Safe & Anonymous Dating

Guard your personal information
Never include your full name, home address and phone numbers, personal and work email addresses, place of work or any other identifying information in your skyecandy 'CAPTION ABOUT ME', Internal Cheeky Notes or SMS messages in the initial stages of communication. Never feel pressured or obliged to reveal your personal information to someone you've just met speed dating. If the speed date is successful take your time to get to know someone. Only exchange such information when you feel completely safe and comfortable.

Anonymous while speed dating
skyecandy recommends you create a new Skype account that does not contain any personal details so you can speed date anonymously. skyecandy will only provide your Skype name to a successful date.

Use Skype
When continuing communication with a successful speed date, Skype is a good way to remain anonymous until you feel comfortable to exchange more information. You will always have the option, if necessary, to use Skype features such as blocking to discontinue contact.

Use skyecandy Internal Cheeky Notes and SMS Message Service
skyecandy offers internal Cheeky Notes and SMS as an anonymous messaging service.

Use a free Email account
skyecandy will never publish your email address to other members. If you do decide to exchange your email address, use a free email account service such as Gmail, Yahoo! or Hotmail. Don't put your full name in the email settings, instead use a first name or nickname.

Use a mobile
When continuing communication with a successful speed date use a mobile or other anonymous phone services. Be wise never to give out your home or work phone numbers. It may be too easy to get your name and address just by looking up your phone number in Google or phone directories.

Be mindful of questionable characteristics
If you continue communication with a successful date, over time you should be able to make out certain characteristics. Do they appear too eager and overly romantic without having met you in person? Too many financial questions? Appear to be a little too controlling? Seems to get angry or frustrated too quickly? Always avoids certain questions? Requests you to do stuff online you are not comfortable with? These may be some questionable characteristics that should ring alarm bells for you to discontinue contact with this person.

Never engage financially
If someone you've only just met while speed dating starts asking you for money or any other sort of financial assistance this person is best avoided. Common scam stories to avoid include: raising money for a charitable cause, helping a sick relative or paying for travel expenses to meet up with you.

Before agreeing to meet in person
skyecandy encourages you to spend some time in getting to know someone before agreeing to meet in person. When you believe a level of trust has been established and you are certain you will be treated with respect, you might feel comfortable enough to meet up.

Meet in a public place
Before you meet any first date in person, you should always let someone else know where you're going and provide as much information as possible about the person you are meeting. You might want to consider having someone call you on your mobile to check if everything is OK. Always meet in a public place and preferably somewhere you know well. It is important to plan your own transport to and from the meeting place. It is unwise to get into a car with someone you have only just met.

Avoid too much alcohol
Alcohol may affect your ability to remain alert and make the right decisions while on a date. If you plan to have a few drinks, be responsible so that are in control at all times. Better yet, try to avoid alcohol on a first date. However, whether you drink alcohol or not, be mindful to keep your drink in view at all times.

Follow your own intuition
If something doesn't feel right, chances are it probably isn't. Use your common sense in any situation and always trust your instincts. If you ever feel uncomfortable remember that your safety is much more important than someone's opinion of you and feel confident to leave.

Travelling overseas to meet a date
If you are considering to travel overseas to meet with a successful speed date extra caution should be taken. Be sure to research all aspects of your safety about the country you intend to visit. Let someone else know your complete travel itinerary and provide as much information as possible about the person you are meeting. Always arrange your own transportation and accommodation.

Read up on other safe dating tips
Consider spending more time researching safe dating tips recommended by others, such as in books and via other resources available on the internet.