Dating Safety

Before you share more

Look at what a new contact could learn from your messages and pictures. A work badge, parcel label or view from your window can reveal more than you intend. Share a general area rather than your home address or daily routine.

Keep passwords, sign-in codes and identity documents out of dating conversations. Open account services through an address you already trust rather than a link sent by a new contact. A photograph or video call is only one piece of information, not proof that someone is trustworthy.

Pause when romance becomes a money request

Take a step back if a contact introduces an urgent travel bill, family emergency or investment opportunity. Repeated excuses for not meeting, pressure to act quickly and requests to keep the situation secret deserve attention.

Do not send money, gift cards or financial details to a dating contact, receive or forward funds for them, or fund an investment they recommend. Keep your financial decisions separate from the relationship.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre describes these romance and investment fraud patterns. The Competition Bureau also explains warning signs involving money requests and false identities.

Before you leave for a date

• Confirm an exact public meeting point and a finish time you are comfortable with. Check opening hours and your journey home.
• Choose somewhere you can leave independently. If the plan changes to a home, hotel room or car, you can decline and keep the original public plan.
• Tell a trusted person the plan and agree on a check-in time. Share enough detail for them to know who you are meeting.
• Charge your phone and have your own way home. In Winnipeg, check the weather and transport options before setting out.

Keep control of the evening

Keep your phone and belongings with you, and keep track of your drink. If you feel uncomfortable, move toward staff or other people. You can leave before the agreed finish time without staying to explain.

Be clear when you want something to stop: “I’m not comfortable with that” or “I’m going home now.” A meal, gift or earlier agreement does not obligate you to physical contact. Check that the other person wants to continue, too, and stop if they hesitate or decline.

If something goes wrong

Get somewhere safe first. In immediate danger, contact local emergency services or ask someone nearby to help.

When safe, save relevant messages, the profile address and any transaction records before blocking or reporting the contact. Do not continue a conversation just to collect more evidence. If money or banking details are involved, contact your financial institution promptly using its official contact details.

Use the reporting tools on the service where the interaction happened. For other help routes, visit Contact & Help.