Sugar dating safety tips

Most sugar dating goes wrong in one of two ways: a scam that costs you money, or a first meeting that wasn't planned safely. These tips cover both, for sugar babies and sugar daddies alike.

The most common sugar daddy scams

• The "verification fee". Someone promises to be generous but first asks you to pay a small fee, buy a gift card, or send crypto to "prove you're real". Real people never ask this.
• The fake check or transfer. They send you money, then ask you to send part of it back or on to someone else. The original payment bounces, and you lose what you sent.
• The account login. They ask for your bank login, card number or phone codes "so they can send you something". Never share these with anyone.
• The fake sugar baby. Sugar daddies get targeted too: a stunning profile that quickly asks for money for an emergency, a phone bill or a plane ticket.

How to spot a fake profile

• No verified badge. On GildedDate, members have to verify an ID and a live selfie before they can message anyone.
• Photos that look like a model shoot, or that you can find elsewhere with a reverse image search.
• Pressure to move to WhatsApp, Telegram or text right away.
• Stories that change, or excuses for never video chatting.

Before you meet

• Keep chatting on GildedDate until you trust them. If something goes wrong, we can see the conversation and act on a report.
• Video chat first. Real people are happy to.
• Keep your home address, workplace and last name to yourself until you know them well.
• Tell a friend who you are meeting, where and when, and agree on a time to check in.

On the first date

• Meet somewhere public, like a restaurant, hotel lobby or bar, and get there on your own.
• Stay in control of your drink and your phone.
• Leave whenever you want. You never owe anyone your time, whatever they have offered.

How GildedDate helps

• Every member is 18+, and nobody can send a message until they verify a government ID and a live selfie.
• Message filters flag requests for money, gift cards and crypto, and attempts to move you off the site.
• Report and block are on every profile, and our team reviews every report.
• Escorting and solicitation are banned, and suspected trafficking or child exploitation is reported to the authorities.

Get help

• In an emergency, call 911.
• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, or text 233733.
• Report a scam to the FBI at ic3.gov.
• Questions or a safety concern about a member? Contact us. Our full rules are on the Safety page.