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Tips on how to avoid romance scams

Safety Tips Dating Online

Tips on how to avoid romance scams. From the US Federal Trade Commission Information  

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-you-need-know-about-romance-scams

General tips help to stay safe.

When you are meeting people from an online dating site in your hometown, city or country, or another country, please pay attention to below:  

  • Never give out personal financial information or send money, even if the person claims to be in an emergency.
  • Avoid providing personal information upfront until you get to know the person.
  • Have a telephone call and video chat before meeting to avoid a catfish situation.  Meet in a public location and inform a friend or keep family informed where you are.  
  • Be careful on public or shared computers, and make sure to log out after browsing.

Before meeting and meet in public and stay in public

Before you meet, get to know the person. If you sense red flags or weird vibes, pay attention. It might be helpful to meet online via phone or video call as a screening process before you decide to meet in person. Inform family and friends of your plans and have your cell phone handy. Make sure your cell phone is with you and the battery is charged.

Asking for money or financial assistance or to join a money-making scheme or a cure for HIV.   

If someone asks you for money/financial assistance, or to join a money-making scheme, or pay for a cure for HIV, these are all scams. Be suspicious of people that message you and want to talk to you via email, phone, or text message in their first contact with you. Please DO NOT send any money, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, etc., no matter how appealing it may seem. As a rule, Do NOT send money to anyone you meet on the Positivelove.ca site. Please report them to us immediately. They will be banned from the site permanently

Plan transportation to meet your date and return

Always be in control of how you are getting to meet your date and how you return home. Have a backup plan if you live in a town, city, or region where public transportation is not accessible or safe.

Drinks and alcohol

If you do not drink alcohol, Do Not drink alcohol on your date (even if you are pressured by your date). If you drink alcohol, know your limit as it can impair your judgment. Do not leave your drink unattended as people can put substances in your drink without you knowing. Most substances are tasteless, colorless, and odorless. Only accept drinks served directly from the bartender and or server. 

When and if you feel uncomfortable. 

If you feel uncomfortable and your gut instinct tells you to leave or end the date earlier, pay attention to it. 

Personal items 

When out on a date, always keep all your personal items -wallet, purse, bags, backpacks, briefcase, close to you or on you always.

HIV positive status and LGBTQI travel 

It is a criminal offense in 70 countries to be LGBTQI identified, and in some countries, it is a criminal offense for people living with HIV to be sexually active. Before traveling or meeting someone in a new country, research and check what types of legal protection are available based on your HIV status and or sexual orientation and gender identity. It is important to exercise extra caution when meeting new people in these countries. 

ILGA. (2019). https://ilga.org/maps-sexual-orientation-laws

UNAIDS. (2021). https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/01-hiv-human-rights-factsheet-criminalization_en.pdf 

HIV criminalization laws around the world (2020). https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/hiv-criminalisation-laws-around-world 

BMJ Global Health. (2021). https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/8/e006315

HIV Justice Worldwide

HIV JUSTICE WORLDWIDE is a global coalition that campaigns to abolish criminal and similar laws, policies and practices that regulate, control and punish people living with HIV based on their HIV-positive status. https://www.hivjusticeworldwide.org/en/

Join the Movement! | HIV Justice Worldwide

Beyond Blame 2018 Meeting Report and Evaluation Now Available | HIV Justice Network

Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+): GNP+ is a network for people living with HIV, run by people living with HIV. https://gnpplus.net/