Most conversations are ordinary and friendly, but safety depends on keeping control of what you share and how quickly a new connection develops.
Protect identifying information
Do not post your home address, personal phone number, workplace, routine, passwords, financial details or identity documents. Check photographs for visible addresses, car registrations, school details and location data.
Small details can combine over time. A first name, neighbourhood, employer and regular journey may identify somebody even when no single message appears risky. Decide in advance which information you will keep private.
Keep early conversations on ChatFriends
Moving immediately to private messaging removes community safeguards and may expose a telephone number or personal account. A genuine person will respect your decision to take time.
Pressure is information. Repeated requests, guilt, secrecy or anger when you say no are reasons to slow down, save the messages and use block or report tools.
Never send money or account access
Do not transfer money, buy gift cards, send cryptocurrency, receive money on someone’s behalf or allow access to your accounts. Treat urgent stories and requests for secrecy as warning signs.
A photograph, video call or long conversation does not make a financial request safe. Contact your bank using a number you find independently if you have already paid or exposed account information.
Block, report and preserve evidence
Stop replying when somebody becomes threatening, sexually coercive, discriminatory or manipulative. Save usernames, relevant messages and timestamps, then use the report button beside the relevant message. Do not repost private or abusive material more widely than necessary.
Meeting offline
If you eventually choose to meet, verify the person gradually, tell somebody you trust, use a busy public place, arrange your own travel and keep your phone charged. Do not allow the other person to collect you from home, and leave immediately if anything feels wrong.
Review your safety settings
Use a strong password that is not reused elsewhere. Protect the email account connected to ChatFriends, install browser and device updates, and be cautious with links or files sent in chat. ChatFriends will not need your password in order to moderate a room.