{"id":23217,"date":"2020-01-02T12:41:59","date_gmt":"2020-01-02T20:41:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/?p=23217"},"modified":"2022-04-13T12:25:09","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T20:25:09","slug":"6-internet-safety-tips-for-meeting-an-online-connection-in-real-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spokeo.com\/compass\/6-internet-safety-tips-for-meeting-an-online-connection-in-real-life\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Things to Do Before Meeting an Online Connection in Real Life"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you\u2019re using a dating app like Tinder or eHarmony to make a new romantic connection or getting to know a business contact from LinkedIn, meeting an internet friend in real life (IRL) comes with certain risks and dangers. Most likely, the only risk you\u2019ll face is the threat of having an extremely awkward interaction. Nevertheless, it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry when meeting a stranger \u2014 even if it\u2019s just for your own peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can stay secure when meeting somebody IRL with the following internet safety tips for first-time meetups and dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Find a Public Space to Meet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re nervous to meet your new romantic interest or business contact, keep in mind that the person you\u2019re meeting is probably nervous too. By selecting a public location like a coffee shop, both you and your connection will feel safer. Starbucks is excellent, but if it\u2019s someone you want to impress, choose an upscale cafe or boutique restaurant or bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why coffee is great for a first meetup:<\/strong> Not only is a public coffee shop safer than meeting at someone\u2019s home, your meetup partner is more likely to say yes to a low-level commitment like coffee \u2014 which could be as short as a 30-minute interaction. If you hit it off, you can always extend the meetup to dinner \u2014 and who knows what else!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Tell a Friend About Your Plans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before meeting your future partner in crime or co-founder, tell at least one person what you\u2019re up to \u2014 and give them the exact date, time and location of your meetup. Send your friend screenshots of the person\u2019s online profile and any other info you have on them. Finally, tell your friend that you\u2019ll send a check-in text so they know that everything is alright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan a bailout strategy with your friend: <\/strong>If you want to be extra safe, ask your friend to hang out at a nearby restaurant or cafe and wait for your signal. If you need to bail on the meetup, you can signal your friend with a text to \u201crandomly\u201d stop by and crash your date. Having a friend come to the rescue like this could alleviate the pressure of an awkward situation. Another strategy is to have your friend give you a call about 20 minutes into the meetup. If you want to bail, you can say that something came up as a result of the phone call and you need to jet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Research Your Connection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Digital people-search tools like Spokeo<\/a> can reveal a lot more about the person you are planning to meet than a Google search query, as the platform combines data from online and offline sources. A quick search could even reveal criminal background information<\/a> if the person has a court record (additional fees may apply). One of the biggest benefits of social media is that sites like Facebook and Instagram provide additional ways to see if the person is being honest with you, so don\u2019t be shy about connecting with a new acquaintance interest on social media. If your meetup partner\u2019s social media accounts look suspicious, Spokeo can also be used to help verify who those profiles belong to (and has been used to stop many a catfish<\/a> in their tracks).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if you discover something shady on Spokeo? <\/strong>Never let shyness or politeness keep you from\u00a0 bailing on a meeting or date \u2014 even if it\u2019s simply because you don\u2019t like the creepy cat photos all over their Instagram. You\u2019re the one in charge and it\u2019s your safety at risk. You can cancel whenever you want!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Your Match a Scammer? Four Online Dating Scams to Watch Out For<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Follow Your Instincts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes your future date or networking connection will say all the right things and the details couldn\u2019t be more perfect, but you still have some reservations \u2014 like a gut feeling that says something doesn\u2019t measure up. Listen to these instincts and never question them. Cancel the date if it doesn\u2019t feel right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The block button is your friend! <\/strong>If you don\u2019t have a good feeling about someone but they\u2019re still pressuring you, it\u2019s important to remember that you don\u2019t owe this person anything \u2014 not even a response. That\u2019s what the block button is for! While it\u2019s polite to cancel instead of ghosting if someone isn\u2019t being kind or respectful, just block them; they\u2019ll get the message and you shouldn\u2019t have to deal with them again (ever).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Be Careful With Alcohol (or Skip it All Together)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol can ease those first-date or networking event butterflies, but it\u2019s dangerous to drink too much with a stranger (or to arrive to your meeting after having a drink or two). Even a single beer can make you more vulnerable to being manipulated or becoming a victim of assault. To stay safe during a first-time meetup, avoid consuming alcohol \u2014 or limit yourself to just one drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep your eyes on your drinks and your food: <\/strong>Someone could slip something into your food or drink when left unattended, so don\u2019t leave your drinks or food unattended. And make sure that you know who handled your drink before you received it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Use these apps for safer dating and meetups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a final suggestion, don\u2019t forget to take advantage of the many smartphone apps that can help you stay safe on your dates and first-time meetups. Here are a few of our favorites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n