Safety First: Meeting Someone From a Dating App
8 min read · By The BeMyGuy Team
Meeting someone new should be exciting, not nerve-wracking. A few simple habits remove almost all of the avoidable risk while keeping the excitement intact. None of this is about being fearful — it's about being smart so you can relax and enjoy the date. If you're still in the chatting stage, pair this with our guide to online dating in Nigeria.
Before you meet: verify and video-call
Keep conversations in-app until you're comfortable, and prefer matches who are picture-verified. Then do a quick video call before agreeing to meet — it's the single best way to confirm the person matches their photos and gives you a feel for them in real time.
Trust your instincts throughout. If something feels off — evasiveness, pressure, inconsistencies — it's completely okay to slow down or pass. Your gut is data.
Choose the right first meet
Pick a public, busy place during daytime — a café, a mall, a popular restaurant. Arrange your own transport there and back so you're never dependent on someone you've just met. Keep the first meet short; you can always extend a good one.
Tell a trusted friend or family member the where, when and who, and share your live location with them for the duration. A quick 'text me at 7 to check in' plan is simple and effective.
Protect your privacy and your money
Never send money to someone you haven't met — no matter the story, and no matter how compelling. This is the most common thread in romance scams, which rely on emotion and urgency. Keep your home address, workplace and financial details private until trust is genuinely earned.
Be cautious about how much identifying information you share early — full name, employer, daily routine. You can be warm and open without handing over everything in week one.