Stay safe while you get to know someone

While you chat

• Keep the conversation on Ishtam until you trust the person. Your phone number and email are never shown on your profile.
• Never send money, gift cards, bank details or one-time passwords to someone you met online, whatever the reason given.
• Be careful with photos and details that reveal where you live or work.
• Be wary of anyone who avoids video calls, pushes to move fast, or whose story keeps changing.

Before you meet

• Have a video call first. It is the simplest way to confirm someone is who they say they are.
• Tell a friend or family member who you are meeting, where, and when you expect to be back.
• Meet in a busy public place such as a cafe or a mall, and arrange your own transport both ways.

On the date

• Keep your phone charged and your drink and belongings with you.
• You can leave at any point. You do not owe anyone an explanation.

Block and report

You can block or report anyone from their profile or from your chat. Blocking is immediate and the other person is not told. Our moderation team reviews every report and can warn, suspend or remove accounts.

Report someone if they ask for money, harass or threaten you, send unwanted sexual content, appear to be under 18, or use a fake identity.

In an emergency

If you are in immediate danger, call 112 (India's emergency number). For women in distress the national helpline is 181, and cybercrime can be reported on 1930.

Our rules

Ishtam is for adults aged 18 and over. Harassment, hate speech, sexual content sent without consent, scams and impersonation are not allowed. See the Terms and Conditions for the full rules, or contact us with a safety concern.