How do I meet someone from a dating app safely for the first time?
Meet in a public place you choose, in daytime, with your own transport, and tell a friend where you are and who you are meeting. Do a video call before the meeting, so you know the face matches the photos, and never bring money, documents or your Aadhaar to a first meeting.
Most first meetings go fine. The risks are a person who is not who they claimed, pressure to go somewhere private, or being asked to pay a large bill or "lend" money on the spot. Keep the first meeting short – a coffee, not a dinner – so it is easy to leave.
Before and during the meeting
- Video call first, even for a minute, to confirm the person matches the photos.
- Choose a busy café or restaurant and go there yourself – do not get picked up.
- Share the person's name, number and profile with a friend, and agree a check-in call.
- Keep your drink with you and do not leave it unattended.
- Do not go to a hotel, a car or a house on the first meeting, and do not hand over any money or documents.
Frequently asked questions
- The person wants me to come to their city and will pay for the ticket. Is that okay?
- Be careful. Ask them to come to you first, or meet halfway in a public place. Someone who sends money for a ticket and then asks for it back is a known scam pattern.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you are talking to? Veritaza checks the photos, messages, mobile number, email ID, name and ID card, for ₹289.
Verify a person