Safety Tips

Last updated on February 13, 2023

Meeting new people online can be exciting, but it’s important to exercise caution to protect yourself. Here are our safety tips that are part of our Terms and Conditions to help you stay safe during your experience on Cliqued. 

1. Online Safety. 

1.1 General

• Avoid connecting with suspicious profiles. Be cautious when connecting with profiles that have no bio, linked social media accounts, or only one picture. They may be fake accounts.
• Use different photos for your profile. Using different photos for your profile can help prevent someone from easily finding you on social media, especially through a reverse image search.
• Check out your new connection on social media. Look up your new connection’s name or handles on social media to ensure they’re not catfishing you. Having mutual friends online is also helpful.
• Block and report suspicious users. Block and report any users who act suspiciously or inappropriately towards you. You can do this anonymously in the app.
• Wait to share personal information. Never give someone you haven’t met in person any personal information, such as your email, credit card details, bank information, home or work address, or any details about your daily routine. If you receive a request for your login information, delete it and consider reporting it.
• Don’t respond to requests for financial help. Never respond to requests for financial help, no matter how convincing or compelling the reason may seem. If you receive such a request, report it to us in the app or via Contact Form immediately.
• Avoid sharing intimate photos. Never share intimate photos of yourself, as scammers might use them later on to damage your reputation.
• Stay vigilant and trust your instincts. If something seems suspicious, don’t hesitate to report it. Stay cautious and vigilant, especially if a contact seems too good to be true.

If you feel uncomfortable or suspicious about someone you’ve connected with, block and report them in the Cliqued app and consider reaching out to us via Contact Form.  

1.2 Suspicious Behavior

When using any app or website, it’s important to be vigilant and watch out for suspicious behavior that may indicate a scam or unhealthy manipulation. Here are some common red flags to be aware of:

• Financial assistance requests. Be cautious of individuals who ask for money, particularly for a sudden personal crisis, as this is a common tactic used by scammers.
• Misrepresentation of location. If someone claims to be from your area, but is currently living or traveling abroad, this can be a sign of a fake profile.
• Widow/widower with children. Be careful of those who claim to be recently widowed with children, as this is a tactic often used to gain sympathy and trust.
• Inconsistent information. Watch out for users who give vague or inconsistent answers to specific questions, or those who tell grandiose stories that don’t add up.
• Pressuring for personal information. Be wary of individuals who pressure you to provide your phone number or talk outside Cliqued, or those who request your home or work address.
• Fake profiles. Be cautious of those who seem to have created a fake profile, and report this behavior to the app or site.
• Selling products or services. Watch out for users who try to sell you products or services.

1.3 Phishing and Profile Takeover

Phishing is a common tactic used by scammers to obtain login information for a profile takeover. Here are some signs to watch out for to avoid becoming a victim:

• Suspicious Email. Look out for emails written in broken language, in a foreign language, or lacking personalization that request personal information, such as passwords or email addresses.
• Threats and intimidation. Scammers may threaten to take action if you don’t provide personal information, such as passwords, TAN or PIN. Be aware that we will never ask for this information.
• Inaccurate Email address. Check the sender’s email address carefully, as scammers may use a similar email address to the real company, with minor variations.
• Incomplete Web addresses. Watch out for incomplete web addresses or missing “https” before the address, as this indicates an insecure site.
• Payment requests. Be cautious of any request for money over email or messages. Cliqued will only process payments through Apple and Playstore.

If you suspect a profile of someone you know has been taken over, watch for these signs and report the profile immediately:

• Changes to profile. If the profile has been taken over, the profile entries will be changed, and photos may be added that do not match the original profile owner.
• Automated messages. Watch out for automated messages that do not respond to your questions or seem impersonal.
• Contact information eequests. Be cautious of those who request to communicate outside of the app or site, or those who give different contact information than before.

 2. When meeting in person.

• Take your time and ask questions. Before agreeing to meet or chat off the app, get to know the other person by asking questions to screen for any red flags or personal dealbreakers. A phone or video call can be a useful screening tool before meeting.
• Video chat before meeting in person. Consider scheduling a video chat with your new connection before meeting up in person for the first time. If they strongly resist a video call, that could be a sign of suspicious activity.
• Meet in a public place. For your first few meetings, avoid inviting someone you don’t know well yet to your home, apartment, or workplace. Meet in a coffee shop, restaurant, or bar with plenty of other people around. Avoid meeting in public parks and other isolated locations for first meetings.
• Tell someone where you’re going. Take a screenshot of your new connection’s profile and send it to a friend. Let at least one friend know where and when you plan to go on to meet that person. Text a friend to let them know your new location if you continue your meeting in another place you hadn’t planned on.
• Don’t leave drinks or personal items unattended. Know where your drink comes from and keep it with you at all times. Keep your phone, purse, wallet, and anything containing personal information on you at all times.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and feel free to leave your companion or cut off communication with whoever is making you feel unsafe.

If you felt uncomfortable or unsafe when meeting your new connection in person, remember you can always block or report him or her in the app. This will keep them from being able to access your profile in the future