Safety tips of Online Dating

Although an Online Dating service protect your identity such as your personal details and is known to be safe because you do not meet the other person personally, there are still some hidden dangers that should be avoided by using the tools provided to block any suspicious character online.

Here, I have listed below some of the safety tips that i feel may be useful for you.

• Anonymity: When you are using an Online Dating service, do not provide any personal information and details such as real name, address, contact details, credit card number and so on in your personal profile. Online dating service does not require any of these details and there is no reason why any other person should obtain all these information and details.

• Be aware of anyone who presses for information: Most online dating sites only focus on your personal traits, interest, values and such. Usually, online dating sites would only require information that will be of interest to another person in order for you to find "the one" but if someone asks you for specific details such as your exact location, complete address, your working or studying place, then you should be immediately cautious of this person as they are asking information about you that are not relevant.

• Keep it vague: You do not have to tell everything about yourself in detail when you are communicating with the other member on an online dating service. For example, you can tell someone that you work in a florist shop every morning which is totally fine but telling them that which place you work at, from what time to what time, which days, and that you live just behind the florist shop is really not necessary.

• Take your time: Go slowly. Take your time in getting to know the other person you are talking to, there is no need to rush. If you feel the person you are talking to is such a gem or too good to be true, then maybe they probably are. As time goes by, you will be able to spot any irregularity and soon realise that it does not fit.

• Follow your instinct: While communicating, if you feel bored or you want to attend to another member, do not hesitate to do so. Your instinct may just be right. Online dating services have a big advantage as the sites allow you to block other member(s) whom you are not comfortable or reluctant to communicate with.

• Report bad apples: You should report immediately any inappropriate behaviour that you feel threatened to the Online Dating services to help other members as well.

• Choose a well established dating site: Lastly, choose a well-established website or that is popular among your friends. This will make you more confident to use a website that is known to others than to choose one that is totally strange to you.
  

I hope these safety tips have been helpful to you.

Reference resources found at http://www.datingmuse.com/[HTML online], retrieved 19th January 2009.
URL: http://www.datingmuse.com/online-dating-tips-and-advice/online-dating-safety-tips/