human
I've heard there are a lot of scams in online dating. How can I protect myself?
assistant
The best way to protect yourself is to be cautious and aware. Do your research before meeting someone online, and make sure that they have a legitimate profile with pictures and details about them. Be wary of people who ask for money upfront or seem too good to be true. It’s also important to meet in public places, like coffee shops or restaurants, rather than private residences. Finally, if you feel uncomfortable or threatened, it's better to end the conversation quickly and report any suspicious behavior to the police.