Meeting people online can be dangerous...unless you know how to play it safe.
Internet dating services are some of the biggest online businesses today, with millions of men and women around the country using the sites to create profiles which include pictures, biographical information, information on personal tastes, and contact info.
The websites do make it easy to "search" for a match based on these profiles. However, pictures can be misleading, and none of these services conduct any background checks to verify the information provided by their subscribers or check for a criminal record.
In the wake of the Craigslist killer arrest--both of them--the safety of relationships started online is coming under a lot of scrutiny.
In the meantime, online dating services continue to thrive. Here are some tips on how to safely use online dating services and what to watch out for when making a date:
(1) Never post personal contact information on your profile.
Most of the initial contact on the major internet dating service websites is anonymous. The e-mail is sent through a network that is set up by the company, and even telephone numbers can be blocked by the company's call service. If you are on a site where it is possible to post personal contact information on your profile, don't. You don't want everyone to know where to find you; just the person you want to date.
(2) Remain anonymous until you feel like you want to reveal your name.
The major dating service websites have their subscribers use "usernames" on their profiles instead of their real names. This is also for your safety. Don't feel like you have to tell the other person your name right away. You can sign your e-mail "Dallaschic09" for as long as you want. (On that note, don't pick an overly sexy name. It has been proven that people with usernames with obvious sexual overtones attract lots of unwanted attention.)
(3) Call the person before you meet them.
You can tell a lot about a person over the phone that you can't tell over the internet. Call them through the service provided by the internet dating company, so that your phone number remains blocked.
(4) Meet in a public place during the day.
Do not meet at a hotel room, at your house or at the other person's house on the first date. This may sound obvious, but if you read the news, evidently it's not. Do not arrange for the person to pick you up at your house on the first date. Meet for coffee or lunch instead of for a beer or dinner. And -
(5) Tell a friend you are going to meet this person.
Make sure that someone knows that you are going on your date with "UofOfan27." Tell your friend where you are going, about how long you think the date will last, and make sure to have your phone with you.
Most importantly: trust your gut. If something seems off, it's time to go. Don't worry about hurting feelings or bruising egos. If you are not comfortable with the person, they seem creepy, or just "not right," date's over.