Staying Safe

1. Always Use Your Best Judgment
2. NEVER Share Financial Information or Certain Personal Information
3. Be Cautious When Sharing Personal Information
4. Do Your Own Research
5. Take Your Time
6. Make Your First Meeting Safe and Successful
7. Always be Respectful and Kind

Finding a good homeshare match is not only possible, but likely. We believe in empowering you to make the best choices by providing guidance and support.

As with anyone you meet - online or offline - your sound judgment and instincts are necessary to protect yourself. There is no substitution for acting with caution when communicating with someone you are just getting to know. Here are some essential 'rules-of-the-road' for safely navigating any relationship, but especially one that begins online.

1. Always Use Your Best Judgment

As with any personal interaction, keep in mind it is always possible for people to misrepresent themselves. Assessing a match's truthfulness and honesty is ultimately your responsibility. Don't ignore any facts that seem inconsistent or "off." Trust your instincts and remember that you have control over the situation. If you're talking to someone online or by phone and they say things that raise your suspicions, consider ending the conversation. If you meet someone in person and you feel uncomfortable, leave.

Also, be aware of these common red flags when you're getting to know someone new. Watch out for anyone who:

• Claims to be from the U.S. but is currently living, working, or traveling abroad.
• Asks for money, goods or any similar type of assistance, especially if you have never met in person.
• Asks you to assist with personal transactions (depositing funds, shipping merchandise, etc).
• Wants the relationship to progress faster than you are comfortable going.
• Reports a sudden personal crisis and pressures you to provide financial assistance. Be especially wary if the person's demands become increasingly aggressive.
• Asks inappropriate questions.
• Requests your home or work address before you have decided you are comfortable enough to have the person visit you.
• Tells inconsistent or grandiose stories.
• Gives vague answers to specific questions.
• Urges you to compromise your principles.
• Constantly blames others for troubles in his or her life.
• Insists on getting overly close, very fast.

2. NEVER Share Financial Information or Certain Personal Information

• NEVER give out your credit card number or bank information.
• NEVER share your Social Security Number, mother's maiden name, or other private information that can be used to access your financial information.
• NEVER send money to someone you meet online, especially by wire transfer. Immediately stop communicating with anyone who pressures you for personal or financial information or attempts in any way to trick you into revealing it.

Immediately stop communicating with anyone who pressures you for personal or financial information or attempts in any way to trick you into revealing it.

3. Be Cautious When Sharing Personal Information

We strongly encourage you to be cautious when sharing personal information that could reveal your identity. Never include your last name, home address, place of work or any other identifying information in your ad or initial email messages. Take advantage of Craigslist's anonymous email function that allows people to email you without knowing your email. When you write back, however, the person will know your email. If your email reveals your full name, consider getting an additional email address that does not.  Once you've given out personal information, you cannot take it back! We encourage you to get to know a match well via email before phone, and phone before meeting in person. For added security, try using your phone's privacy features when you call, like private number blocking. When you dial *67 from a cell phone dialing a number the person at the other end will not be told your phone number. Typically email conversations are more about impersonal dealbreakers: pets, drugs, size of space, basic location and other facilities. A phone conversation is a good time to see how you feel interacting with the person. After a good phone conversation you can ask the person's last name so you can do a little research on each other before deciding to meet.

4. Do Your Own Research

Regardless of the connection you feel with any of your matches, we encourage you to do your own research before meeting in person. This can include typing your match's name into a search engine, contacting your state or local municipalities to obtain public information, or using a paid service to obtain a full background report. Above all else, use common sense. Pay attention to the details someone shares with you. If you find anything that doesn't seem to add up, follow your intuition and stop communicating with that person. Once you've had a good phone conversation with someone, it's OK to ask for their name and see if you know anyone in common through LinkedIn or Facebook - friends in common can be good references and provide peace of mind.

5. Take Your Time

While online communication can accelerate one's sense of comfort and intimacy, we can't stress enough how important it is for you to take your time getting to know your match. The more conversation and experiences you share, the better your chances of avoiding hidden and sometimes unpleasant surprises. So allow time for a variety of experiences to occur, particularly your everyday routines. Move slowly and pay attention to the reality of your new relationship.

6. Make Your First Meeting Safe and Successful

Do:

• Meet in a public place during the day when lots of people will be around.
• Limit alcohol consumption or abstain entirely until you know the person better.
• Use your own transportation, even when meeting someone who lives a great distance away from you. Never agree to be picked up at your home. It's never a good idea to get into someone's personal vehicle when you first meet someone.
• Tell at least one friend or family member about your plans and when you will return.
• Carry a fully charged mobile phone with easily accessible emergency numbers.
• If you feel comfortable having someone visit your house, consider having a friend or family member come with you.

Don't:

• Leave unattended personal belongings such as purses, wallets, or jackets with pockets that may contain items that could reveal personal information about you, such as a driver's license, credit cards and ATM receipts.
• Meet at your house or place of work or share that information until you have had a good opportunity to know the other person better.

7. Always be Respectful and Kind

Always be respectful and treat potential housemates as you would want them to treat you. Not every person is going to be a good match so ending communication with someone is a natural and healthy part of the process. You need to carefully consider whether this particular person would be a good match. If you feel the need to end communication, then be honest, direct and polite. The sooner you communicate this, the better for both of you.

If a potential housemate feels the need to end communication with you, please respect their wishes.

Revised Januarty 2013