A promise worth keeping
The Nightmare Dates Pledge
Dating should be exciting, not expensive. Make one clear promise to yourself: no money, no panic, no scam.
Say it with your hand held high
I (Your name) pledge not to send money through any online door,
To anyone I’ve never met in person before.
With my hand held high, my commitment you’ll see,
To keep my wallet shut and stay scam-free.
Additional notes
and clauses.
The things people use to make a request for money sound urgent, emotional and convincing. They are still red flags.
- This includes anyone claiming they are in urgent need of money for medical treatments, such as life-threatening illnesses or emergency surgery, even cancer, yes people lie about this too!
- This includes individuals I meet online who quickly develop a romantic relationship and then claim to need money for a visa, a plane ticket, or to resolve a sudden personal crisis.
- This includes propositions to invest in ‘too-good-to-be-true’ business opportunities that promise high returns with little to no risk.
- This includes calls or messages claiming to be from a relative or a friend who is supposedly in trouble and needs money immediately, often urging secrecy.
- This includes anyone impersonating tax officials who claim that I owe taxes and must pay immediately or face dire consequences.
Stickers and Badges
for use on social media.
Download a badge for your social pages. It is a small way to show you have taken the pledge and to start a useful conversation.
Keep your wallet shut.
Real connection does not come with an urgent payment deadline. If a match asks for money, pause, tell someone you trust and walk away.