Pinpot Safety Tips

Pinpot’s instant meetup approach means you skip texting and calling and meet and hangout with people face-to-face right away. This unique structure can lead to exciting and spontaneous hangouts, but it also requires extra attention to safety since all interactions happen in person. By preparing well and following on-location best practices, you can enjoy Pinpot while staying safe.

Do Your Homework Before Meeting

Research and verify your match: Since you won’t chat before meeting, take a moment to review your match’s profile thoroughly. Check their photos and any bio information for consistency. If possible, do a quick online search or look for linked social media to ensure their story checks out (having mutual friends or a social presence can be a good sign of legitimacy). This helps you avoid getting “catfished” by a fake persona.
Trust your instincts when selecting meetups: If something about a profile or a meetup request feels off, err on the side of caution. You’re never obligated to accept a request. It’s okay to decline or ignore a meetup offer if the person gives you bad vibes or you notice red flags. Only agree to meet when you feel comfortable and confident about the individual.

Tell Someone Your Plans

Inform a friend or family member: Always let someone close to you know about your Pinpot meetup plans. Share details like when, where, and with whom you’re meeting. You can even send them a screenshot of your match’s profile and the venue details. This way, someone you trust knows where you’ll be.
Share your live location: Consider using your phone’s location sharing with a friend during the meetup. For example, you might share your live GPS location via text. Ask your friend to check in on you at a certain time to confirm you’re okay.
Keep your phone charged and accessible: Make sure your phone is fully charged before you go and keep it with you. A charged phone lets you quickly call for help or leave at a moment’s notice if needed. It also allows that friend you told to reach you to ensure you’re safe.

Be in Control of Your Transportation

Arrange your own ride: Plan how you’ll get to and from the meetup yourself. Drive your own car if you have one, or use a trusted ride-share or taxi service. The key is that you have the freedom to leave whenever you want. It’s smart to also have a backup transportation plan (for instance, a rideshare app ready, or a friend on call to pick you up) in case you need to exit quickly.
Don’t share rides on the first meetup: For the first few meetings, never agree to pick up the person who you meet or have them pick you up. Meeting at the venue is safer. Use your own transportation or go with a friend so you’re not dependent on someone you just met (and so they don’t learn your home address). By arriving and leaving on your own, you stay in control of your schedule and comfort.

Meet at a Public, Verified Venue

Stick to public places: Pinpot offers people to choose among the Google verified bars, cafes, or restaurants – these are public, populated locations. Always meet at the proposed venue and stay there for the entire meeting. Do not agree to switch to a different location, especially if it’s private or secluded. First hangouts should be in crowded, safe areas — never at someone’s home or any isolated spot. If someone tries to pressure you into going somewhere private or changing plans away from the agreed venue, stand your ground or end the meetup.
Stay in public view: While at the venue, remain in the main public area. Don’t allow the person who you are meeting to lead you to hidden corners or somewhere out of sight of others. Keeping visible in a public setting helps ensure help is nearby if you need it and deters any inappropriate behavior.

Stay Aware During the Meetup

Guard your personal information: In conversation, be cautious not to overshare personal details too soon. You can chat and be friendly, but you don’t need to give out sensitive info like your home address, where you work, or other private details on a first meeting. Such information can be shared later once you truly get to know the person.
Watch your drinks and belongings: If you’re at a cafe or bar, keep an eye on your drink at all times. Don’t leave beverages or food unattended, as unattended drinks could be tampered with. It’s perfectly okay to get a fresh drink if you’re unsure it’s safe. Also, hold on to your personal items – phone, wallet, purse, jacket – so they don’t get lost or give someone access to your personal information.
Know your limits with alcohol (or avoid it): Stay sober enough to remain in control. Alcohol can affect your judgment, so be mindful if you choose to drink. Never let anyone pressure you into drinking more than you’re comfortable with or into using drugs. If someone keeps insisting you have another drink or do something you’re uneasy about, it’s a big red flag – you can refuse and should consider ending the meetup if they won’t respect your boundaries.

Have an Exit Plan (Trust Your Instincts)

Trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to leave: Your safety is top priority. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or something just doesn’t feel right, you have every right to end the meetup early. You’re free to walk away at any time, and you shouldn’t worry about seeming rude in these situations – your well-being comes first. In any uneasy situation, remove yourself immediately rather than sticking it out.
Plan a polite exit strategy: It helps to have a pre-planned exit in case you need it. For example, you might arrange for a friend to call or text you midway through the meetup as a check-in; if you need an “excuse” to leave, you can use that call as a reason to go. You can also simply tell that you need to leave – no elaborate explanation is required.
Seek help if you feel unsafe: If you ever feel threatened or you’re unable to leave easily, look for people who can help. Staff at the venue can be allies – you can discreetly inform a bartender or waiter that you’re uncomfortable and need assistance. Many restaurants and bars are used to this and will help you exit safely or even call a taxi for you. If the situation is serious or you feel in danger, don’t hesitate to call emergency services immediately. Your life and safety are far more important than any potential awkwardness.

Use Pinpot’s Reporting and Blocking Features

Report bad actors: After the meetup (or even before, if something was off in the request or the profile of the user), report any user who behaved inappropriately or made you feel unsafe. Pinpot’s app has reporting tools – use them to alert the Pinpot team of any harassment, threatening behavior, stalking, or other misconduct. For instance, if the person you met disrespected your boundaries, tried to coerce you into something, asked you for money, or violated Pinpot’s rules, report them. Reporting helps prevent them from harming someone else and keeps the community safer.
Block users: If you decide you don’t want any further interaction with someone you met, use the block feature. Blocking will prevent them from sending you future meetup requests. The person you block won’t be notified, so you can do this quietly. Don’t second-guess yourself on this — if someone gave you a bad feeling or acted in a way that concerned you, it’s wise to block them and move on.
Trust Pinpot’s support: Pinpot’s team is there to help. If you encounter an incident, report it through the app and the support team can investigate and take appropriate action. In cases of immediate danger or an emergency, always contact the police first, but also later inform Pinpot so they are aware of the situation.

By following these safety tips, you can make the most of Pinpot’s instant meetups while staying secure. Preparation, public settings, personal awareness, and using the tools at your disposal will go a long way in ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable experience meeting new people. Stay safe and trust your judgment at every step.