Safety
Do's & Dont's
Practical dating tips for on and offline
Whether you're off on your first blind date set up by a friend or you found your love interest on txtqpid.com, your personal safety should always be priority No. 1. The following guidelines will help ensure your safety:
Always guard your identity.
Don't share your real name, personal phone numbers, or any other identifying information while IMing or emailing until you are comfortable doing so.
Tip: Never post personal contact information in your profile. Don't risk having this information fall into the wrong hands.
Always remain anonymous until you feel safe and ready to explore other options.
Tip: If a person provides his or her phone number early in their communication, that doesn't obligate you to use it.
Always use a third party, anonymous email address.
While txtqpid.com system conceals true email, IM addresses and mobile numbers, hackers can breach nearly any technology. As an added safety measure, use a seperate mobile number expressly for dating purposes. If you do decide to exchange emails then it may be wise to set up a new account for communication.
Tip: Make sure you turn off signatures or identifying information in your email and consider using a P.O. Box for snail mail.
Always be careful when using a sexy name.
Keep in mind that, while using sexual connotations in your email address or user name might get you noticed, it probably won't attract the sort of person you'd like to share a relationship with; or even a conversation, for that matter.
Tip: Also, do not include your real name or city of residence in your profile or in your user name.
Always use a current picture and be truthful in your description of yourself in your profile.
If you're genuine in finding someone for a long term relationship or your soul mate then be honest and open about your description and any photos you may exchange.
Always trust your gut.
Immediately quit corresponding if you feel unsure or threatened.
Always keep a record of your conversations.
Remember to save your text messsages, emails IMs for future reference. txtqpid.com does not retain copies of your correspondence.
Always block abusers.
We STRONGLY encourage you to block any member who behaves in an abusive manner and to report the behavior to txtqpid. You can block people by using the command BLOCK which is listed under sms commands.
Examples of abuse include:
- Members sending harassing or offensive text messages/photos
- Members behaving inappropriately after meeting in person
- Criminals or other "shady" characters using the service
- Fraudulent registration or profiles
- Spam or solicitation*
- Copyright infringement
- Members asking you for money or donations
- Any other violation of txtqpid's policies
*Our Terms of Use strictly prohibits the use of this service for the purpose of solicitation. Please notify us immediately if another member sends you links to a pay-to-view site or includes instructions about how to call a 090 number. Also report invitations to join other singles sites, emails about modeling opportunities or attempts to sell any merchandise or service.
Meeting Off line: Think safety first!
A first meeting with any new love interest can be exciting, and most first meetings are perfectly safe. But it's always smart to take basic precautions. Always trust your instincts. And be sure to keep the following guidelines in mind:
Always meet in public.
ALWAYS arrange to rendezvous in a populated, public place. NEVER meet in a private home (or in a hotel room) or in a remote location.
Always tell a friend.
Tell at least one friend or family member you are meeting, where you are going and when you expect to return. Let your date know the meeting is not a secret.
Tip: Contact your friend before and after the date or ask your friend to contact you at a predetermined time.
Always stay sober.
Refrain from drinking excessively, as it could impair your ability to make good decisions and may put you at risk.
Tip: Stick to nonalcoholic drinks when meeting someone for the first time.
DON'T leave home without your mobile phone.
Never leave home without your mobile phone. Make sure its fully charged and meet in an area where there is excellent reception in case of an emergency. Dial 999 for emergency services.
DON'T ask the other person to pick you up.
Get yourself to and from the date, even if you have to have a friend drive you or take a taxi.
DON'T leave personal belongings (purses, wallets) or drinks unattended.
Don't risk having your personal information stolen. The same goes for your drink, don't risk having it tampered with.
Tip: If you must leave your drink unattended to go to the toilets, order another when you return.
DON'T succumb to the temptation to take first dates to your home (or to go to his/her home).
Stay in a public place, even if you are pressured. If you feel pressured, end the meeting and leave at once.
Tip: If you are followed to where you parked your car, stop and hail a taxi or go into another public place to use the telephone and phone a friend. Come back later with your friend to get your car.
DO set up a next date: if you are ready and feel comfortable.
And DO remember to follow all of these tips on subsequent meetings, until you feel confident with your new friend. If the other person is sincerely interested in you, he or she will want you to feel safe.
Long distance meetings
With the power of technology, its never been easier to communicate and possibly find your soul mate from a much greater distance compared to the old days where people were restricted to their local villages and towns. Like most things, with a new set of advantages comes the disadvantages. Long-distance first meetings pose special concerns. Always keep safety at the forefront and bear in mind the following tips:
Always stay in a hotel.
If you can't afford to stay in a hotel, don't go. NEVER stay at the other person's home on your first visit.
Always use taxis to get to and from the airport.
If the other person wants to welcome you at the airport then great! It shows interest and it's polite. But DO NOT get into a personal vehicle with someone who you are meeting for the first time.
Tip: Arrange any public meeting location and time, then take a taxi alone, to your hotel.
Always keep your hotel location private.
Until you are completely certain of the person's intentions, don't reveal exactly where you're staying.
Always keep valuables in the hotel or room safe.
Don't take them or wear them on your date.
Tip: For added security, ask the hotel if you may use their safe and place a spare credit card/extra money in case of emergency.
DON'T forget to keep family and friends posted.
Always tell at least two people who you are meeting, where you are going and when you plan to return.
Tip: Let your date know that your whereabouts are not a secret to your friends and family.
DON'T forget to use all our dating tips.
Read each of our safety tips sections.
Red Flags. Suspicious activity
The old saying, "if it's to good to be true" then it probably is. Your safety and well being is the most important thing. That comes first above all else, so remember to ask and do a little investigating in order to satisfy your conscious.
Always listen to your gut.
If the other person can only meet or talk to you at odd hours, he or she may be keeping a secret. If this person cannot be honest with you from the start, you cannot count on him or her to be honest in the future.
Example: If you talk on the phone and a person speaks in hushed tones or "has to go" all of a sudden, the person may not be as single as he or she claims to be.
Always get as much detail as possible about the other person BEFORE meeting off line.
And don't forget to share some of those details with a friends and family.
Always do a little digging.
Because privacy is of the highest importance at txtqpid.com, we do not require our members to submit to background checks. We do, however, encourage members to do their own research on potential love matches, including asking questions, utilizing Internet search engines (try www.ask.com) and most importantly, use common sense. You can also ask your date to submit to a background check, but be careful, a background check is only as good as the information provided to the checker. You can't rely on the accuracy of background check results.
Always be wary of someone who is vague, talks in circles or answers questions with other questions.
Some people are very private, but if you're about to take your relationship to the next level, this isn't the time for reservation.
Always proceed with caution if someone pledges undying love after a first meeting, or even after several conversations.
Lust at first sight is alive and well, but love is, generally, an acquired feeling.
Always guard your financial information and beware of solicitation.
You're on txtqpid for dating, not to give financial advice or charitable contributions. Our Terms of Use strictly prohibits the use of this service for the purpose of solicitation. Please notify us immediately if another member sends you links to a pay-to-view site or includes instructions about how to call a 090 numbers. Also report invitations to join other singles sites, emails about modeling opportunities or attempts to sell any goods or services.
DON'T let love rob you blind.
Beware of someone who mentions how bad their financial situation he or she is in. Also be cautious if he claims he "just got laid off from work," or that her financial adviser "scammed her out of all her money."
