First, have face time with that person you are going to meet. Before you meet, you should arrange a face time meeting beforehand. Just to make sure that person is who is showed on the profile. This is very important, because many scammers might use the photo of another person to trick you.
Second, update your location to your friends or family. Before you meet that person, tell someone you trust about the place where you are going. If you re going to switch places, update to them in time. For example, where you are going for dinner? Where you are going for movie? If you are going to his apartment, where is it? You not only need to update your location, you should also report your safety from time to time. When it comes to safety, it can never be too cautious.
Third, meet at public places in your first one night dating. Do not go to hotels in your first date and choose a public place to meet, like a restaurant, or a movie theater. If he proposed to go to a hotel, you should be the one to choose. Try to choose one that is located in the downtown area or a hotel you are familiar with. Do not agree to go to his apartment unless you are sure about him.
If you invite him/her to your apartment, make sure to hide all the valuable things. You don’t know the person very well, you may not even know where he lives and where he works, you shouldn’t trust him not lifting your jewelries and other stuff.
Always trust your instinct. Sometimes, your mind may not work as good as your instinct. After all, that is what instinct are for. If you don’t feel safe nor comfortable with that person, don’t go further.
Hooking up with someone online can be very effective and simple, but never rely on it. Hookup app is not supposed to be a lifestyle. Communication in real life can be way more meaningful and fun.