subject: How To Stay Safe When Online Dating [print this page] Internet dating can be a great way of chatting to and meeting lots of people. The biggest worry most people have when they consider dating online, is that they will end up disappointed, having not met the love of their life; or that they'll just end up with unrequited affection.
However, there are other dangers much more perilous than a broken heart and if you are considering online dating, you need to be aware of them in order to stay safe.
1. Protecting your privacy
The internet is typically quite informal but don't get too casual about personal details.
You must protect your privacy and not give personal details to anyone you don't know. Once you have spoken to someone a few times and feel comfortable with them, you may want to share your phone number with them so that you can talk to them first before meeting face-to-face. Don't be pressured into giving out details though. This is particularly important on your dating 'profile' and your ID, which should not be your real name.
Your contact details shouldn't be anywhere public - you wouldn't walk around with your phone number or email address on display so avoid it completely online too. To be really safe, you could set up a separate email without using your name in the address. Free email accounts can be set up with Hotmail and Yahoo very easily.
2. Be selective
There are some fraudsters out there who pray on internet dating sites and their subscribers. If you are not sure about someone, then don't meet them. Look out for any inconsistencies in what they say which could point to someone lying.
Likewise, ignore anyone who refuses to provide a picture of themselves or who will not talk to you over the phone before meeting.
3. Protecting your personal safety
Always arrange to meet only after speaking to someone first, either over the phone or through a webcam. You can withhold your phone number when you call or use Skype to protect your personal phone number.
When you meet, make sure it is somewhere public. Never agree to meet someone for the first time at a residential address or let them pick you up in a car.
Ensure that you inform a friend or family member about when and where you are meeting and agree a time that you will be back. Of course, remember to call them if you will be back later than you agreed, or they may start to worry! For an extra level of protection, you could have a friend secretly sit a few seats away from you to check everything is ok.
Don't drink too much on a first date, so that you can stay alert and react to any danger. Likewise, never leave your food or drink unattended. In case of an emergency, you'll want to be able to contact the police or a friend so take your mobile phone with you on the date.
by: Graham Worrall
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