You have probably seen a few of these human interest stories on your local news where
two people try online dating, start chatting it up, take their relationship to the real world and next thing you know they have tied the knot. The fact that these types of stories are becoming more common shows you how far online dating has progressed.
In the early days no one thought twice about trying something like online dating. That was the sign of the truly desperate and you faced ridicule and scorn if it was discovered that you had dared to even consider it. There's still a stigma but not like before. Jupiter Research calculates that by the end of this year twelve billion people will join an online dating site. This comes as the industry is poised to sail well past the billion dollar mark in total revenue earning.
But unfortunately it's not all gravy for more than a few online dating participants. As dating online is becoming more common so are the number of reports that people are getting swindled by the same grifters who existed offline as well as some people with darker motives other than stealing your money.
You hope so but you have no way of knowing whether the person you are chatting with can be trusted. So it is important that you watch out for some red flags.
1. Let's Meet Right Now
You really hit it off with the other person but you just met them. The next time you chat they become quite insistent that the two of you get together. You tell them thanks but no thanks. They let it drop until the next time you go online to chat with them. Now they start the same old son over again with a little bit more volume. When that happens, it would be a good idea to drop them as one of your contacts. Their insistence says they are either desperate, needy or something a little more sinister.
2. Inconsistent
They tell you one thing and then somewhere down the line they tell you something completely different. It's not a huge lie but you definitely notice the discrepancy. You don't necessarily have to drop them right away but you do want to see if this is a pattern. If it is look out.
3. The Money Shot
They will sweet talk you and push all the right buttons. Then comes the question. Could you help them out with some cash? They hate to ask but things are really rough for them right now and you are the only one they can turn to. It will be some variation of that line but the end result is they want money from you. That's when you should cease all contact and report them to the online agency you signed up with.