Hookup Safety: Have Fun and Stay in Control
The controls you have on HookUps.co.uk, and simple habits for meeting someone new with a clear head.
You decide what people see
Four controls you can try for yourself as soon as you join.
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A username, not your name
Other members see the username you choose. Your real name and email address are never shown to them.
In practice: you decide if and when anyone learns who you are.
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Your nearest town, not your address
Your profile names your nearest town, never your address or your live location.
In practice: people can see you're nearby without knowing where you live.
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Block anyone
Block a member and they can no longer contact you.
In practice: a chat you're not enjoying ends when you say so.
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Report a profile or a message
You can report a profile, or a single message, from inside the site.
In practice: if something feels off, you can flag it there and then.
Everything else members can do is on our features page.
Make the first meet easy on yourself
A little planning lets you relax and enjoy the night. Five habits cover it:
- Meet somewhere public first. A busy pub, bar or café is the place to find out if the spark is there. Somewhere private can come later, once you're both sure.
- Tell a friend. Give a mate the details: the venue, the username of the person you're meeting and a rough time you'll be home. A quick text halfway through the evening puts their mind at rest.
- Sort your own way there and back. Keep your phone charged and money for a taxi, so you never depend on a stranger for a lift home.
- Stay sober enough to decide. A drink can settle the nerves. Too many and you can't read the situation, or the person. Keep your glass with you.
- Keep the chat on HookUps.co.uk until you're ready. Swap numbers when you want to, not because someone keeps pushing for one.
Our hookup safety tips go into more detail.
Good sex starts with a clear yes
Agreeing to meet isn't agreeing to sex, and a yes to one thing isn't a yes to everything. Ask, listen, and take a no, a pause or a change of heart at face value. Either of you can change your mind at any point, even halfway through, and that's the end of it.
Someone who is very drunk, high or asleep can't consent. If you're not sure they're up for it, stop and ask, and if you're still not sure, stop. The same respect goes for photos and messages: never pass on anything intimate someone has sent you.
Condoms, tests and peace of mind
Use a condom every time with someone new, and carry your own rather than counting on theirs. Regular tests, and a test between partners, are part of enjoying no-strings sex without worrying about it afterwards.
NHS sexual health clinics can test you and give you advice, and home testing kits let you test without going to a clinic. If anything feels wrong after a hookup, get tested sooner rather than later.
Spot a scam before it costs you
Scammers and fake profiles turn up on dating sites and apps of every kind, hookup sites included. The warning signs are easy to learn:
- Any request for money. A sob story, a train fare, a parcel stuck at customs, gift cards: however it's dressed up, never send money to someone you've only met online.
- A rush to move off the site. Pushing you onto another messaging app before you've chatted properly is a classic first move.
- Photos that look too polished. Model-style shots, or pictures that don't match what they tell you, are often stolen. A reverse image search can show whether the same photos appear elsewhere under another name.
- Pressure for intimate pictures. Pushing for them early on can turn into threats to share them. Take your time, and never send anything you'd hate to see passed around.
If something rings alarm bells, stop replying, send nothing and report the profile from inside the site. Wondering about us? We answer that question in is HookUps.co.uk legit.
If a date goes wrong, put yourself first
Leave. You don't owe anyone an explanation, another drink or the rest of the night. Head somewhere busy, call a friend or a taxi, and get yourself home.
If you're in danger, or someone is hurt, call 999. Once you're somewhere safe, report the profile from inside the site and block the member so they can't contact you again.
Quick answers, so you can relax
Can a match find out my real name or address?
Your profile won't give it away. It carries the username you picked and your nearest town, and your real name, email and home address stay hidden. Anything more is yours to share in messages, or not.
What should I do if someone asks me for money?
Don't send it, however convincing the story. Stop replying, report the profile from inside the site and block them.
How can I tell if a profile is fake?
Watch for photos that look too polished, a story that doesn't add up, a push to move off the site and any mention of money. A reverse image search can tell you whether the photos appear anywhere else. If in doubt, report the profile and move on.
Should I meet at their place the first time?
Meet somewhere public first, like a pub or a bar, where you can both relax and leave whenever you want. If the chemistry is there, the two of you can decide where the night goes next.
What if I change my mind on the night?
Then you've changed your mind, and that's fine. Say so, leave if you want to, and don't let anyone talk you round. The same goes for the person you're meeting.
No strings, no pressure, just fun
Join, set your nearest town and chat at your own pace until you're ready to meet.
Join freeAdults 18 and over only.