1. Before meeting
Exchange in writing first, in the site's messaging. Someone who refuses any prior exchange and pushes to move immediately to a private channel is a signal.
Agree the duration, the place and the rate in advance. A disagreement on those is easier to settle before than after.
Be wary of any deposit requested by instant transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency: those are the methods nothing is recovered from.
2. Tell someone
Tell someone you trust where you are going, with whom, and for how long. Agree on a message to send on arrival and another on leaving.
Agree as well on an ordinary-sounding word or phrase meaning you need help, and on what your contact should do if it arrives — or if nothing does.
3. While you are there
Keep your phone charged and within reach. Note the exit on arrival.
You can end a meeting at any moment, without justifying it. A refusal is not something to be negotiated.
Do not hand your documents or your phone to anyone, whatever reason is given.
4. Protecting your identity
Use a dedicated number rather than your personal line.
Check what your photographs show in the background: a street sign, a view through a window or a letter is enough to locate a home. Metadata itself is stripped automatically on upload.
Never put a precise address in a listing. The district is enough to be found.
5. Reporting a problem
Report any listing that looks fraudulent, stolen, or that concerns someone under coercion. Reporting needs no account; the address a report comes from is kept to limit abuse.
If you are assaulted, contact emergency services. Keep the exchanges: they are useful evidence.