Taking Chances: Internet Dating Safety Tips

August 11th, 2010 by Pen Pal

About 120,000 marriages each and every year started with on the internet dating, that’s according to Online Dating Magazine in 2007. Meeting possible love matches on the internet is attracting much more and much more people. In the Pew Internet and American Life Project Report (released in March 2006), 31% of American adults have stated that they have utilized an on the internet dating service.

But on the internet dating is not without any risks. There are already numerous people who have fallen victims of on the internet scammers. Scammers would often enter legitimate websites and befriend people, gaining their trusts. Eventually, they would secure enough individual info for them to take advantage, ask for cash or worse steal your personality.

The on the internet dating websites may say that they are doing background checks on their members. Nevertheless, a background check can’t be performed that simply since you will find various laws about this in various states. This is one more reason why you should still be on guard when entering an on the internet dating website.

Whenever you are entering any on the internet dating websites, you will find some precautions which you would need to keep in mind.

• Choose a good and reputable on the internet dating website

It would be better to stick with paid on the internet dating services. Free of charge on the internet dating websites are easier to access, even by dangerous people. Be aware if a particular dating website has privacy policies. These policies ensure that your individual info is safe from spammers and hackers. Also, if the website looks disorganized and lacks accurate info, then it may be better to visit other websites.

• Avoid giving too much info.

Be cautious when talking or chatting in on the internet dating websites. Information like full name and house phone quantity could be utilized track your address and other individual info. Scammers, of course, would not ask for your social security quantity directly but you will find ways for them to find out.

You could use a free of charge e-mail account (Yahoo!, Hotmail or Gmail) which is various from your regular e-mail address. When giving out phone numbers, it’s safer to use your cell phone quantity or you could even have the calls in Skype or in Yahoo!. If a person makes you uncomfortable or you noticed some strange behaviour and inconsistencies, then you could stop communicating with the person.

• Take it slow

You do not need to be in a hurry when setting the very first meeting. Get to understand each other very first, via emails and calls. When communicating with emails, pay attention towards the content of their messages. Are they answering any questions or they just rant on about themselves? Scammers would usually create a standard e-mail which he may simultaneously use in various on the internet websites. One more warning sign is when you can’t get them within the other end from the phone line. The quantity may be unreachable or blocked by the cellphone user.

If a meeting is already arranged, make certain which you would be meeting in a public location. You could tell some friends that you are meeting the person and also provide the required details from the meeting. Preferably, drive or go towards the meeting location or location, alone. Avoid asking somebody or the date to pick you up and drop you off, they would know instantly where your house is.

There is no rush in on the internet dating. It’s essential to take your time and get to understand the person you are talking to. Do everything according to your own pace. Don’t be afraid to report suspicious users. Site administrators would be able to perform their duties well if they are correctly informed.

Additional Resources
True Romance Online