Online Dating Safety Tips

Online dating has ballooned in popularity in recent years, but it's always remember to adhere to a few safety tips no matter what. Meeting strangers on the vast expanses of the internet always has its risks, so why should you end up throwing it all away for somebody you barely know, much less have never met once in your life before? There is always that possibility it will work out, but you need to be safe just in case.

Whether you are lurking online for a quick fling, or even your soul mate, keep your personal credentials and safety on the top of your priority list. On top of good judgment and a keen eye, looking out for number one will also make sure your experience with various dating sites is a good experience. Be safe when meeting new people for the first time, both in the online and real world, and you might end up with the person you have always been searching for.

Sensitive Personal Information

Dating sites are the perfect guise for unscrupulous characters looking to take you for all you're worth. While they certainly aren't filled to the brim with thieves, there are plenty of people out there willing to take advantage of your desire to be with somebody in order to play you for a sucker, whether for money or for their own enjoyment.

Because of this, you should always keep your cards close to your chest, so to speak. Sharing your personal information should be done only to a limited extent, and should not be openly communicated through your personal profile at all costs. When you think you should divulge your personal information to somebody who seems deserving, consider the following:

• Be cautious when you or the person you are communicating with online wants any revealing personal information. Your identity should always be protected, so try to lean more towards discreet meetups.
• Don't include information like your last name, home address, phone numbers or other information that identifies you too much. These can be used against you by unscrupulous characters.
• Prevent or cut off all communication when somebody online pressures you into divulging sensitive information about yourself. Contact a moderator or site admin if something like this persists.
• Sometimes, creating a whole new e-mail address to manage your dating websites can be a good idea. Linking an e-mail you use for personal or business use often can get a little hairy, and sometimes awkward, when you manage your e-mails in public.
• A user who requests money, bank account numbers, or other information regarding your finances should raise a red flag immediately. Do not communicate with people like this.
• Get to know a person well enough through online messaging before deciding to meet up. Use your instincts, and a bit of your own research, to help you determine whether a person is genuine enough.
• Users who constantly go on about “fate” or “destiny” should also raise suspicions; put a little distance between you and these kinds of people.
• Should you feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or even just downright apprehensive about a person who is trying to contact you, then just stop communicating.

It's always important to do your own research when browsing user profiles. Anybody who is able to commit online crimes such as identity theft can easily fake an online profile, especially on dating sites that don't routinely screen members. Conducting your own research will go a long way towards making sure you and your personal information are safe.

Meeting for the First Time

If you have been successful when chatting up a person on an online dating service, then you might have already scheduled an in-person date. That's all well and good, but be sure you are still safe; things can still go wrong, even when you finally have the chance to meet this person. Here are a couple of tips to help you out:

• Get to the meeting place yourself. Having a random stranger you meet on the internet pick you up can be kind of risky when you think about it!
• Meet up in a public place, where crowds of people constantly populate the area. It might be harder for you to pick out your date from the crowd, but it will prevent an unscrupulous character from trying anything bad.
• Let somebody else know where you are going, like a friend or family member, just in case of an emergency. Set a period of time with this person, so if you do not return in by the time you set, your loved one will know something is wrong.
• Watch out for your personal belongings before, during, and after a date. Don't leave them unattended with your date, unless you are somehow absolutely sure this person is trustworthy.
• Be yourself. You should be much more concerned about your personal safety than what your dater thinks what kind of person you are, until things do get serious.

Remaining a little cautious throughout your dating experience should help you get the most out of what the internet has to offer. At times, it can be filled with many unscrupulous, dishonest, and downright irritating users, but not always. If you are able to take some online dating tips to heart, you might find yourself with that special somebody you have been looking for all this time.