How to Be Careful on Singles Web sites
- 1). Select a Web site that charges a reasonable fee for membership. The free sites generally don't do any sort of background check on their members. Anyone can sign up without providing a credit card or any other real identifying information. You have no way of really knowing who you're meeting online, and his idea of a good time might not be quite the same as yours.
- 2). Write your profile, then wait a day or so before you actually post it. Look it over and make sure you have not included any information a predator can use to track you down in person. You don't want to share anything too personal until you've actually met someone and developed a sense of trust. Ask a friend to read over what you've written for his opinion as to whether you are divulging too much. Never post photographs of your children, regardless of how important they are to you.
- 3). Doubt everything a new contact tells you, at least at first. Don't delude yourself into thinking that you're too smart to fall for a scam, like a married woman pretending to be single or who just wants to relieve you of your savings account. If you do encounter a scam artist, chances are that she is very good at what she does, has been doing it for awhile and is better at the game than you are. Take things slowly, get to know her through repeated emails and be alert for red flags.
- 4). Trust your instincts if you do detect a red flag. If an online correspondent gives you the feeling that there's something off about him, heed it and move on. Ask questions and be alert for inconsistencies in his answers. If you get a full name, there's also nothing wrong with checking him out through other sources, such as a phone book. You should also search his name online to see what you can find out. Double check what he says about himself as much as possible to make sure he is who he says he is.
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