Online Safety Tips

A. Safety Tips for Using the Online Community

Engaging in an online community is a great way to connect with like-minded people, but it’s essential to protect your personal information and set boundaries.

1. Protect Your Personal Information

Your personal information is valuable, and sharing too much online can lead to identity theft or unwanted contact.

Display Name Selection:

Choose a display name that reflects your personality or interests but doesn’t reveal personal information. For example, instead of “JaneSmith1990,” opt for something like “HappyHomesteader” or “GardeningGuru.” You can use your name for the community, just like you do on Facebook, however, if you’re participating in dating, we recommend using a made up name.

Avoid Sharing Identifiable Information:

Be mindful of what you reveal in casual conversations—something as simple as “I live on a small farm near the Springfield post office” can be pieced together with other details to identify you.

Do not give out personal information to a member or in public posts. Such as your social, address, mothers maiden name, password, workplace, bank account or credit card information or tell them where you work or frequent often.

Photos:

Avoid sharing pictures that contain identifying landmarks, street signs, or license plates.

Be cautious about sharing selfies or family photos if they show your home or recognizable locations.

Control Your Online Presence:

Avoid linking your community profile to your personal social media accounts.

2. Set Clear Boundaries

Private Messages:

Be cautious about who you engage with and what you share through private messages.

Avoid Over-Sharing:

Even with trusted members, limit how much personal information you reveal.

Know When to Block or Report:

If someone is overly persistent, disrespectful, or asks for inappropriate information, or makes you feel uncomfortable, then disengage, block them in messaging and report their behavior to the community moderators or admins immediately.

Establishing boundaries is key to a positive and safe online experience.

3. Spot Red Flags

Scammers:

Be wary of unsolicited messages offering too-good-to-be-true deals, asking for money, or pushing external links. Scammers often try to redirect you to external sites or ask for gifts, gift cards, crypto, products or money.

Beware of members that claim to be out of the country, don’t communicate well with their writing, don’t form complete or comprehensible sentences, asks you inappropriate things or wants to exchange nude photos, asks you for money or items or states they are having financial hardships or are experiencing an emergency.

Aggressive or Persistent Behavior:

Trust your gut—if someone constantly messages you, pressures you for information, tries to dominate your time, is overly pushy, disrespectful, or makes you uncomfortable, disengage immediately. These are all warning signs.

Phishing Links:

Avoid clicking on links that seem suspicious, especially if they claim to not require personal or financial details.

Inappropriate Content:

Watch for users who post or share offensive, inappropriate, or spammy content. Reporting such behavior helps keep the community safe for everyone.

Steadprep Will Not:

Steadprep Social, it’s representatives, moderators, admins or support will NEVER ask you for your social security number, mothers maiden name, password, bank account information or credit card number. We may ask you for the last four digits of the credit card on your account but not the full number, expiration or three digit code.

We will NEVER call you unless you specifically request us to do so.

We DO NOT charge for helping you or offering support.

We will NEVER ask you to download a file or app.

If you are ever unsure if Steadprep Social is the one contacting you, speaking to you or communicating in general with you, please reach out to us at help@steadprep.com or fill out our contact form under the menu Help -> Contact.

Recognizing suspicious behavior early can save you from potential harm.

4. Practice Healthy Community Engagement

A positive online experience comes from contributing meaningfully while safeguarding yourself.

Think Before You Post:

Consider how much information you’re sharing, even when asking questions. For example, instead of “I’m looking for gardening tips to make a hedge so I can’t see the post office in my backyard,” generalize it to “looking for tips on growing a privacy hedge”

Avoid Heated Arguments:

Keep discussions respectful and avoid engaging in online conflicts or drama.

Be Mindful of What You Post:

Remember, anything you share online could potentially be saved or shared by others.

Respect Community Guidelines:

Familiarize yourself with the platform’s rules to avoid unintentional violations. Encourage others to follow guidelines to maintain a respectful and welcoming environment.

 

B. Safety Tips for Online Dating

Online dating can be exciting, but staying safe is crucial when meeting new people online and offline.

1. Protect Your Identity

Don’t Share Personal Information Right Away: 

Avoid sharing your phone number, email address, address, workplace, or other identifying details early in conversations.

Be Careful With Photos: 

Avoid uploading photos that are linked to your other social media accounts or show your home or regular hangouts.

2. Vet Potential Matches

Do Your Research: 

Before meeting someone, look them up online to confirm their identity. Check social media or public records to ensure they’re genuine.

Ask Specific Questions: 

Pay attention to how consistent their answers are—vague or evasive responses could be a red flag.

3. Be Cautious With Communication

Use the App’s Messaging System: 

Keep your conversations on the community platform until you feel comfortable sharing contact details.

Watch for Love Bombing: 

If someone is overly affectionate or pushes for a fast-paced relationship early on, this could be a manipulation tactic.

Beware of Scammers: 

If someone asks for money, gifts, gift cards, crypto, products, or financial help—even with a convincing story—it’s likely a scam.

4. Meeting in Person

Before You Meet In Person:

If you think you’re ready to meet in person, we suggest a couple of phone calls or video chats prior to meeting face to face. You can tell a lot about a personal just from a few phone calls or video chats.

Choose a Public Location: 

Meet in a well-lit, busy public place like a coffee shop or restaurant. Avoid secluded areas.

Don’t meet at your home or a party.

Let Someone Know: 

Tell a trusted friend or family member where you’re going and who you’re meeting. Share their profile information and location details.

Drive Yourself: 

Arrange your own transportation to and from the date to maintain independence. Avoid accepting rides.

Stay Sober and Alert: 

Limit alcohol consumption to ensure you stay in control of your decisions.

5. Know When to Walk Away

Trust Your Gut: 

If something feels off during the date, excuse yourself and leave.

Pay attention to body language, how they speak and present themselves. 

If at any time you feel threatened, like something is “off”, unsafe, uncomfortable or in danger, leave immediately.

Alert an employee, staff or call 911 or the local authorities if you feel that you can’t safely leave.

Set Boundaries:

Don’t feel pressured into anything you’re uncomfortable with, whether it’s meeting sooner than you’d like or sharing personal details.

Additional Safety of our Community:

If you feel a member of this website is dangerous, not who they say they are, are a scammer, not safe, are threatening, a bad person, are lying to people, are asking for money or inappropriate things, please contact us and we will investigate them. We take this very seriously as we want this to be a safe and comfortable place for all of our members at all times. No exceptions.