Chatting with strangers online can be exciting. New acquaintances, interesting conversations, and the opportunity to meet people from different parts of the world. Sounds cool, right?
But there is one caveat. Not everyone you meet online has good intentions. Some people specifically look for those who are too open and trusting. If you accidentally reveal something unnecessary, it can turn into serious problems.
So let’s talk about personal info in online chat rooms and what is best to keep to yourself.
Why should you be careful at all?
When you're chatting in a video or text chat, everything seems safe. You're just talking. But the information you share can be collected and later used against you.
Scammers can be very patient. They may spend weeks building a fake friendship until they get what they want — and then disappear or start blackmailing.
Online chat safety starts with one simple understanding: not everyone deserves your trust from the first minute.
Full name: the first step to your identification
Your full name may seem harmless, but it's a key to many doors.
With your first and last name, someone can find your social media profiles, workplace, family photos, and even your address through public databases.
Use a nickname instead. This is a basic rule of what not to share in online chats and allows you to communicate without unnecessary risk.
Address and location: keep it to yourself
Never tell strangers where you live — not even approximately.
Saying your city or country is usually fine. Sharing street names, landmarks, or exact areas is not.
This information can be used for stalking, planning theft, or making scam stories more convincing.
Protecting your privacy online starts with keeping your location vague.
Phone number: an open door for spam
A phone number may seem harmless, but it can quickly become a problem.
Scammers can spam you, impersonate banks, add you to messengers, or use your number to verify fake accounts.
If you want to continue communication outside the chat, use a separate email or a messenger that does not require sharing your phone number.
Social networks: a window into your life
"Add me on Instagram!" sounds innocent, but social networks contain a lot of personal information.
Photos with geolocation, names of friends and relatives, workplaces, routines, and favorite places create a detailed picture of your life.
Share social profiles only after building trust, and make sure your accounts are private.
Bank details: red line
Never share card numbers, CVV codes, or online banking credentials.
Requests involving gifts, transfers, or investments are classic scam tactics.
Any conversation about money with a stranger should immediately trigger alarm bells.
Documents: your identity is at risk
Passport details, tax identification numbers, and driver’s license data are extremely valuable to scammers.
With this information, criminals can take loans, register fake companies, or perform illegal transactions in your name.
No one in a chat room has the right to ask for such documents. If they do, it is fraud.
Photos: more information than meets the eye
A single selfie can reveal a lot — background details, reflections, and even GPS metadata.
Avoid photos with documents, recognizable locations, or anything that could be used for blackmail. Turn off camera geolocation.
Once you send a photo, you lose control over where it may end up.
Work and study: less details
Sharing your field of work is enough. Avoid naming exact companies, addresses, or schedules.
The same applies to studies — general information is fine, precise locations are not.
Passwords: obvious, but worth remembering
Never share passwords for games, apps, or accounts — without exceptions.
Social engineering scams often sound helpful but lead to account theft.
Health information: a private territory
Health details can be used for emotional manipulation or selling fake treatments.
This information is deeply personal and should not be shared with strangers.
How to Chat Safely?
There are plenty of safe topics to enjoy: music, movies, TV shows, hobbies, games, memes, and travel dreams.
Talk freely, but skip specific personal details like exact addresses or phone numbers.
Online chatting can be fun and safe at the same time — just pause for a second before sharing.
Meet New People Safely on OMGFun
If you want to meet new people without unnecessary risks, OMGFun offers free video chats with random users from around the world.
No long forms, no pressure. Just click, start chatting, and skip conversations that don’t feel right.
Now that you know what to keep private, head over to OMGFun and enjoy safe, relaxed conversations with new people.
