Protecting your identity

Prevention

Someone may try to blackmail you, for example, by telling you to give him money, or else he will send your (nude) photos to your family or your workplace. If this happens, it is best to go to the police (Dutch). There you can ask for help anonymously. The police may not ask what your real name is or where exactly you live. Also, the police can give you advice on how best to handle this.

Of course, it is better to avoid this kind of situation. Therefore, we have some additional tips for people who are a little more vulnerable to blackmail or extortion.

• Video call each other ahead of time.
• Google the person you are contacting. Try to verify that the name and photos are correct.
• With a video doorbell, you can check who is at the door. If you don't trust it, don't open the door.
• Keep someone informed about your date and where you are meeting. That doesn't mean you have to say exactly who or what you're going to be with, but share your location.
• Never wire money, no matter how much someone insists or offers you something.

Tips for your profile

Use a unique photo

For your dating profile, avoid using the same photos you have on your social media accounts. It's easy for someone to do a "reverse image search" on Google - and if you use the same photos on your dating profile as you do on Facebook and Instagram, you can be found on social media. From there, potential scammers can begin to gather information about you. Also, don't use photos that allow someone to find out where you live or work.

Protect your personal information

In addition to using unique photos on your profile, you can make sure you keep personal details to a minimum. For example, information such as your last name, contact information, date of birth, where you work, where you went to school, your social media profiles, and so on.

Avoid interacting with suspicious profiles

If the person you are talking to has posted little information about themselves and only one photo, they may be a fake account. Be careful with someone you have so little information about. Trust your instinct to know if you feel someone is genuine or not.

Trust your instincts

Always listen to your instincts and feel free to leave a date or stop talking to someone if you feel uncomfortable. Don't worry about being rude, prioritize your safety. If you felt uncomfortable or unsafe during your date, block or report the other person afterwards to prevent them from going to your profile again.

Read more about theft, blackmail and violence here