Safety Tips
General Information
Veggly brings like-minded people together. Our goal is to help you find relevant people and build meaningful relationships.
With so many people on Veggly and with the growing user base, user safety is a priority. We understand that meeting someone for the first time whether online, through an acquaintance or going out is intriguing and exciting. However, your safety is very important, and because you are in control of your experience, there are certain safety steps that you should follow while dating – both online and offline.
We ask you to read the tips and information below, and strongly advise you to follow these guidelines in the interest of your personal safety and well-being. However, you are always the best judge of your own safety, and these guidelines are not intended to be a substitute for your own judgment.
Online
Protect Your Finances & Never Send Money or Financial Information
Never respond to any request to send money, especially overseas or via wire transfer, and report it to us immediately – even if the person claims to be in an emergency. Wiring money is like sending cash: the sender has no protections against loss and it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money.
Romance scams are unfortunately common on many online platforms. Scammers may create emotional connections quickly and then invent emergencies or personal crises in order to request financial help. In many cases, victims lose significant amounts of money before realizing the situation is fraudulent. If anyone asks you for money or financial assistance, treat it as a major red flag and report the account immediately.
For more information, click on the video below to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s advice to avoid online dating scams, also available here.
Protect Your Personal Information
Never give personal information, such as: your social security number, credit card number or bank information, or your work or home address to people you don’t know or haven’t met in person.
Note: Veggly will never send you an email asking for your username and password information. Any such communication should be reported immediately.
Be Web Wise
Block and report suspicious users. You can block and report concerns about any suspicious user anonymously at any time on Veggly – while browsing or after you’ve matched.
Keep conversations on the platform. Bad actors will try to move the conversation to text, personal email or phone conversations. We recommend continuing conversations within the Veggly platform until you feel completely comfortable and confident that the person is genuine.
Profile Verification
If you ever suspect that a profile may not be authentic, you can ask the person to verify their Veggly account. Veggly offers an AI-powered account validation feature designed to improve trust and safety within the community.
Verified profiles help create a safer environment and make it easier for members to feel confident about who they are interacting with. If someone refuses to verify their account or repeatedly avoids the request, consider it a potential red flag and report the profile if necessary.
How It Works
- Users can verify their accounts through a quick and secure process.
- Verified profiles receive a special badge, indicating that the account has been validated.
- This helps increase trust between members and reduces the chances of encountering fake profiles.
Encouraging profile verification helps make the Veggly community safer and allows everyone to focus on building genuine and meaningful connections.
Do Not Share Intimate Content
Avoid sending intimate or explicit photos or videos to someone you do not know and fully trust. Unfortunately, such content can sometimes be used in blackmail schemes known as “sextortion,” where someone threatens to distribute private images unless money or additional material is provided. If anyone pressures you to share explicit content or attempts to use such material against you, block and report the user immediately.
Report All Suspicious Behavior
Additionally, please report anyone who violates our terms of use.
Examples of terms of use violations include:
- Asks you for money or donations
- Requesting explicit photographs or pressuring you to share intimate content
- Minors using the platform
- Users sending harassing or offensive messages
- Users behaving inappropriately after meeting in person
- Fraudulent registration or profiles.
- Spam or solicitation, such as invitations to call 1-900 numbers or attempts to sell products or services.
Offline
First meetings are exciting, but always take precautions and follow these guidelines to help you stay safe:
Get to Know the Other Person
Keep your communications limited to the platform and really get to know users online/using the app before meeting them in person. Bad actors often push people to communicate off the platform immediately. You should always research and do your due diligence before taking this next step.
Always Meet and Stay in Public
Meet for the first time in a populated, public place – never in a private or remote location, and never at your home or apartment. If your date pressures you, end the date and leave at once.
Tell Your Friends and Family Members of Your Plans
Inform a friend or family member of your plans and when and where you’re going. Make sure you have your cell phone charged and with you at all times. You may also consider sharing your live location with someone you trust while on the date.
Transport Yourself to and from the Meeting
You need to be independent and in control of your own transportation, especially in case things don’t work out.
Stay Sober and Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Consumption of alcohol and/or other drugs can impair your judgment and potentially put you in danger. It’s important to keep a clear mind and avoid anything that might place you at risk. Be aware that bad actors might try to take advantage of you by altering your beverage(s) with synthetic substances, and always keep an eye on your drink.
Health
Veggly welcomes everyone and empowers our community of users to create and cultivate relationships. An important aspect of any healthy relationship though – whether formed on Veggly or otherwise – is ensuring proper sexual health and safety. And as a member of the Veggly community, it is your responsibility to make sure you do the following, if you choose to engage in sexual activity.
Protect Yourself.
You and your partner should use proper protection. Condoms and other mechanisms can significantly reduce the risk of contracting or passing on an STI, such as HIV. To be effective, however, protective measures must be used consistently. Please keep in mind, you can still get certain STIs, like herpes or HPV from contact with your partner’s skin even when using a condom.
Be Open and Honest
It is completely reasonable to have a conversation with your partner regarding sex and sexual contact before actually having it. All issues ranging from the number of partners each of you has had, to the last time each of you was tested for STIs are fair game. Many STIs are curable or treatable. If either you or your partner has an STI that is curable, you both need to start treatment to avoid becoming re-infected. It is important to be completely honest in these conversations.
Vaccinate
The risk of contracting some STIs can be reduced through vaccination. Talk to your doctor or a professional at a sexual health clinic to learn more.
Know Your Status
Know your status. Some STIs don’t show symptoms. Regular testing is critical to staying on top of your health and helping prevent the spread of STIs. After testing, always ask for a copy of your test results so you are sure of your status. There are many free, quick and confidential testing options – find the best locations near you using Healthvana’s free HIV and STD testing locator.
For Further Help, Support or Advice
In the case that something has happened, immediately call 911. Emergency situations include a recent threat of violence or sexual violence, recent act of violence or sexual violence or if your health or someone else’s is in danger.
If something has happened and you’re in need of help, support or advice pertaining to physical or sexual assault, please call the below 24hr hotlines.
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE | www.rainn.org
Planned Parenthood
1-800-230-7526 | www.plannedparenthood.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 | www.thehotline.org
