Been thinking about this a lot lately and figured I'd ask the community directly. Video call before you meet — it's the fastest way to confirm someone is who they say they are.
Regional groups and local events are underrated ways to meet people in this niche. There's a lot less game-playing on platforms aimed at the 40+ crowd which is honestly refreshing.
Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when you're still getting to know someone.
A few things worth keeping in mind:
- Report suspicious behavior to the platform — most have dedicated teams for this now.
- Never share your real last name, address, or workplace before meeting someone in person.
- Tell a trusted friend where you're going and share your live location during a first meet.
- Reverse image search is your best friend for vetting profile photos quickly.