Police warn online daters to be wary of predators

The person on the other side of your dating app may seem like your soulmate, but they are still a stranger.

That is the reminder the Vancouver Police Department is putting out in a new safety campaign that seeks to arm eligible singles with tips on approaching the world of online dating.

In recent years, police have noticed an increase in online dating as the reason for initial contact in sexual assault and fraud cases, spurring the campaign announced Wednesday.

“Particularly on dating sites, women are finding themselves at higher risk for sexual assault, violent crime and fraud,” said Det. Const. Michelle Grandbois at a news conference on Wednesday. “But these crimes are under-reported and we want to hear from victims so they can access the resources and help prevent others from being victimized.”

The campaign features a series of posters mimicking online dating profiles with the slogan, “They don’t always fit the profile.” As well, police have shared a number of tips for how to approach online dating and stories from those who have been victimized by online predators at catchyou.ca.

Those who date online are reminded not to give out personal information too freely, not to use a profile photo that can be used to reverse Google image search for other personal details, and not to “friend” a stranger too quickly on Facebook and other platforms. Daters should arrange for their first interaction to take place in public and to let a friend know where they will be and with whom.

Grandbois, who works with the VPD’s sex crime unit, said there was not any particular site that was of concern, but that predators might be on multiple websites.