Common Warning Signs
Most people using Vivastreet have genuine interactions, but it is still important to stay alert when something does not feel quite right.
Be cautious if someone:
asks you for money before meeting;
puts you under pressure to act or pay quickly;
avoids answering straightforward questions;
gives explanations that keep changing;
asks for sensitive personal or banking information;
or makes promises or offers that seem unrealistic.
Scammers often rely on urgency, emotion or pressure to encourage quick decisions.
A genuine person should normally understand if you want to take your time or ask questions.
If something feels unusual or inconsistent, pause and reassess before continuing.
Staying Safe While Connecting Online
Whether you are chatting, arranging a meeting or getting to know someone through Vivastreet, a few simple precautions can help you stay safer.
Take your time
Trust should not need to be rushed.
Be cautious if someone puts pressure on you to make a decision quickly or makes you feel that you must act immediately.
Be careful with upfront payments
Take extra care if someone asks you to send money before you have met.
This could include requests for a deposit, booking fee, travel cost or another advance payment.
Before sending money, take time to consider whether the situation makes sense and whether you are comfortable continuing.
Be cautious of very fast trust
Some scammers try to build trust or an emotional connection very quickly.
Be aware if someone uses pressure, guilt, fear or urgency to influence your decisions.
A convincing profile is not proof
Photos, messages and a convincing conversation do not always mean that the person behind the profile is genuine.
Take your time, ask questions and pay attention if information does not seem consistent.
Protect your personal information
Do not share passwords, verification codes, banking information or sensitive personal documents with someone you do not know.
If something does not feel right, stop and reassess. You can also report the advert or contact our support team for help.
Things to Question Yourself
Sometimes the best safety check is simply giving yourself a moment to think before continuing.
Before sending money, sharing personal information or arranging to meet someone, ask yourself:
Am I being pressured to make a quick decision?
Does this interaction feel unusually rushed or emotional?
Have I been able to verify any of the information I have been given?
Are straightforward questions being avoided?
Does anything about the story seem inconsistent?
Would I advise a friend to continue in the same situation?
Am I overlooking something that concerns me because I want the interaction to be genuine?
There is no perfect checklist that can tell you whether someone is genuine.
These questions are simply there to help you pause and consider the situation more carefully.
If you are unsure, taking more time before continuing is always OK.
Protect Your Information & Privacy
Protecting your personal information is one of the simplest ways to stay safer online.
Never share
Do not share:
passwords;
verification codes;
banking PINs;
online banking login details;
or sensitive personal documents with someone you do not know.
Think before sharing personal details
Take extra care when sharing things such as:
your phone number;
social media accounts;
home address;
workplace details;
private photos or videos.
Once information, images or messages have been shared online, it may be difficult to control where they go or how they are used.
If someone is pressuring you to provide personal information or private content, stop and consider whether the request is really necessary.
If Someone Is Blackmailing You
If someone threatens to share your personal information, private photos, videos or conversations unless you send them money, this is a form of blackmail.
Blackmail scams are designed to make people feel frightened, embarrassed or pressured into acting quickly.
If this happens:
Do not pay third-party money demands. Paying does not guarantee that the threats will stop and may lead to further demands.
Stop communicating with the person if it is safe to do so.
Keep any relevant messages or evidence where possible.
Report the advert or profile to Vivastreet.
Contact your local police force to report what has happened and seek advice.
If you are unsure what to do, our support team is here to help.
Reporting & Getting Help
If something feels suspicious, uncomfortable or simply does not seem right, you do not have to continue the interaction.
What should I do?
If you are concerned:
stop communicating if necessary;
do not send money or additional personal information;
keep relevant messages or information where possible;
report the advert or profile;
contact your local police if you believe a crime may have been committed
and contact our support team if you need help.
Scams can be convincing and are not always obvious from the beginning.
Reporting suspicious behaviour helps us investigate concerns and helps protect other people using Vivastreet.
If in doubt, contact us. We would rather you ask than continue with something you are uncomfortable about.