Staying Safe – The World of Online Dating
Dating online is becoming even more quick and simple. Signing up to a dating service only takes a few minutes, and then immediately you have to include a profile about yourself. That’s a lot of information to give away in such a short space of time. So how do we keep ourselves safe online?
What should you tell someone about yourself? My rule is, anything you wouldn’t tell a stranger in a bar, don’t tell them online. Just because you aren’t seeing someone face to face doesn’t make it safe to start giving away information about yourself. You should be very careful about even giving away your last name.
You also need to be very careful about giving away your bank account details. Although a lot of sites require payment, check out their reputation and what data protection and safety they offer.
If your internet dating turns into meeting someone face to face, use common sense. Let friends or family know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Always arrange to meet in a public place. It sounds silly, but a lot of people get caught up in the romance whirlwind or think that because they’ve been dating online they already know each other. This isn’t usually the case, so always err on the side of caution.
This information meant to scare people, but they are points to keep in mind. On the other hand, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have fun and enjoy the experience offered by a dating service. Just be sensible and keep safe.
