Safety Tips

Your safety matters. Show Up introduces you to people we do not vet, employ, or supervise. You meet other people at your own risk. These tips will help you stay safe - read them, share them with a friend, and trust your instincts.

1. Online safety

Never send money or financial information

No one on Show Up should ever ask you for money, wire transfers, banking details, cryptocurrency, or investment - no matter how convincing their story. If someone asks, report them immediately. Scammers often build trust over days or weeks before making a request.

Protect your personal information

Don't share your home address, workplace, daily routines, phone number, email, or financial details with someone you've just met on the app. Take your time getting to know someone before sharing anything that could be used to find or impersonate you. If you have children, avoid sharing their names, ages, school, or photos with people you don't know well.

Stay on the app

Keep your conversations within Show Up while you're getting to know someone. We have safety tools built into the platform. People with bad intentions often try to move conversations to other apps quickly - be suspicious of anyone who pushes to switch platforms immediately.

Be cautious of long-distance connections

Be wary of someone who claims to live in your city but is currently "stranded" or "travelling" elsewhere, who always has a reason they can't meet, or who avoids phone or video calls. If someone consistently puts off meeting in person, consider why.

Do a background check

You can search someone's name online, check public records, or look them up on social media. While no background check is perfect, a quick search can sometimes reveal red flags. Remember that Show Up does not conduct background checks on users.

2. Meeting in person

Don't rush

Take your time getting to know someone before agreeing to meet. A phone call or video call before meeting can be a useful screening tool - it's harder to fake a real-time conversation than a chat profile.

Meet in public and stay in public

Always meet in a busy, well-lit public place - a café, restaurant, park, or market - especially the first time. Stay there. If someone pressures you to go somewhere private or isolated, that's a red flag. End the meetup.

Tell someone your plans

Before you go, tell a friend or family member:

• Where you're going and when.
• Who you're meeting (share their name and what you know about them).
• When you expect to be back.

Check in with them when you're home. Share your live location with someone you trust if your phone supports it.

Trust your instincts - and report

If something feels off - the person doesn't match their profile, their behaviour is strange, the situation feels unsafe - leave. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Walk into a shop, ask a staff member for help, call a friend, or contact the authorities.

Once you're safe, report them in the app. Reporting someone you're currently matched with automatically blocks them, cancels the match, and severs all connection between you - without any strike or penalty to you. Safety reports never count against your reliability record. You are never punished for protecting yourself.

Know your limits with alcohol and substances

Alcohol and other substances impair your judgment and alertness. Know your limits and stick to them. If someone pressures you to drink more than you're comfortable with or offers you anything you didn't see prepared, hold your ground and end the meetup.

Don't leave drinks or belongings unattended

Only accept drinks directly from the bartender or server. Don't leave your drink unattended - many substances used to facilitate assault are odourless, colourless, and tasteless. Keep your phone, wallet, and bag with you.

3. Transport & logistics

• Arrange your own transport. Drive yourself, use a ride-share app, or take public transport. Don't rely on someone you're meeting for a ride - you want the ability to leave whenever you choose.
• Have a backup plan. Know how you'll get home if things end early. Keep your phone charged and have emergency numbers saved.
• Charge your phone. Carry a power bank if your battery doesn't last. A dead phone means no maps, no ride share, and no way to call for help.
• Share your ETA. Let your contact know when you've arrived and when you're heading home.

4. Sexual health & consent

Consent is everything

All sexual activity must start with clear, enthusiastic consent - and it can be withdrawn at any moment. Consent is:

• Freely given - without pressure, threats, or manipulation.
• Informed - everyone knows what they're agreeing to.
• Ongoing - check in. Silence or lack of resistance is not consent.
• Revocable - anyone can stop at any time, for any reason.

A person who is intoxicated, unconscious, asleep, or otherwise incapacitated cannot consent. If you're unsure whether someone is able to consent, don't proceed.

Protect yourself

Correct and consistent use of condoms and other barrier methods can reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV. Be aware that some STIs - such as herpes and HPV - can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Vaccination can reduce the risk of some STIs. Get tested regularly - not all STIs show symptoms. In many places, knowingly transmitting an STI without disclosure is a crime.

Talk about it

Have an honest conversation about sexual health, STI testing, and boundaries before becoming physically intimate. It might feel awkward - do it anyway. A person who refuses to discuss it or shames you for bringing it up is showing you a red flag.

5. Spotting scams & bad actors

Watch for these common red flags:

• The money request: Someone you've never met asks for money - for an "emergency," a plane ticket, a medical bill, a business opportunity, or a gift card. This is a scam. Every time.
• The too-good-to-be-true profile: Model-quality photos, no personal details, and an immediate push to chat off-platform. Likely a fake profile.
• The love bomber: Overwhelming affection and declarations of deep feelings before you've even met. This is a manipulation tactic.
• The mystery person: They refuse video calls, always cancel plans to meet, and have constant excuses. They may not be who they claim to be.
• The information harvester: They ask a lot of personal questions quickly - where you work, where you live, your routine. They're building a profile of you.

6. How to report

If someone makes you uncomfortable, behaves inappropriately, or puts you at risk:

• Report them - use the in-app report tool. If you're currently matched, reporting them automatically blocks them, cancels the match, and removes all connection between you - with no strike or penalty to you. Safety reports never count against your reliability record. You are never punished for protecting yourself.
• Block them - use the in-app block feature. Like reporting, blocking a match cancels it without a strike. They won't be able to contact you again.
• Email us - [email protected] for urgent safety concerns.

In an emergency, contact local law enforcement immediately. If you're in Nigeria, dial 112 or 199. We will cooperate with law enforcement to the extent required by law.