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Community Safety Guidelines

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE: While Florence Finder facilitates connections, you are responsible for your own safety when interacting with others online or meeting in person.

We want Florence Finder to be a safe, welcoming space for everyone in Florence, SC. Whether you're purchasing an item from the Classifieds section, joining a Friend Finder interest group, or attending a local guide meetup, please follow these guidelines to protect yourself and others.

1. Meeting In Person

When meeting someone from the platform for the first time:

  • Always meet in public: Choose a busy, well-lit public space, such as a coffee shop, restaurant, or shopping center. Never meet at a private residence or secluded location.
  • Tell a friend: Inform a friend or family member where you are going, who you are meeting, and when you expect to return.
  • Bring a buddy: Whenever possible, bring a friend with you to the meeting.
  • Remain in public: Do not get into a stranger's vehicle or go to their home. Keep your meetings in public view.

2. Classifieds Trades & Transactions

For buying and selling items:

  • Inspect before paying: Always inspect the item thoroughly before handing over money.
  • Avoid wire transfers: Deal locally in cash or secure mobile payment methods (like Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal in person). Never send money in advance or wire funds.
  • Safe Exchange Zones: Many police departments offer designated "Safe Exchange Zones" in their parking lots for online marketplace transactions. Consider utilizing these spaces.

3. Friend Finder & Groups Safety

For participating in social groups:

  • Group settings first: Meet in group settings. Attend public events or organized meetups rather than one-on-one meetings when getting to know new group members.
  • Respect boundaries: Do not pressure others for personal details, phone numbers, or social media handles. Let relationships develop naturally.
  • Report suspicious behavior: If a user is acting inappropriately, sending harassing messages, or claiming false details, notify our moderation team immediately by reporting the group or utilizing our contact form.

4. Reporting Abuse

We moderate our listings and groups actively. If you experience harassment, spam, fraudulent listings, or unsafe behavior, please click the "Report" button on the listing or contact support at safety@florencefinder.com.