Trace Friends

 

Safety

It's time to put the serious hat on. We want you to enjoy and have fun at Trace Friends, but above all, we want you to do so responsibly and safely. Below are a few guidelines to keep yourself (and your bank account) protected.

Safety tips that work online (and offline)

Read and follow these few common-sense tips to help keep you safe both online and offline.

Guard your identity

Start with giving your first name, but not your last name. Keep personal details like your mobile number, home address, place of work and social network handles private until you know each other better. Just because they give you their's doesn't mean you need to give yours.

Trust your gut

It's simple - listen to your inner voice (aka your gut). If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Stop contact immediately.

Take control

You control how fast or slow you want to go. Do not be pressured into swapping contact details or meeting for the first time. There really isn't any rush.

NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! give money to anyone

Would you ask for a big chunk of money from someone you've never met? Certainly not. Do not be fooled. If anyone asks you for money, something's very wrong. If it happens, report them immediately.

Block and/or report people

If anyone is threatening or behaving inappropriately towards you, block and/or report them immediately. To help keep Trace Friends fun for everyone, please report any suspicious profiles that seem fake, under-age or contain any illegal or offensive content. All complaints are investigated confidentially by our Support team.

Scammer alert: be COOL, not a FOOL

Scammers are the cockroaches of the online world - they're everywhere and can be very convincing. Here's how to spot a scammer... and when you do, report these cunning criminals immediately:

  • They declare their undying love within a short period of time without really knowing or having met you.
  • They're in trouble and need financial assistance.
  • They're waiting for a huge sum of money, but need a little cash to help them for a short while.
  • They've got a sick family member, cat or dog in need of a life saving operation.
  • They're stranded and cashless in another country and cannot get back to meet you.
  • They tend to vanish for a period of time and give you an elaborate story for their disappearance when they return.
  • They have a get-rich-quick scheme and need that initial cash injection or investment.
  • They have a long sob story - e.g. recently broken up, just back from a dangerous mission and need some cash to recover.

WHATEVER THE STORY, NEVER, EVER, EVER SEND, GIVE OR DONATE MONEY - NO MATTER HOW SINCERE THE PLEA.

Meeting offline do's and don'ts

Be smart and keep your wits about you when taking your online connection offline.

Do's

  • Meet in a public place where there are lots of people.
  • Keep the first meeting sweet and short (e.g. coffee, lunch, etc.) with the option to extend if it goes well.
  • Tell a friend where you're going, who you're meeting and arrange to do a check-in when you're home safe.
  • Arrange your own transport to and from the meeting place.
  • Don't reveal too much personal contact information just yet.
  • Take your mobile phone with you, fully charged.
  • Guard your drinks and personal belongings.

Don'ts

  • Meet someone for the first time without telling anyone.
  • Meet somewhere isolated or at yours or someone else's house.
  • Arrange for them to pick you up or take you home.
  • Forget to charge or leave your mobile phone at home.
  • Leave your drink or personal items unattended.
  • Feel pressured to stay or do something.

It's OK to be cautious. Do not let anyone make you feel vulnerable or uncomfortable.