Been searching around and couldn't find a clear consensus, so figured I'd ask here directly. Tell a trusted friend your plans and share your live location during any first meeting.
Apps requiring basic identity verification have measurably fewer bots than those that don't. Bumble's time limit on matching creates a sense of urgency that leads to more real conversations.
Things I keep in mind for safety:
- Video calling before a meet is the fastest way to confirm someone is who they claim to be.
- Reverse image search is your best friend for quickly vetting any profile photo.
- Payment requests from any match should always be treated as a scam regardless of the story.