Safety Tips

This is a translation provided for convenience. The French version ("Conseils de sécurité") is the authoritative text and prevails in case of discrepancy.

Meeting someone should stay a pleasure. These tips do not replace your own judgement or, in case of danger, the emergency services. IDELOVA does not run background checks on its members: the "verified" badge only means the photos match the person, not that they are trustworthy.

1. Online

• Stay in the app at first. Scammers quickly try to move to WhatsApp, Telegram or e-mail, out of reach of our moderation. Take your time.
• Protect your information. Do not give your address, employer, full name or routine before you know the person well. Check what your photos reveal (number plate, background, uniform, badge).
• Have a video call before meeting. It is the simplest way to check that the person is the one in the photos. Repeated refusal is a warning sign.
• Beware of profiles that are too perfect: professional-quality photos, a moving story, declarations of love within days, someone "on a mission abroad", "in the military", "an engineer on an oil rig" or "widowed with a child".
• Never share intimate photos. They can be used to blackmail you (sextortion). If it happens: do not pay, keep the evidence, block, report to us and file a complaint with the police.
• Links and files sent by a stranger may contain malware or lead to fake sites: do not click.

2. Never money

No reason is valid: medical emergency, plane ticket to come and see you, parcel stuck at customs, lawyer's fees, a crypto or trading "opportunity", a loan "repaid tomorrow". Asking for money, gift cards, codes or access to your bank account is always a scam, even after weeks of conversation. Do not transfer money, do not invest on a site recommended by a date, and do not agree to receive or pass on money for someone (you would become an accomplice to money laundering).

Typical signs of a romance scam or an investment scam ("pig butchering"):

1. The relationship becomes intense very quickly, with many compliments and plans.
2. The person can never meet or make a video call.
3. They mention their financial success and end up offering to "help" you invest.
4. An unexpected emergency arises, and only you can help.

If you have already sent money: contact your bank immediately, keep all exchanges, report the profile and file a complaint. There is nothing to be ashamed of; these networks are professional.

3. The first date

• Public place, daytime or early evening, chosen by you: café, restaurant, busy walk. Not at your place, not at theirs, no car journey with the person.
• Tell someone close: who you are meeting, where, at what time; share your live location and agree on a check-in message.
• Arrange your own transport and keep what you need to get home alone (charged phone, money, transport pass).
• Stay in control of your drink: never leave it unattended, limit alcohol, refuse anything you did not see prepared.
• Trust your instinct. You can leave at any time, without justification. A respectful partner will understand.
• Consent. Any intimate act requires free, clear and revocable agreement. No means no; so does silence or hesitation.

4. After a date

If something went wrong — threatening behaviour, assault, pressure, photos taken without consent — you can report it to us even afterwards via the person's profile or at safety@idelova.com. We take these reports seriously, we protect your anonymity towards the person reported and we cooperate with the authorities.

5. Getting help

The numbers above are given for guidance; check them with your country's official services.

6. Health

Talk about protection before any intimate relationship and get tested regularly. In Switzerland, testing and counselling centres are listed at www.lovelife.ch.

The French version of this page prevails.