Online dating safety

Keep your personal info private

Don't rush ! Only swap your personal details when you feel ready to. RSVP has been set up to offer members a safe mailing system so that you don't have to swap personal email addresses or phone numbers until you are ready.

If you do decide to share any contact details, we suggest you use Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail or another free email service provider. We suggest you don't share your work email address or your surname, as it makes it easy for someone to find out more about you via Facebook or possibly through your place of work.

Meet when YOU are ready

Remember, you're never obligated to meet anyone so don't feel pressured, regardless of how much communication you've had online.

Ask questions via email and take all the time you need to become comfortable with someone before giving them your contact info.

Talk on the phone

There's no need to jump straight from online to a face-to-face meeting. It's a good idea to also have a chat on the phone before you meet. We suggest you stick to calling mobiles rather than swapping home or work numbers first.

Choose a safe place

Choose somewhere casual and relaxed, preferably somewhere that's easy to get to and where you feel comfortable.

It's a good idea to drive on your first date and have your own transport. Don't agree to be picked up (even if it sounds like good manners to accept or offer).

Tell a friend where you'll be

On your first date, let a friend know where you are going and give them your date's number and name.

You may want to ask someone to call you at a pre-determined time. You can use the call as an excuse to end the date if it's not going well.

Don't accept lifts

Don't go home with your date or invite them back to your place or accept a lift. Don't get worried about thinking that this is old fashioned - it's just good common sense.

Trust your instincts

There may be a good reason if you feel uneasy about someone. Don't tell yourself you're being anxious and definitely don't have a drink to try and relax.

On a first date, it's often a good idea to have an excuse of having to be somewhere else after your date. This gives you the option to politely excuse yourself and leave the date if anything starts to make you feel uncomfortable. Feeling safe is much more important than someone's opinion of you.

Don't get financially involved

Play it safe when it comes to money. Never send money or offer financial assistance to someone that you're just getting to know. If someone mentions financial difficulties or needing financial assistance, please contact us so we can investigate this further.

How to identify a scam

There are several behaviours and clues that may suggest you've become accidentally involved in a scam. These may include:

• Declarations of love. If someone you are in contact with starts declaring their love for you within a matter of weeks (or even days), be extremely cautious. The emails may be long and romantic, so be careful and cautious. If you are unsure, suggest a phone call to help you make a decision about this person's intentions or legitimacy.
• Requests for money. Beware of any mention of financial difficulty and the need or request for financial assistance. This can come in the form of requests for money to pay for a visa, an airfare or to help a sick relative.
• RSVP does not have links to photos on other site. Emails that ask you to follow links to other sites are likely to be part of a scam activity and should not be clicked.
• Someone offers money to you. These are always scams. Always. Check Scamwatch for more details and examples if you are unsure. This includes emails requesting your account details so transfers can be made, and emails announcing that you've won the lottery.
• Identify the age of the member. Are they young and good looking or out of your specified age requirements? This could be suspect.
• Contacts from overseas. Be cautious also if you are in contact with a member who claims to live overseas and mentions friends who have met on RSVP and have moved to Australia and they would like to do the same.
• A female profile which references Russian men being alcoholics and not knowing how to treat women.

How to avoid being scammed

• Never send money. Ever.
• Long distance relationships are part of online dating success, and this can happen. However, if you do come into contact with someone who is living in another city or town and can't afford a plane ticket to visit, consider your options carefully. We advise that you never send money to anyone you have met online. If you have been in touch on email and phone, and you would really like to meet, we suggest you meet somewhere neutral or else if you are prepared to take a chance and meet someone in another state or city, visit them and pay your own way. Never send money to anyone that wants to visit you.

If you come across members that you feel may be on RSVP with the intention to scam others, please contact us so we can investigate.