At OnlyHugs, your safety is our highest priority. While we work hard to create a secure platform, online dating involves interacting with people you don't know. Please take the following precautions to protect yourself.

1. Protecting Your Personal Information

• Never share your home address, workplace address, or daily routine with someone you haven't met in person.
• Do not share financial information such as bank account numbers, credit card details, Social Security numbers, or tax identification numbers.
• Use the OnlyHugs messaging system for communication. Avoid switching to external messaging apps until you feel comfortable and have verified the person's identity.
• Be cautious about sharing social media profiles too early, as they may reveal personal information such as your location, workplace, or family details.
• Consider using a dedicated email address for online dating rather than your primary email.

2. Meeting in Person

When you decide to meet someone from OnlyHugs in person, follow these essential safety steps:

• Always meet in a public place for your first few meetings (e.g., a coffee shop, restaurant, or park).
• Tell a trusted friend or family member where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to return.
• Arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting location. Do not rely on your date for a ride.
• Keep your phone fully charged and easily accessible.
• Stay sober and alert. Limit alcohol consumption and never leave your drink unattended.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, leave immediately and contact someone you trust.
• Consider using safety apps that allow trusted contacts to track your location in real time.

3. Recognizing Red Flags

Be cautious of users who:

• Ask for money or financial assistance, regardless of the reason or urgency.
• Refuse to video chat or meet in person after extended communication.
• Claim to be in a crisis or emergency and pressure you for immediate help.
• Provide inconsistent information about themselves.
• Pressure you to leave the OnlyHugs platform and communicate through other channels.
• Become aggressive, controlling, or overly possessive early in the interaction.
• Send unsolicited explicit content.
• Attempt to isolate you from friends and family.

4. Protecting Yourself from Scams

Romance scams are a serious threat in online dating. Common scam tactics include:

• Professing strong feelings very quickly (“love bombing”).
• Creating elaborate stories to explain why they cannot meet or video chat.
• Gradually building trust before requesting money for a fabricated emergency.
• Asking you to invest in a business opportunity or cryptocurrency.
• Sending fake checks or requesting you to forward money.

Golden rule: Never send money to someone you have not met in person.

5. Digital Safety

• Use a strong, unique password for your OnlyHugs account.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) when available.
• Be wary of links sent to you by other users — they may lead to phishing sites.
• Keep your device's operating system and apps up to date.
• Be cautious about granting excessive permissions to apps.

6. Reporting Concerns

If you experience or witness any of the following, please report immediately:

• Harassment, threats, or abusive behavior.
• Suspected underage users.
• Fraud or scam attempts.
• Users requesting money.
• Explicit or inappropriate content.
• Any behavior that makes you feel unsafe.

You can report users directly through the in-app reporting feature or by emailing hello@onlyhugs.me.

7. Emergency Resources

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (in the United States) or your local emergency number.

Additional resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (thehotline.org)
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-4673 (rainn.org)
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): ic3.gov
• FTC Report Fraud: reportfraud.ftc.gov
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (call or text)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

8. Our Commitment

OnlyHugs is committed to creating the safest possible dating experience. We employ dedicated moderation teams, advanced automated detection systems, and cooperate fully with law enforcement to protect our users. However, no platform can guarantee complete safety — your awareness and caution are your best protection.