--- title: Top tips on staying safe when dating online description: OneID's customer in the dating industry talks about how to be safe when dating online and choosing a dating app that complies with the online safety act. image: https://oneid.uk/hubfs/Catch%20the%20Red%20Flags%20-3.png --- [Age Verification](https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/tag/age-verification) | [Online Safety](https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/tag/online-safety) # Catch the Red Flags: How to Protect Yourself from Dating Scams ##### [OneID® Team](https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/author/the-oneid-team) Share: As part of the [Catch the Red Flags](https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/online-dating-catch-the-red-flags) campaign, this article has been contributed by [Sizzl](https://sizzl.dating/), one of the UK's safest dating platforms, aiming to keep daters safe from dating scams. With a firm commitment to creating a safe space for its users by integrating [OneID®](https://oneid.uk/), Sizzl is redefining the basics for dating platforms.  ## [**![The cost of romance scams highlights the need for stronger dating apps to implement stronger verification like OneID](https://oneid.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Catch%20the%20Red%20Flag%20-%20Blog%20Banners%20Thin.png?width=1000&height=250&name=Catch%20the%20Red%20Flag%20-%20Blog%20Banners%20Thin.png)**](https://www.actionfraud.org.uk/romance-scam/) Online dating has become one of the most popular ways to connect, but do you truly know who's behind the screen? According to Action Fraud, [romance scam victims lose an average of £10,000](https://www.actionfraud.org.uk/romance-scam/). But the financial loss is just one part of the damage. The emotional toll, including trauma and victim shaming, can be devastating. Sizzl understands how vulnerable people can be when searching for genuine connections online. That’s why its mission is to create the **safest dating app in the UK**. In fact, Sizzl implemented [safety tech to comply with the Online Safety Act (OSA)](https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/how-sizzl-balanced-user-safety-and-user-experience-with-oneid)  industry-leading safety technology long before the** **[Online Safety Act’s deadlines](https://oneid.uk/online-safety-act) to ensure the highest level of user protection. Here are essential tips from Sizzl to keep your heart, your wallet, and—most importantly—yourself safe. --- ## 1. Choose dating apps that prioritise safety The first step in protecting yourself is to pick platforms that take user safety seriously: choosing apps with robust verification systems significantly reduces the risk of encountering fraudsters. Apps like **SIZZL** stand out in this regard. By using OneID®, SIZZL ensures every user is who they claim to be. This [mandatory verification](https://oneid.uk/oneid-age-verification) process eliminates fake profiles, bots, and scammers, providing a secure space to connect with real people. ## 2. Be wary of requests for money or favour A common hallmark of romance scams is the gradual grooming of victims to convince them to send money. Scammers often fabricate elaborate stories, asking for funds to cover emergencies like medical expenses, legal troubles, or family crises. They may also request gift cards, expensive items, or even ask you to open a bank account or transfer funds on their behalf. **Never send money or financial information to someone you haven’t met in person**—no matter how compelling or urgent their story seems. ## 3. Verify their identity carefully Scammers are expert manipulators who use technology, including deepfake videos and AI-generated images, to build trust. Just recently, a stunning case made headlines: a French woman scammed out of $850k by a fraudster pretending to be none other than famed actor Brad Pitt! This case is particularly egregious but by no means an isolated one. A video call or photo might not be enough to confirm someone’s identity anymore. If you’re unsure, ask specific questions about their life that would be difficult to fabricate—and avoid oversharing personal information yourself. ## 4. Be aware of red Flags Be mindful of behaviours that don’t add up. For example: - Refusing to meet in person or delaying plans to meet - Communicating inconsistently or using overly romantic language early in the relationship - Avoiding questions about their personal life or providing vague answers ## 5. Always meet in a public place Romance scams can hurt more than your heart and wallet—they can turn dangerous very quickly when you're essentially meeting a stranger. If you decide to meet someone from a dating app, ensure your first few meetings happen in a **public place**. Tell a trusted friend or family member about your plans and consider sharing your location with them for added safety. By staying vigilant and choosing platforms that prioritise safety, you can enjoy online dating with confidence. Online dating is better with online safety.  [Download Sizzl on iOS](https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/sizzl-casual-dating/id6444213903) [Download Sizzl on Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dating.sizzl&pli=1) Share: ## Recent posts ![](https://oneid.uk/hubfs/oneid-standard-kyc-match-count-1783579800124.png) #### [Fintech KYC: onboard more without weaker checks](https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/fintech-kyc-onboard-more-without-weaker-checks) Fintech KYC decides the first ninety seconds of onboarding. Someone downloads the app, enters their deta... 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[Read now](https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/uk-government-id-the-digital-id-scheme-and-the-wallet) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "OneID® Team", "url" : "https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/author/the-oneid-team" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-12T13:51:18.777Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-12T12:50:49.000Z", "headline" : "Top tips on staying safe when dating online", "image" : [ "https://oneid.uk/hubfs/Catch%20the%20Red%20Flags%20-3.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://oneid.uk/news-and-events/protect-yourself-from-dating-scams", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://oneid.uk/hubfs/OneID%20logo%20V2%20navy%20(1).svg" }, "name" : "OneID Limited" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "GB", "addressLocality" : "Manchester", "postalCode" : "M2 1DH", "streetAddress" : "Work.Life, Core, Brown Street" }, "alternateName" : "OneID UK", "areaServed" : "GB", "description" : "OneID is a global digital verification services provider. It confirms a person's identity and age in seconds, using multiple methods: bank-verified identity, document authentication, on-device facial age estimation, mobile network age checks, digital wallet credentials and international eIDs. OneID was one of the first identity providers certified under the UK Digital Verification Services Trust Framework (DVSTF), and is the first Orchestration Service Provider and the first Holder/Wallet provider. 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