Beware the Online Scammer
With more and more women looking for love and turning to online dating to search for their ‘ideal’ partner, it is always wise to protect yourself from potential danger.
There’s no shame in being extra cautious when searching online, because you have heard and read the stories of women who have been ghosted or left heartbroken and in financial ruin during this experience. You just need to keep your eyes open and be aware of potential threats.
So, here are 5 ways to stay safe when dating online:
1. Protect your personal information:
Don't share your full name, address, phone number, or other personal information until you feel comfortable with the person you are communicating with. Use the messaging tools provided by the dating site or app, and avoid using your personal details until you have established trust.
Free dating sites are good if you just want to test the waters. According to Phactual, 10% of profiles on free dating sites are fake and are the ideal place for scammers to find their prey. Check their grammar, spelling mistakes and lack of pictures – this is the first warning sign.
If you are serious about meeting a compatible person, on your level it might be advisable to buy a paid subscription from a trusted site or one recommended to you by a friend, colleague or family member. This shows proof of commitment and genuine intentions of the person connecting with you.
2. Trust your instincts:
If something seems off or uncomfortable, trust your instincts and end the conversation. Don't feel pressured to continue talking or meeting someone if you don't feel safe or relaxed.
Unfortunately, not everyone uses online dating for legitimate reasons. They may exaggerate their income, image or status. Some are already in a committed relationship or married so make sure you are asking the right questions.
Another sad statistic is the rising number of con artists who have duped their victims out of thousands and sometimes millions of their hard earned money and inheritances. If your match starts to ask for money, credit card number or a travel ticket – this is a red flag!
This may seem like common sense, but it pays to be wary!
3. Research your matches:
Before meeting someone in person, do your research. Look up their name online, check their social media profiles and do a background check if possible. Sadly, sex offenders, rapists and predators use online dating to find their victims.
Researching you date can help you verify their identity and ensure they don't have a criminal history or will put you in danger. Google is the perfect first step to ensure that his profile matches what they say. LinkedIn is great to find out if he really is that high flyer in business that he claims to be. You can also follow this up with Facebook and Instagram posts to check if there are no skeletons in the closet.
4. Meet in a public place:
You have been communicating for a while and have agreed to meet in person. Step one, always meet in a public place for the first few meetings. This can help you feel safe and comfortable, and give you the opportunity to get to know the person better before meeting in private.
Step two, it’s important to let a friend or family member know where you are going and who you are meeting. Arrange to check in with them during the date, and let them know when you have arrived home safely.
5. Block and report suspicious members:
Don’t hesitate to block an abusive user from accessing your profile or worse still having the ability to continuously harass you. This is still abuse and you don't deserve it.
By reporting this person and in some cases having them deactivated from the site, you could be saving another woman from this unscrupulous match.
In closing, online dating does have its pros and cons and can be quite daunting for some women, but don’t let that put you off. By putting in precautions for staying safe when dating online you should be fine. Don’t take their information at face value. Do your research because this will inform your actions and decisions online.
Ladies, all it requires is a combination of caution, research and common sense. By taking these steps, you can increase your chances of having a safe and rewarding dating experience.
Stay safe out there.
Did you find this post useful? What additional advice would you share to keep women dating safely online in the comments section below.
