Start with good security habits:

• Use a strong password — combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters
• Choose an appropriate username — avoid using your full name or identifiable information
• Consider a separate email — create a dedicated email for dating to keep your main inbox private
• Keep your device secure — ensure your phone/computer has up-to-date security software

Take your time getting to know someone on the platform before sharing additional contact information.

Be careful about what you share with people you haven't met:

• Never share your home address or workplace location
• Avoid sharing your daily routine or schedule
• Keep financial information private — bank details, credit cards, income
• Protect information about children — names, schools, activities
• Be cautious with social media — your profiles may reveal more than you realize

Tip: Do a quick search of your own name to see what information is publicly available about you.

Golden Rule: Never send money to anyone you've met online, no matter what reason they give.

Common scam scenarios include:

• "I'm stranded overseas and need money to get home"
• "I need money for a medical emergency"
• "I need help paying bills, then we can finally meet"
• "Invest in this opportunity with me"
• "Send me gift cards for [any reason]"

Scammers build emotional connections over weeks or months before asking for money. They may seem perfect and say all the right things. If anyone asks for money, report them immediately.

Be cautious if someone:

• Immediately wants to move off the platform — to text, WhatsApp, or email
• Avoids video calls — always has an excuse why they can't video chat
• Can never meet in person — despite talking for a long time
• Professes love very quickly — "love bombing" without really knowing you
• Has inconsistent stories — details that don't add up
• Pressures you — for personal information, photos, or to move faster than you're comfortable
• Claims to be military or working overseas — common scammer backstories

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

Before meeting in person, video chat to verify the person matches their photos and profile. Boba has built-in video calling so you can stay on the platform.

If someone consistently refuses to video chat:

• They may not look like their photos
• They may be using someone else's photos (catfishing)
• They may not be who they claim to be

A few minutes on video can save you from wasting time or worse. Don't skip this step.

When you're ready to meet someone from Boba in person:

• Tell someone — let a friend or family member know where you're going, who you're meeting, and when
• Meet in public — choose a busy, well-lit location like a coffee shop or restaurant
• Never meet at homes — not yours, not theirs, especially for the first few dates
• Arrange your own transportation — drive yourself, take a rideshare, or use public transit so you can leave whenever you want
• Keep your phone charged — and accessible at all times
• Consider sharing your location — with a trusted friend for the duration of the date

Stay safe during your date:

• Stay sober — avoid excessive alcohol or any drugs that impair your judgment
• Watch your drink — only accept drinks directly from bartenders or servers, and never leave your drink unattended
• Keep valuables close — don't leave your phone, wallet, or bag unattended
• Don't go to a second location — especially somewhere private, until you really know and trust the person
• Leave if pressured — if someone pressures you to drink more, go somewhere private, or do anything you're uncomfortable with

If you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, it's okay to leave.

You don't owe anyone an explanation. If something feels wrong, trust that feeling and remove yourself from the situation.

Ways to exit gracefully:

• "I'm not feeling well, I need to go."
• "I have an early morning, I should head out."
• "My friend needs me, I have to leave."

Or simply: "This isn't working for me. I'm going to leave." You don't need to justify your comfort.

Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity:

• Consent must be clearly and freely communicated
• Consent can be withdrawn at any time
• Silence or lack of resistance is not consent
• Someone who is intoxicated, unconscious, or asleep cannot consent
• If you're unsure whether you have consent, stop and ask

Protect your sexual health:

• Use condoms consistently to reduce STI transmission risk
• Get tested regularly — many STIs show no symptoms
• Communicate openly with partners about sexual health

Report users who:

• Ask for money or financial information
• Send offensive, threatening, or harassing messages
• Appear to be using fake photos or identities
• Promote illegal activities
• Make you feel uncomfortable in any way

You can report directly from a user's profile or message. Block them to prevent further contact. For more information, see our Community Guidelines .

If you or someone you know needs help, these resources are available:

For questions about Boba or to report a concern, contact us at mangomachine.agency@gmail.com . For more about how we protect your data, see our Privacy Policy .