July 12, 2025, 2:37 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The person on the other end of the chat seems friendly and trustworthy. However, the sad reality is that many fake profiles circulate in the world of online dating. This makes it all the more important to be prepared for the first in-person meeting—in case the date partner, previously known only virtually, has criminal intentions. TECHBOOK has compiled the most important behavioral recommendations for you.
Dating apps like Tinder and others have become a playground for fake profiles. Their intentions can vary greatly–from data collection to romance scams to financial fraud. Additionally, some criminals pursue even darker goals. According to an analysis by the security firm Kaspersky, one in five people has already been affected by digital stalking. A seemingly harmless, consensual meeting can end dangerously in the worst case–for example, if the date turns out to be a potential perpetrator. It is all the more important to be well-prepared for the first meeting with someone you only know from online dating.
Overview
Online Dating: What to Consider for the First Meeting
Preparing for a real first date with someone from online dating ideally begins when creating your own profile. Personal information such as address, birth date, or employer should not be included in the app. The police also advise against this. Furthermore, suggestive photos should neither be in the profile nor sent in private messages.
Additionally, it is advisable to take the following safety measures to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises on a first date with someone you don’t know well.
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1. Inform Friends or Family
Online dating is now commonplace. Why do we emphasize this? Because there’s no reason to keep a first meeting with someone you met virtually a secret–out of false shame, for example. On the contrary: Get friends or family involved! Inform trusted people about when, where, and with whom you are meeting. Send screenshots of the profile or a picture of the person. If it turns out to be a fake account, this information can be helpful in an emergency and used to track the person.
2. Share Your Location
Speaking of tracking: Activate location sharing on your smartphone. With apps like WhatsApp or iMessage, you can share your location in real-time. You can, of course, deactivate this setting when needed. At this point, it’s important to mention that your mobile phone should be fully charged for the first date with someone unknown from online dating.
In addition to location sharing, there are now various apps specifically designed for emergencies. Using them as an additional safety measure can’t hurt. However, it’s important not to rely solely on these services. Except for Nora, the official emergency call app of the federal states, most available applications are prone to malfunctions or are generally unreliable. Learn more about it here.
3. Agree on Code Words
Agree on a harmless-sounding code word for “everything’s okay”–and another to signal a tense or threatening situation. Your trusted person can call you during the meeting. Also discuss in advance: Letting it ring silently means “I need help.”
Also of interest: Police warn of fake QR codes at parking meters
4. Choose a Public, Easily Accessible Meeting Place
A first date should start casually, without commitment, and risk-free. Choose a public place, such as a café or a well-visited park (during the day!). You want to be able to withdraw at any time–without pressure. “Never meet in an apartment or at a place unfamiliar to you.” The police explicitly warn against this and also advise arriving independently, ideally with your own car. This way, you remain independent and can decide when to leave at any time.
An additional trick: Arrive at the meeting point with a friend, who then briefly says goodbye. This creates security and can be a deterrent if your counterpart has dishonest intentions.
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5. Watch Your Drink
The risk that someone might mix so-called knockout drops or similar substances into your drink unfortunately exists in public places–including during a first meeting with someone unknown from online dating. Therefore, it’s important to never take your eyes off your drink. And specifically: Whether you want to consume alcohol is, of course, your free choice. In this context, however, it is advisable to remain as controlled as possible, so it’s better not to drink too much to be able to react quickly in case of risks.