Meeting people at bars is so passé. Today, people use dating apps and sites like Tinder to meet and hook up with others. Swipe Left or Swipe Right on people, that’s how simple Tinder is to use. However, is Tinder safe? And what can you do to protect yourself? We discuss this below.
With 43 billion matches to date, Tinder® is the world’s most popular dating app, making it the place to meet new people. While you can’t control the actions of others, there are things you can do to help you stay safe during your Tinder experience. Tinder ‘Safe Date Code’ I got duped by a bot on Tinder and was sent a text saying I had an invitation to Tinder, and which had a link something like ‘CodeTinder-Safe’. I accidentally clicked on the link and it opened in Safari (on my IPhone).
Just like any other app or website, there’s some element of danger associated with using Tinder. YYou’re leaving your information out there for complete strangers to see, and meeting new people you don’t know anything about. So no, Tinder is not completely safe to use.
Here are some true crimes relating to Tinder:
Stacy Feldman, 44, lived in Denver, Colorado. On March 1, 2015, she was found dead in her shower by her husband Robert. He claimed it was an accident, and that the night before while partying, she had consumed edible marijuana. The morning after, he said she wasn’t feeling well. Officials were not convinced Robert’s story was true, and the autopsy did not conclude a specific cause of death.
A few months later, a woman came forward. She claimed that she had met Robert Feldman on Tinder, nd that they had sex less than a week before his wife’s death. The woman said Robert told her he was divorced, and that his last name was Wolfe. She eventually emailed Stacy Feldman asking if she and Robert were still married, which happened to be on March 1st. It was concluded that Stacy found out her husband was cheating on her at 8:52am that day.
So, on the day she was murdered, Stacy found out Robert was cheating on her, and she confronted him. Also, it was discovered that Robert was trying to get a $750,000 life insurance policy. With this evidence, Robert Feldman was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Stacy Feldman.
Sydney Loofe was a 24-year-old girl looking for love on Tinder, as many her age do. On November 25th, 2017, she went on a second date with someone she met on the dating app, 23-year-old Bailey Boswell. After their Tinder date, Loofe went missing for 19 days. Boswell claimed Loofe was healthy and well when she last saw her.
Loofe’s dismembered body was found on December 4th, 2017, 90 miles from Lincoln, Nebraska. Bailey Boswell and her accomplice, Aubrey Trail, were charged and sentenced for the murder of Sydney Loofe.
Even though these crimes are related to using Tinder, this doesn’t mean they will happen to you. The degree of danger you may or may not be in varies on a person-by-person basis, along with the precautions you take.
As you can see from the true stories above, you MUST take the necessary safety precautions before and while on a Tinder date. Below, are some Tinder safety tips you should follow.
Especially with someone you just met, do not disclose too much personal information about yourself. You don’t truly know who they are, and if they could be a scammer or criminal.
Personal information to avoid giving away on Tinder:
NEVER give anyone you don’t know money. No matter what convincing excuse they give you, don’t give into it.
If a user you’ve matched with or swiped right on is suspicious in any way, you can block and report them anonymously. Suspicious activity may include solicitation, offensive messages, and inappropriate in-person behavior.
Even if the person you’ve matched with on Tinder seems safe, it doesn’t mean they actually are. The best way to make sure your date doesn’t have a shady past is by searching their name online. See if they are who they claim to be, and whether or not they have a criminal past. You can use an easy and affordable service like Kiwi Searches to do this!
Always have your Tinder dates in public. It’s safer to have people around you in case your date ends up being shady or aggressive. This is important to do, until you really get to know who they are.
Inform a friend or family member about your Tinder date beforehand. So, in the event something happens, someone knows of your whereabouts and what the name of your date was.
Tinder does have a number of safety features for users to utilize. Photo verification provides users who are not catfishers, with a blue checkmark badge on their profile. Noonlight gives users a way to contact emergency services in the event a date moves sideways, and to let loved ones know when they are going on a date. The Does This Bother You? feature allows users to report messages that are offensive or inappropriate in any way.
So, is Tinder safe? Well, there’s always a risk of danger with any dating app or site you use. As long as you take the necessary Tinder safety precautions, you should be fine.
You Also Might Like: What Is Ghosting And What To Do If You’ve Been Ghosted
Meeting new people is exciting, but you should always be cautious when interacting with someone you don’t know. Use your best judgment and put your safety first, whether you are exchanging initial messages or meeting in person. While you can’t control the actions of others, there are things you can do to help you stay safe during your Tinder experience.
Never Send Money or Share Financial Information
Never send money, especially over wire transfer, even if the person claims to be in an emergency. Wiring money is like sending cash — it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace where the money went. Never share information that could be used to access your financial accounts. If another user asks you for money, report it to us immediately.
For tips on avoiding romance scams, check out some advice from the U.S Federal Trade Commission on the FTC website.
Protect Your Personal Information
Never share personal information, such as your social security number, home or work address, or details about your daily routine (e.g., that you go to a certain gym every Monday) with people you don’t know. If you are a parent, limit the information that you share about your children on your profile and in early communications. Avoid sharing details such as your children’s names, where they go to school, or their ages or genders.
Stay on the Platform
Keep conversations on the Tinder platform while you’re getting to know someone. Because exchanges on Tinder are subject to our Safe Message Filters (learn more here), users with bad intentions often try to move the conversation to text, messaging apps, email, or phone right away.
Be Wary of Long Distance and Overseas Relationships
Watch out for scammers who claim to be from your country but stuck somewhere else, especially if they ask for financial help to return home. Be wary of anyone who will not meet in person or talk on a phone/video call—they may not be who they say they are. If someone is avoiding your questions or pushing for a serious relationship without meeting or getting to know you first — that’s a red flag.
Report All Suspicious and Offensive Behavior
You know when someone’s crossed the line and when they do, we want to know about it. Block and report anyone that violates our terms. Here are some examples of violations:
You can report any concerns about suspicious behavior from any profile page or messaging window here. For more information, check out our Community Guidelines.
Protect Your Account
Be sure to pick a strong password, and always be careful when logging into your account from a public or shared computer. Tinder will never send you an email asking for your username and password information — if you receive an email asking for account information, report it immediately.
Don’t Be In A Rush
Take your time and get to know the other person before agreeing to meet or chat off Tinder. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to screen for any red flags or personal dealbreakers. A phone or video call can be a useful screening tool before meeting.
Meet in Public and Stay in Public
Meet for the first few times in a populated, public place — never at your home, your date’s home, or any other private location. If your date pressures you to go to a private location, end the date.
Tell Friends and Family About Your Plans
Tell a friend or family member of your plans, including when and where you’re going. Have your cell phone charged and with you at all times.
Be in Control of Your Transportation
We want you to be in control of how you get to and from your date so that you can leave whenever you want. If you’re driving yourself, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan such as a ride-share app or a friend to pick you up.
Know Your Limits
Be aware of the effects of drugs or alcohol on you specifically — they can impair your judgment and your alertness. If your date tries to pressure you to use drugs or drink more than you’re comfortable with, hold your ground and end the date.
Don’t Leave Drinks or Personal Items Unattended
Know where your drink comes from and know where it is at all times — only accept drinks poured or served directly from the bartender or server. Many substances that are slipped into drinks to facilitate sexual assault are odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Also, keep your phone, purse, wallet, and anything containing personal information on you at all times.
If You Feel Uncomfortable, Leave
It’s okay to end the date early if you’re feeling uncomfortable. In fact, it’s encouraged. And if your instincts are telling you something is off or you feel unsafe, ask the bartender or server for help.
LGBTQ+ Travel
Be careful while traveling
We recognize and believe in the importance of being inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations, but the reality is this: nowhere in the world is without potential risk, and some countries have specific laws that target LGBTQ+ people.
Check out the laws around you when you travel to a new place and research what types of legal protection, if any, are available to you based on sexual orientation. In the event that you’re in unsafe territory, we suggest toggling off “Show me on Tinder” which you can find under the settings page.
If you have added a sexual orientation to your profile and choose to be shown on Tinder, we will hide your sexual orientation from your profile until you leave that area.
It’s important to exercise extra caution if you choose to connect with new people in these countries - as some law enforcement have been known to use dating apps as tools for potential entrapment. Some countries have also recently introduced laws that criminalize communications between individuals on same-sex dating applications or websites and even aggravate penalties if that communication leads to sexual encounters.
Visit ILGA World to see the latest sexual orientation laws by country, and consider donating to support their research.
Source: ILGA World, Updated March 2019
Protect Yourself
When used correctly and consistently, condoms can significantly reduce the risk of contracting and passing on STI’s like HIV. But, be aware of STIs like herpes or HPV that can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact. The risk of contracting some STIs can be reduced through vaccination.
Know Your Status
Not all STIs show symptoms, and you don’t want to be in the dark about your status. Stay on top of your health and prevent the spread of STIs by getting tested regularly. Here’s where you can find a clinic near you (US only).
Talk About It
Communication is everything: Before you get physically intimate with a partner, talk about sexual health and STI testing. And be aware — in some places, it’s actually a crime to knowingly pass on an STI. Need help starting the conversation? Here are some tips.
Consent
All sexual activity must start with consent and should include ongoing check-ins with your partner. Verbal communication can help you and your partner ensure that you respect each other’s boundaries. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and sex is never owed to anyone. Do not proceed if your partner seems uncomfortable or unsure, or if your partner is unable to consent due to the effects of drugs or alcohol. Read more about it here.
Remember — even if you follow these tips, no method of risk reduction is perfect. If you have a negative experience, please know that it is not your fault and help is available. Report any incidents Tinder, and consider reaching out to one of the resources below. If you feel you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 911 (U.S. or Canada) or your local law enforcement agency.
RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) online.rainn.org www.rainn.org
Planned Parenthood
1-800-230-7526 www.plannedparenthood.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 www.thehotline.org
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 www.humantraffickinghotline.org
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
1-877-739-3895 www.nsvrc.org
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) www.cybertipline.com
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
1-844-878-2274 www.cybercivilrights.org
VictimConnect - Crime Victim Resource Center
1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) www.victimconnect.org
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
www.ic3.gov
LGBT National Help Center
1-888-843-4564 www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (CA) www.translifeline.org
If you are outside the US: