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CRAVE Social

Safety Tips

Effective 1 October 2026

Meeting new people should be exciting – and safe. These practical tips will help you stay in control, online and in person. They apply to everyone: singles and couples, first-timers and regulars.

If you are ever in immediate danger, call your local emergency number (for example 911 in the US, 999 or 112 in the UK, 112 in the EU, 10111 in South Africa or 000 in Australia).

Protect your information

  • Keep your full name, home address, workplace, daily routine and financial details private until you really know someone.
  • Don't put contact details in your profile or Quickies. Chat inside CRAVE until you're ready to share more – it lets you block and report if something feels wrong.
  • Use photos that don't reveal where you live or work (house numbers, street signs, car number plates, uniforms or ID badges). We remove location metadata from photos, but what's visible in a photo stays visible.
  • Use a strong, unique password and never share your login details.
  • Think before you share intimate photos. Once sent, you can't control where they go.

Spot scams and fake profiles

  • Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or bank details to someone you met online – no matter how convincing the story (emergencies, travel costs, investments, "verification fees").
  • Be wary of anyone who quickly professes strong feelings, avoids video calls, always has an excuse not to meet, or pushes you to move to another app straight away.
  • Watch out for people asking you to pay for "verification", content subscriptions or to meet – that's against our rules.
  • Look for Verified badges and vouches from other members, but remember they're a guide, not a guarantee.
  • Do a quick reverse image search if photos look too polished or like a model's portfolio.
  • Report anything suspicious using "Fake Profile / Scam" – it helps protect everyone.

Before you meet

  • Chat for a while and consider a video call first – it's an easy way to confirm someone is who they say they are.
  • Agree on expectations and boundaries in advance. You're never obliged to do anything you agreed to earlier.
  • Tell a friend who you're meeting, where and when. Share their profile and your live location with someone you trust, and arrange a check-in call or text.
  • Make sure your phone is charged and you have money for a ride home.
  • For couples: talk through your boundaries and signals with each other before meeting anyone.

When you meet

  • Meet in a busy public place for the first time – a café, bar or restaurant – never at your home or theirs, and never somewhere isolated.
  • Arrange your own transport to and from the meeting so you can leave whenever you want.
  • Keep an eye on your drink and belongings. Don't accept drinks you didn't see being poured. If you feel unusually affected, ask staff for help immediately.
  • Know your limits with alcohol and avoid drugs – they affect your judgement and your ability to consent.
  • Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, leave. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Ask venue staff for help if you need to.
  • Consent must be clear, enthusiastic and ongoing – and can be withdrawn at any time, by anyone.
  • Someone who is drunk, high or asleep can't consent.
  • Check in with each other. Respect a "no", a hesitation, or a change of mind immediately.
  • Practise safer sex and talk about sexual health openly. Visit a local sexual health clinic for regular testing and advice.

Using Quickies safely

  • Only ever mention a general area in a Quickie – never your address.
  • Meet in a public place first, even for a spontaneous plan, and tell a friend where you're going.
  • Quickies disappear after 48 hours at most, but screenshots don't. Keep them non-explicit.

Report, block and get help

  • Report any member who makes you uncomfortable, breaks our Community Guidelines, appears to be under 18, or asks you for money – even if it happened offline. Tap the menu on their profile or chat and choose Report. Reports are confidential.
  • Block anyone you don't want to hear from again, and Unmatch to remove the conversation.
  • Use Incognito to control who can see your profile.
  • Email our safety team at safety@cravesocial.co.za.
  • If you have experienced sexual assault or abuse, please contact local police and a specialist support service. In the US: RAINN (1-800-656-4673, rainn.org). In the UK: Rape Crisis (0808 500 2222, rapecrisis.org.uk). In Australia: 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In South Africa: the GBV Command Centre (0800 428 428). Elsewhere, search for your national sexual assault helpline.