How to ask without making it weird
- "Want to do a quick video call this week? I like to make sure there's a vibe before I get dressed up."
- "I always do a two-minute FaceTime before meeting someone from an app. When works?"
Most dating apps have built-in video calling, so you do not have to share your number first.
Check their name before the call
Private search. They are never notified.
What to look for on the call
- They look like their photos, allowing for normal differences in lighting and age.
- They respond naturally to what you say, with normal lag.
- Their surroundings match their story (an apartment, not a call center).
Spotting fake or pre-recorded video
Some scammers now play looped clips or use real-time face-swapping. Ask them to do something unplanned: turn their head fully to the side, wave a hand slowly across their face, or hold up a number of fingers you choose. Face-swaps often glitch at the edges of the face and around hands. A "camera that only works for 10 seconds" is a red flag.