Meeting new people for intimate connections takes trust, and trust is built step by step. This page sets out how to protect yourself and others on Unicorn Dates, how to spot fake profiles and scams, and how to report anything that worries you. Whether you are a couple or a single, the same basic habits keep you safe.
The five habits that matter most
- Chat on the site first. Get to know someone through messages before sharing phone numbers or social media.
- Have a video call. A short call confirms people are who they say they are.
- Meet in public. Choose a bar, cafe or hotel lounge for a first meeting.
- Tell a friend. Let someone know where you are going, who you are meeting and when you will check in.
- Never send money. No genuine member will ask you for money, gift cards or fees.
Recognising fake profiles
Every dating site has to deal with fake accounts, and we take this seriously. Members sometimes tell us they have come across profiles that did not feel genuine, and we want you to know how to spot them. Common signs include:
- Only one or two glamorous photos, often professional-looking, and no casual pictures.
- Messages that feel scripted, ignore what you wrote or arrive very quickly.
- A refusal to have a video call, combined with pressure to meet or to move to another app.
- Details that change from one message to the next: age, location or job.
- A profile that seems too good to be true, or a story designed to make you feel sorry for them.
If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. Stop replying and report the profile.
Common scams
Scammers often follow familiar scripts. Some ask for money for travel, a hotel or an emergency. Some ask you to pay a "verification fee" or to buy gift cards. Some build a friendly conversation over days or weeks and then ask for help. Others try to move you to another app or website, then ask for card details. All of these are scams. The only payment you should ever make is for your own membership, through the site.
How to report a profile
If you see a profile that looks fake, someone asks you for money, or anyone behaves in a way that makes you uncomfortable, report it from their profile or your conversation with them. Include as much detail as you can. Reports are reviewed, and accounts that break the rules are dealt with. You do not need to be certain before you report. If in doubt, report it and let us check.
If you ever feel in danger, or someone has broken the law, contact your local police first.
Protecting your privacy
- Keep your full name, home address, workplace and children's details private until you trust someone.
- Choose photos that do not show where you live or work. Many members crop or blur faces in public photos.
- Consider a separate email address for dating.
- Be careful about linking social media accounts, which can reveal far more than you intend.
- Think carefully before sending intimate photos. Once sent, they are out of your control.
Safety for singles meeting a couple
As a single person, you are meeting two people you do not know, so a little extra care is wise. Always meet in public first. Arrange your own transport there and back, so you can leave whenever you like. Do not go to a couple's home on a first meeting unless you are completely comfortable. Agree on boundaries before you meet. Keep an eye on your drink. And remember that you can end the evening at any point, for any reason, without explanation.
Safety for couples meeting a single
Couples should be careful too. Have a video call before meeting, keep personal details private at first, and never send money to anyone. Decide in advance how you will check in with each other during a meeting, and what you will do if either of you wants to leave. Think about the single person's safety as well. Offering to meet in public, letting her set the speed and making sure she has her own way home are signs of a considerate couple, and singles notice them.
Consent
Consent must be clear, enthusiastic and ongoing, from everyone, at every stage. Agreeing to meet is not agreeing to anything else. Agreeing to one thing is not agreeing to everything. Anyone can change their mind at any time, and that must be respected immediately. With three people, it is important to check in with everyone, not just the person you are focused on. If you are not sure whether someone is comfortable, ask.
Sexual health
Talk about sexual health before anything intimate happens. Ask when people were last tested, share your own status, and agree on protection. Regular testing is sensible for anyone with more than one partner, and sexual health clinics offer confidential testing in most places. Our country guides include local notes on testing.
After a bad experience
If something went wrong, look after yourself first. Talk to someone you trust and take a break if you need one. Report the profile so we can look into it. If you were hurt or threatened, contact the police. A bad experience is never your fault.
More reading
Our articles on staying safe when meeting, red flags and setting boundaries go into more detail. Singles may also find our guide for singles helpful.
Common questions
Are all profiles checked?
No site can check every profile perfectly, which is why we ask members to report anything suspicious and why we encourage video calls before meeting. Some members verify their identity, and verified profiles are marked.
Will someone know I reported them?
Reports are handled privately.
Can I block someone?
You can stop replying to anyone at any time, and you should report anyone who keeps contacting you after you have stopped.
Looking out for each other
Safety is not only about protecting yourself. It is also about how you treat the people you meet. Couples can help singles feel safe by suggesting public venues, letting her set the speed, making sure she has her own transport and checking in after a date. Singles can help couples by being honest about what they want and by communicating clearly. Everyone can help by reporting profiles that look fake or behave badly, which protects other members as well as you.
If you notice another member behaving in a way that worries you, such as pressuring people, asking for money or ignoring boundaries, report it, even if it did not happen to you. Reports help keep the community a better place for everyone.
Alcohol and first meetings
A drink can help nerves, but too much can blur judgement and make it harder to notice when something is wrong. Keep first meetings moderate. Watch your drink, and do not accept drinks you did not see poured. Agree in advance that nobody will make decisions about intimacy after drinking heavily. If anyone seems unwell or confused, help them get home safely.