Slow down anything that asks for trust too quickly.
No checklist can remove every risk, but ordinary boundaries make manipulation much harder. Use these steps before money, private documents, or international travel enters the picture.
The five-part check
1. Keep the pace ordinary
Urgency is a warning sign. A genuine person can tolerate boundaries, questions, and time to think.
2. Verify identity in layers
Use several live video calls at different times. Compare names, details, and public information without demanding invasive documents.
3. Protect money and documents
Never send money, gift cards, crypto, bank details, passport scans, or account credentials to someone you only know online.
4. Move toward a safe meeting
Meet in a public place, arrange your own travel and hotel, share the itinerary, and keep independent transportation.
5. Check the service business model
Some services charge for access or added features. Review fees, terms, and what is included before committing.
Stop and reassess when
- Stories change after you ask simple follow-up questions.
- Every attempt at live video fails for a new reason.
- A crisis creates pressure to send money immediately.
- You are asked to hide the relationship or payment from friends and family.
- Someone wants to use your bank account, identity, address, or devices.
- The service keeps adding fees without clearly explaining what you receive.
If you think you are being scammed
Stop sending money and preserve receipts, account names, and transaction details. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Report the account to the service and to the fraud-reporting authority in your country. If there is an immediate threat, contact local emergency services.