone you don’t know well yet in your home, apartment, or workplace. It may make both you and your date feel more comfortable to meet in a coffee shop, restaurant, or bar with plenty of other people around. Avoid meeting in public parks and other isolated locations for first dates.

Don’t rely on your date for transportation. It's important that you are in control of your own transportation to and from the date so that you can leave whenever you want and do not have to rely on your date in case you start feeling uncomfortable. Even if the person you're meeting volunteers to pick you up, avoid getting into a vehicle with someone you don’t know and trust, especially if it’s the first meeting.

Have a few ride share apps downloaded on your phone so in case one is not working when you need it, you’ll have a backup. Make sure you have data on your phone and it’s fully charged, or consider bringing your charger or a portable battery with you.

Stick to what you’re most comfortable with. There’s nothing wrong with having a few drinks on a date. Try to keep your limits in mind and do not feel pressured to drink just because your date is drinking. It can also be a good idea to avoid taking drugs before or during a first date with someone new because drugs could alter your perception of reality or have unexpected interactions with alcohol.

Enlist the help of a bartender or waiter. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, it can help to find an advocate nearby. You can enlist the help of a waiter or bartender to help you create a distraction, call the police, or get a safe ride home.

Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and feel free to leave a date or cut off communication with whoever is making you feel unsafe. Do not worry about feeling rude—your safety is most important, and your date should understand that.

If you felt uncomfortable or unsafe during the date, remember you can always unmatch, block, or report your match after meeting up in person which will keep them from being able to access your profile in the future.

Sexual assault and harassment are never acceptable and are never the victim’s fault no matter what you were wearing, drinking, or whom you were with. The National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) is here to listen and provide resources, and is anonymous, free, and available 24/7.

I think it's time we all admit that dating apps are amazing. Sure, maybe when you first heard of them you were skeptical or thought they were just for hookups (I know I did). In reality, they're amazing. In fact, I met my fiancé on a dating app — so don't tell me they don't work. But, if you're giving it a go, and need some help making the first move, then these clever ways to ask someone out on a dating app are sure to help you out.

It's not easy meeting someone online who you genuinely could see yourself with long-term. If you're looking for a serious relationship, a lot of people will tell you that using a dating app is the wrong way to go. But that isn't true. You can meet the love of your life on Tinder, and you can totally be happy. You just have to be willing to go for it.

One of the best things parts about being on a dating app is that there's somewhat less of a fear of a rejection, since you're not asking someone out face-to-face — so take advantage of that! Get your fingers typing and ask that cutie out! There's no regret in taking a risk.

If you've slowly been chatting up a cutie on a dating app, then it can feel intimidating to make that first move and actually meet IRL. But, if you find yourself up at night unable to think about anything else, then you should just go for it!

Message them your phone number and say something like, 'hey, if you wanna grab drinks or something, text me!' It's simple, to the point, and then you can relax some because the ball is in their court.

Another great and creative way to ask someone out via a dating app is to look closely at their profile. Have they mentioned a favorite food or drink? Maybe they have a photo of them dressed as a certain character for Halloween. Pick something about them from their profile and ask them to do something pertaining to it.

Go eat their favorite food, or drink their most cherished drink. Stay in and binge-watch their favorite show, or go see their favorite actor in a new movie. There are a ton of ways you can make it personal, and by sticking to what's on their profile, you're showing that you pay attention and are interested.

A more low-stakes way of asking someone out is to mention that you're planning on going to a cool bar or something with a group of friends, and they could meet up with you there. That way, you'll have fun no matter what, and they'll feel less pressure about it being a straight-up date.

Hopefully, they'll show up and you can hang out. Then it could turn into something more, but it's a great way to get things started.

The way to my heart is through my dog. I would not be engaged right now if my fiancé didn't get along with my dog, and vice versa. So if you're looking for something serious, and that cutie mentions a dog in their profile, ask if they want to go to the local dog park together. They'll love how much fun it is, and they'll appreciate that you care about their pet.

Any pet can work. Just ask to meet their buddy and go from there. Chances are, they'll think it's sweet, and you'll get to hang out with a cute animal.

If you and the hottie from Tinder have a lot of the same music taste based on your bios, then it might be a good idea to invite them to a concert. Even a small, hole-in-the-wall event could be super fun for you both, and end up being a memorable date that you'll never forget.

If nothing else, though, it'll help you stand out — and listen to some great music in the time being.

If you live in a big city, whether or not it's new to you, there are probably about a hundred things going on at any given time. Invite your dating app boo to try something new with you!

Ask them if they've ever done stand-up paddle board yoga, and when they inevitably say no, invite them to try it with you. Look up local events happening in your city and pick the weirdest one to do with them. Make things fun and interesting, and it'll be almost impossible for them to say no.

I'm a huge fan of Groupon, and so is Tiffany Haddish, so really, everyone should just get on board at this point. Really, look for a cool Groupon going on in your city, and buy it! It'll be cheap and then you can ask that special someone to go do it with you!

My Dating App

Tell them you have a Groupon for a walking midnight ghost tour of an old neighborhood, and they're sure to say yes. I know I would.

Most young, career people will have to attend a networking event at some point in their lives. Sometimes they're fun and helpful — other times they're boring and awful. So, if you have one coming up that you don't really want to go to, invite the Tinder guy or gal you've been chatting with!

What Percentage Of Couples Meet On Dating Apps

Have them meet you there an hour or so after you get there so you can settle in and make connections if you have to. Then, once they show up you can take advantage of the free drinks, and hopefully take this date somewhere else.

If you're an excellent cook, and your dating app crush has admitted that they know nothing about preparing food, then invite them over for a cooking lesson. It's fun, its free, and it's super cute.

On the other hand, they might know how to play golf or a certain video game you've been wanting to try, so don't be afraid to ask them to teach you.

Finally, there's nothing wrong with simply asking someone if they want to grab dinner. Dating apps are for... dating, so don't be afraid! The worst that can happen is they say no, and then you can move on. Make the first move and make it happen, girl, because the world is your oyster, and you've gotta find your lobster.

Meeting Someone From Dating App Online

Remember — dating is meant to be fun! Best case scenario, you meet the love of your life. Worst case, you make a new friend. So get creative, and put yourself out there!

Meeting Someone From Dating App Online

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