Online Chat Safety: Enjoy the Chat, Skip the Scams
Join freeNatter checks ages, moderates the rooms, screens uploads and gives you instant blocking and reporting, and your own good habits cover the rest. Here's what protects you, how to spot a catfish or a romance scam, and what to do if something feels wrong.
What Natter does, and what's down to you
Natter is a chat site for adults (18+), and chatting here means talking to people you haven't met yet. The platform does a good deal of the watching for you: admins in the chat rooms, checks, screening and monitoring, all described below.
It can't do all of it. The member terms are plain that Natter doesn't run criminal background checks or check what members say about themselves, so a few habits of your own matter just as much as the tools. Good chat room safety is the two working together.
The checks and tools on your side
Some of these work quietly in the background; others are there for you to use whenever you need them. The features page has more on badges and checks.
Optional ID check
Any member can verify their ID at no charge, and a verified profile carries a badge.
For you: a badge is a good sign. The check is optional, so a missing badge doesn't make someone fake.
Video check with a moderator
A live check on camera with a moderator confirms someone is who they say, with no documents involved.
For you: a way to show you're genuine without handing over ID.
Age checks
Age is estimated automatically, with further checks where the law requires them.
For you: one more barrier keeping Natter for adults.
Usernames, not real names
Other members see your username. Your real name and email address stay off your public profile.
For you: it's much harder for someone to trace you on social media.
Your town, never your address
Your profile shows your nearest town or city, and never your address or where you are right now.
For you: your home stays private.
Instant blocking
Block anyone at any moment, and from then on they can't contact you or see you.
For you: you decide who gets to talk to you.
Reporting from inside the site
Report a member, or something they've posted, without leaving Natter.
For you: abuse reaches the people who can act on it, quickly.
Reputation score
Every member has a score built from their behaviour and from other members' one-click thumbs up or down.
For you: a quick read on someone before you start chatting.
Off-site warnings
When someone tries to move your chat to another messaging app, Natter spots it and shows a warning.
For you: an early alert about a common scam tactic.
Behaviour monitoring
Software watches for unusual patterns of activity that point to bots and scammers.
For you: fake and harmful accounts can be picked up early.
Upload screening
Photos, videos and text are checked by software and human reviewers as they're uploaded.
For you: content is looked at on the way in, and you can still report anything that slips past.
Blurred explicit images
An image that may be explicit arrives blurred, with a warning, until you choose to look.
For you: you decide what you see.
Help when you need it, and the standards behind it
Stuck or worried? Natter's support team is there by chat and messaging, day and night. The team also offers a staff review that can validate a profile without any documents.
Payments and personal data sit on PCI-compliant cloud hosting with SSL encryption, and the platform is involved with the Online Dating and Discovery Association, an industry body that promotes good practice on trust and safety.
You will see two trust marks on Natter:
How to spot a catfish or a romance scam
A catfish pretends to be someone else. A romance scammer does the same with a goal in mind: your money. Online dating scams come in many forms, but the warning signs overlap.
Love arrives at top speed
Big feelings within days, talk of a future together before you've met, pet names from the first chat.
They want to leave Natter early
Pushing you onto another messaging app takes the chat away from the warnings, blocking and reporting that protect you.
The story ends in cash
A stuck inheritance, a parcel held for fees, a sick relative, a ticket to come and see you. However it's dressed up, it ends with you sending money or gift cards.
You never see their face
Ask to see each other on camera before you meet, and the excuses start: a broken camera, a dodgy connection, a shyness that never lifts.
Photos fit for a magazine
Every picture looks like a professional shoot, with no ordinary snaps among them. Stolen photos often look that way.
Details that don't add up
Their age, job or home town shifts between chats, or simple questions about their day get dodged.
If you remember one thing, make it this: never send money or gift cards to someone you've only met online, whatever the reason and however long you've been chatting.
A Verified badge is a good sign, but it confirms who someone is, not what they intend. Trust how they behave.
What to do if something feels wrong
- Stop replying. You don't owe anyone an explanation.
- Block them. It takes effect straight away.
- Report them from their profile, so the team can look into it.
- Talk to support by chat or messaging, at any hour. You don't need to have it all worked out first.
- Sent money or bank details? Contact your bank straight away.
- A photo of you shared without your consent? Report it. Natter acts quickly on requests to take down content shared without consent.
If you ever feel you're in danger, contact the police.
Meeting someone from a chat, safely
When a chat has gone well and you'd both like to meet, a little planning lets you relax and enjoy it.
- If you can, see each other on camera first, so you know the face matches the photos.
- Meet somewhere busy and public, such as a café you know.
- Tell a friend where you're going, who with, and when you expect to be home.
- Get yourself there and back, rather than accepting a lift or being collected from home.
- Keep your drink in sight and your phone charged.
- Leave whenever you like. If anything feels off, you don't need a reason.
For a first conversation that flows, our how to chat guides can help.
Privacy settings worth a minute of your time
- Choose a username that gives nothing away, and photos that don't show your street, your car or your workplace.
- In your settings, you can turn down or switch off promotional emails and message notifications.
- VIP and VIP+ add Incognito, and the pricing page sets out what each plan includes.
- Keep chats on Natter until you're ready, so the off-site warnings and reporting still cover you.
Remember who can see you, too. Natter shares its members with a network of partner sites, so people who signed up elsewhere in the network can find your profile and send you messages, and you can do the same. Our about page explains more.
What does Natter expect of its members?
- Adults only
- Natter is strictly for people aged 18 and over.
- Genuine members, no selling
- Be yourself, and don't use Natter to sell or promote anything.
- Be kind
- Be courteous in rooms, messages and comments alike. Not interested in someone? Say so politely.
- Be tolerant
- No racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism or hate of any kind.
- Be safe
- Keep early chats on the site, never share bank details, and never send money or gift cards.
- Be discreet
- If you spot a member out and about, only approach them if they've told you that's fine.
- Respect boundaries
- No means move on, and always ask before sharing an image.
- Follow the law
- Nothing illegal, in messages or in anything you post.
Break them and the admins can step in, and serious or repeated abuse can cost someone their membership.
More safety tips in our guides
Chat safety questions
Is Natter safe to use?
Natter has admins in the rooms, upload screening, behaviour monitoring, instant blocking, reporting, and optional ID and video checks. Nobody can check everyone, though, so use the habits on this page as well.
Does Natter verify its members?
Only members who choose to be. The ID check is optional and adds a badge to your profile, age is estimated automatically, and Natter doesn't run criminal background checks.
How do I spot a catfish?
Look for photos that seem too polished, a story that changes, excuses whenever you suggest seeing each other on camera, and pressure to move the chat elsewhere.
What should I do if someone asks me for money?
Don't send it, whatever the reason. Stop replying, block them, report them from their profile, and if you've already paid, contact your bank.
Who can see my profile?
Members of Natter and of the partner sites in its network. Your real name, email address and home address are never shown on your profile.
Can I get help at night?
Yes. The support team answers by chat and messaging through the night as well as the day, so a worry at 3am needn't wait until morning.
When you're ready, come and say hello
Take your time over your profile, keep this page handy, and chat at your own pace.
Join free