Not Taking Chances: Internet Dating Safety
About 120,000 marriages every year started with online dating, that is according to Online Dating Magazine in 2007. Meeting feasible love matches online is attracting more and more individuals. In the Pew Web and American Life Project Report (released in March 2006), 31% of American adults have stated that they have used an online dating service.
But online dating isn’t without any risks. There are currently numerous individuals who have fallen victims of online scammers. Scammers would often enter legitimate websites and befriend individuals, gaining their trusts. Eventually, they would secure enough individual info for them to take advantage, ask for money or worse steal your personality.
The online dating websites may say that they are doing background checks on their members. However, a background check can’t be performed that simply since there are different laws about this in different states. This is one more reason why you should still be on guard when entering an online dating website.
Whenever you’re entering any online dating websites, there are some precautions which you would have to keep in mind.
• Select a good and reputable online dating website
It will be better to stick with paid online dating services. Free of charge online dating websites are simpler to access, even by dangerous individuals. 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 online dating websites. Info like full name and home phone number can be used track your address and other individual info. Scammers, of course, would not ask for your social security number directly but there are ways for them to discover out.
You could use a free e-mail account (Yahoo!, Hotmail or Gmail) which is different from your regular e-mail address. When giving out phone numbers, it’s safer to use your cell phone number 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 have to be in a hurry when setting the first meeting. Get to know each other 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 generally produce a standard e-mail which he may simultaneously use in different online websites. One more warning sign is whenever you can’t get them within the other end from the phone line. The number may be unreachable or blocked by the cellphone user.
If a meeting is currently arranged, make certain which you will be meeting in a public location. You could tell some friends that you’re meeting the person and also supply the necessary 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’s no rush in online dating. It’s essential to take your time and get to know the person you’re talking to. Do everything according to your own pace. Do not be afraid to report suspicious users. Website administrators will be able to perform their duties well if they are properly informed.
Additional Resources
True Romance Online
