If you are lonely and looking for love you have probably considered online dating.
Like most of us you are understandably worried about your safety and have even asked yourself if it’s really possible to find SAFE online dating services?
There are simply hundreds of online dating services designed to attract your sign-up in the hopes of meeting Mr. or Miss Right. If you are wondering how to find safe online dating services bear in mind that there probably isn’t one who can guarantee your safety 100%.
We have all heard the horror stories of betrayal, fraud and even violence involved in internet dating. The truth is, the world can be a dangerous place and even more so under the relative anonymity of the World Wide Web. Cyberspace is riddled with unscrupulous individuals who prey on the naïve and unsuspecting individual and it is only sensible to take precautions.
In defense of online dating, it just isn’t possible to effectively screen millions of people and be sure that they aren’t con artists or scammers. The safety of the dating service you use is really in your own hands.
The following pages contain some handy tips to make sure you aren’t wronged by the Mr. or Miss Right that you find through online dating or matchmaking services.
Safety Tips for Online Dating Services
* Fill out your registration honestly. This acts as a screening process that may warn off potential predators and indicate to them that you are a savvy internet user and won’t be duped.
* Sign up under an anonymous handle – never sign up with an online dating service that doesn’t provide for this. You can find safe online dating services through personal referrals or the better business bureau but even if you feel secure never divulge your real name immediately.
* Ask and answer questions honestly. By doing so, you reveal your true self and may give a potential predator the signal that you are not willing to compromise your principles for any reason.
* When e-mails become a little impersonal ask her or him to call. You can tell a lot by the tone of someone’s voice-but be warned there are some really good actors out there! Use a cell phone number not your home telephone!
* Never give out personal information such as your home address until you are reasonably sure you want to continue to see the person.
* If you decide to arrange a meeting always do so in a well-lit, safe location with plenty of help available should you need it. This is especially important for a first meeting and may be so for subsequent ones – at least till you feel sure they can be trusted.
Tell at least two people where you are going, when you will be home and give them the person’s name and a description or photograph. Never allow the person to pick you up at home or work – meet them there and stay in your first location.
Safe online dating services should always offer help and guidance for safe online meetings. If there are no such warnings attached to the site, find another one. Safe online dating services should always tell you to be careful in your search for a new mate.
Quick Tips For Safe Online Dating
* Take your time getting to know somebody.
* Meet online anonymously.
* Chat online and exchange e-mails about likes and dislikes, goals and dreams. Always be careful of not divuging too much personal information too soon.
* Call him or her only if you are sure this is somebody you want to get to know better.
Red Flags for Online Dating Services
* The person is difficult to pin down and answers to simple questions are vague for example they may say ‘It doesn’t matter’ when asked how old they are or what they do for a living. Safe online dating services always advise you to answer questions honestly.
* The person doesn’t follow-up or seems unreliable. They don’t keep promises or respond in the way they said they would.
* An inconsistent writing style is a warning sign. Letters that seem up and down could indicate an unstable personality or even that the e-mails are being written by more than one person using an alias.
* Does he or she hesitate to exchange pictures? This may indicate momentary insecurity but if it continues and still no image has been revealed ask yourself why this individual doesn’t want you to know what he or she looks like. Safe online dating services encourage the sharing of recent pictures.
* Does the person only e-mail late at night and are the messages cryptic? Communication should be open and direct. Do bear in mind that there are different time zones globally so that may be the reason e-mails are received at odd hours.
* If your match is too quick to say ‘I love you’ or wants to meet you when you barely know each other, be wary.
You can find safe online dating services easily via the internet – lets face it advertisements offering ‘true love’ are everywhere.
Most offer security by allowing you to use a fake name and encouraging you to be cautious about who you make contact with. However in the end, a dating service is only as safe as the individuals who use it so it’s really up to you.
Beware of dating services that promise a quick fix to your relationship problems (it just isn’t realistic) and go for a safe online dating service that offers a secure environment in which to meet people. It may change your life but make sure that you act responsibly and don’t turn into a internet dating horror story!