Online Dating Safety Tips - Individual Online Dating Pros and Cons

According to CBC Nova Scotia, Halifax Regional Police are reminding those who use online dating sites to exercise caution when arranging to meet someone in person they know little about, regardless of the free online dating service they use. 

Halifax Police are warning gay men to be cautious about who they meet online after two recent robberies. 

Investigators believe the incidents are connected, that the person the victim picks up is working with the other suspects and that they appear to be targeting gay men through the free online dating website PlentyOfFish.

Constable Palmeter said police believe there are more victims.  Gay men are reporting that they've heard through the grape vine that this happens all the time, across the country.

"We're concerned that there may be other incidents and that people may be reluctant to come forward, so we've reached out to the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Group which represents the gay, lesbian bi-sexual and transgendered community in hopes that if there are other victims out there, we can arrange a safe and delicate way for them to report these incidents to investigators," said Palmeter.

Police are also suggesting people select a well-lit, public location for the meeting where there are a lot of people around. If possible, they should tell a friend or family member where they are going, with whom and when they'll be back.

Todd Hannam met a man on the website in July. The man stayed the night, but started behaving suspiciously as Hannam got ready for the day the next morning.

"He hollered to me that he was going out to get something from the car. I was kind of timid about that so I got out of the bath right away and went to the secret place where I have money," Hannam said. "There was $160 missing from the money and he was gone."

Hannam didn't report it to police because he thought his case would be hard to prove. The Halifax man said he hopes by sharing his story, he can spare someone else a bad experience.

When the Halifax Regional Police gave the warning that a group of robbers using "an online dating site called PlentyofFish to target gay men," some owners of free dating sites were outraged.

Constable Palmeter said police took the "unusual step" of naming the website since it was also a common link between the cases, but he urged people using similar sites "to be equally careful."

What sites are safe to use?

The fact is -- we must be careful about who we talk to, meet and date, no matter how we meet them.  The victims of most incidents of date rape, for instance, knew their attacker, or were introduced to him by friends.

Free sites are a legitimate way to meet local men and women -- if you are cautious...

If you are seeking more than a casual date, especially a Bride -- then it is imperative that you pick a SECURE Site!

You must pay to join such sites.  And extra services will cost more.  But the resultant Security is worth it.  For instance, top sites like Anastasia do complete background checks on their female members...

==>>  The 10 Best Dating Sites - Finding Sex, Romance or Lifelong Love Online  

Our mission statement at WUVING from the very beginning was to bring to people the very best in expert relationship advice and in dating services.

With the help of some of the most savvy relationship experts around, we believe that we have accomplished just that.

We have been able to recommend the most popular, user-friendly and SAFEST sites to our visitors.  And here they are - the 10 Best Dating Sites...  CLICK HERE!

==> Safer Online Dating: When Safety Really Counts Most In Dating

Since its inception, online dating services has remarkably gained popularity in the Internet world. In fact, almost 40 million American singles are out in the online dating sites to find the romance of their lives.

However, like any personal interaction activities, it is sill best to observe safety measure when dating online. With millions of strangers out there waiting to be love-stricken, an individual will never know if the person he or she is about to date is 100% harmless.

Here are some safe dating tips for people who are into online dating:

1. Anonymity

Even if an individual is already eyeing somebody that he or she particularly likes, it still best not to divulge any personal information like e-mail address, home address, contact number, or any pertinent information that would reveal one’s true identity.

2. Honest profiles

Being honest does not necessarily mean revealing personal information immediately. Being honest with one’s profile means simply being true to one’s self. It’s best not to create a profile that does not speak the real traits of the person.

Best of all, it would be better not to display a fake picture.

3. Pressure measure

It would be safer for a person not to meet somebody who pressures him or her to meet immediately. It could mean a lot of thins that might not be favorable on the concerned person’s part.

4. Inconsistency

People should be wary of other people who are inconsistent with their profile information. Most often than not, people who are inconsistent on the things that they reveal are not actually telling real things about themselves.

5. If somebody seems to be depressed, it would be better for a person to stop contacting him or her.

Uneasiness is a good indicator if something is most likely to get out of hand. Therefore, it would be better for a person to immediately stop any communication with someone whom the concerned person is uncomfortable with.

All of these things boil down to the fact that safety on online dating starts with the person himself or herself. This means that it is better for a person to set the safety rules for himself (or herself) for protection. Nobody in this world could offer greater protection than what the concerned person can do.

==> Tips For Safety Online Dating - Individual Online Dating Pros and Cons

Online dating privacy is a common occurrence now a days and the amount of advantage & convenience that it provides to the people has made it widely used. According to most people online dating privacy on the internet is equal to a singles bar with multiple personality. At a lower level in general online privacy is a gigantic database of personalities or rather people and it consists of backgrounds and their photos that anyone can take a view off.

But there are many benefits of online dating privacy when measured up to to a singles bar. The first benefit is that with online dating there are no time limitations. At a bar there are no more than 50 odd people at one time and you could barely think of approaching a few thus there is a limitation of choice. While in the case of the Internet there are thousand of people online at any given time.

Plain and simply the benefits of online dating greatly out number the benefits that from a singles bar. But at the same time there happen to be some cons that are associated with online dating as well. Let us go through some of the pros and cons that can be associated with the use of such online offers.

Manageability is the best advantage that you can derive from online dating privacy. You can assert your time preferences when searching a partner. The Internet is open for such searching all the time and thus you can start a search at a time that is convenient to you and from any connection. Besides that the Internet does not require to you to wear a fresh look or something to be impressive.

Online dating privacy gives you the option of viewing thousands of search options at a single time where people from all across the globe are connected and searching for the date. And you can speak to multiple people at the same time. You can speak to a person from the other side of the globe and get introduced to a new experience.

You have at your behest whether you like to reveal your identity or not. What online dating privacy provides you is that you can forget all the reservations that one would usually have while approaching a complete stranger, here everyone is a stranger and only an approach to attempt to strike a conversation shall be the way forward to knowing someone. When you have that person you can ask that person out via online privacy. And just incase you are not able to strike a chord with the person on the other side and he/she rejects you them there is no feeling of embarrassment or is your confidence jolted by such events. And as time passes searching for a date via this service you shall encounter many such rejects and at time you too might reject a person.

What also online dating privacy brings to you is that you are taking to multiple people at the same time and that gives you the confidence to face more than one person up front as well. There are various features & services of online dating like chart rooms that you will certainly enjoy. There are also online gaming features that you can start with a person you would like to get to know better, and hence some light moments might just ignite a more personal one on one conversation.

Last but no the least online dating privacy gives you the chance to get acquainted with a person's attributes & qualities by the way of a conversation. At times it is a boon that the two of you cannot see one another's faces thus allowing for making judgment of a person sans facial attractiveness. You shall be more open-minded in dealing with that person and talk to that person more freely without sensing awkward.

Thus it is more than evident that there are many benefits of online dating privacy but at the same there are some disadvantages that too should be kept in mind prior to getting into such a service. But what is the main motive is that we are looking for a person who would be our ideal date and at the same time we need to be careful that the person we are pursuing as out date is not lying to us in any manner so as to avoid a heartbreak.

Online dating privacy have gained wide-ranging acceptance as a form of dating and also for starting of new relationships. But before you start to explore it you should be completely aware and then also understand the pros and cons of such service.

==> Online Dating Safety - What You Must Know

We have all heard the story on the news about a person who decided to meet up with another individual they had chatted with online, and never returned home. These occurrences are abnormal when it comes to online dating, but here are a few tips to make sure that your online dating experience is fun and safe.

Make sure to trust your instinct. If you have a gut feeling that something may not be right about the other person, stick with your instinct. You should always feeling comfortable with whoever you are chatting. If someone is abusive, block them immediately. There are plenty of other personal ads to look through, so take your time and view a good number of them.

Before agreeing to a date, make sure you know as much as possible. Never publish your phone number or email address in personal ads. Additionally, don’t provide your home or work address to anyone you have not met. Don’t allow yourself to be talked into anything…you are the one in charge!

Take your time to get to know someone…don’t feel rushed. A patient person will be happy to wait until you are ready to meet. Chat on the phone for a while before arranging a date to get to know each other.

When it comes to the actual date, there are a few things to keep in mind. Always meet in a public place that is well known and convenient to you. You will want to tell a friend where you are going and who you are meeting. Always carry a cell phone on a date, and if possible, phone your friend during the date to confirm that everything is fine.

Try to meet at lunchtime, which are convenient, and have a time limit. Make your own travel arrangements. Don’t accept a ride home on the first date or reveal your address. Keep the date to a time limit so that you have an ‘exit’ point. This way, if you’re feeling uncomfortable, you can politely leave.

==> Online Dating Safety Tips

When it comes to dating, safety is an issue that you should take very seriously.

If you are not familiar with the person you are dating, you should never meet them in an isolated area where there is no one present. Depending on your age, your parents, friends, or guardians may wish to act as a chaperone. You will never truly get to know a person until you have personally spent time with them. This is especially true for people who use online dating service. While webcams are helpful, they cannot replace a face to face meeting. There are a number of dating safety tips that you will always want to follow.

First, you should always let people know where you are going on your date. If something happens, or you can't be reached, people will know where to look for you. Take the number and first and last name of the person you're dating and give it to someone you trust. Make it clear to your date that you're doing this. If they have a problem with this, you should consider it to be a bad sign, and you may not want to proceed with dating them. For the first date, it is best to meet in a public place. If possible, meet during the day, and avoid dating a person late in the evening. You may want to start off your first date with something nice such as coffee.

When you go on a date, avoid having your partner meet you at your home. Never give them your address under any circumstances. Until you trust them, the two of you should agree to meet in a public place. If you don't have your own car, you should have a plan to leave quickly if you become uncomfortable with the situation. While you're on the date, it is important to listen carefully to what they are saying. This way, you can catch them in a lie if they say something later on which contradicts what they said earlier. If you see this pattern, this is a bad sign, and you will want to avoid dating this person.

Once the date is over, you will want to travel home without them taking you there. Never allow them to know where you live until you are absolutely comfortable with them. If you are dating online, safety is even more important than for those who are dating offline. The only thing you will see on most dating websites is a picture and profile of a person. This is not enough information for you to truly learn about a person. Even a webcam is not enough. Follow the guidelines in this article and protect yourself at all costs.

==> More Online Dating Safety Tips

There’s thrill, excitement, and nervousness when meeting someone you met over the Net for the first time. But, you must exercise caution when meeting someone you barely know.

Below are some tips to guide you safely when dating.

1. Make arrangements when meeting. Do not let the person pick you up from your house.

2. You should meet in places where there are many people or you can ask for help if your date gives you trouble. Public places such as malls or daytime parks are good places to begin with. If it is possible, you could go double or group date.

3. When you are eating in a restaurant or café, go Dutch. Pay half of the bill. In that way, you won’t feel obliged in returning the favor of treating your date if he or she gets to pay the whole bill.

4. If possible, avoid drinking alcohol while on a date. Alcohol could affect your judgment and lessen inhibitions. If you are drinking, keep the drink in your sight all the time. Do not get too drunk. You might not know what might happen later or remember what you have been doing.

5. If you have a car, use it. Make sure the gas tank is full.

6. Assuming that your date is safe just because he or she claims to be religious is wrong. For all you know, he or she may have a hidden side you still do not know.

7. Do not let any first-time date know where your house is. If you plan in seeing your date the second time, arrange for another date and assess from there if he or she should know where you live.

8. At night, avoid going to secluded, dark areas like parks or dimly lit places.

9. Listen to what your gut says. If there is something that does not feel right, then most likely, it is not. Leave immediately if you feel something isn’t quite right.

10. Tell someone whom you are with and where you will be going. You might also want to arrange a time schedule where someone could call you later and check up on you. You could also plan to meet some friends after the date.

11. Do not give your home contact number. If you really have to give contact information, give your mobile phone number.

12. Stay alert. Having good chemistry and fun the whole time does not mean you should let your guard down. Be sure you have a cell phone with you.

Online dating may be fun, but your safety should be your primary concern.

==> Ten Dating Safety Tips For Online And Off-line

Still looking for a special someone? Just be sure to keep yourself safe. Here are ten ways to find love for your heart but keep your personal protection on your mind.

1. Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true. Begin by communicating solely by email, then look for odd behavior or inconsistencies. The person at the other end may not be who or what he says he is. Trust your instincts. If anything makes you uncomfortable, walk away for your safety and protection.

2. Make sure all contact on a member site takes place through a double-blind system, ensuring your true identity is protected until you decide to reveal it. Never include your last name, home address, phone number, place of employment, email address or any other identifying information in your profile or initial messages. When corresponding with someone, turn off your email signature file. Stop communicating with anyone who puts pressure on you for personal information or attempts in any way to trick you into revealing it.

3. Cautious decisions will result in a better dating experience. Be sure to protect yourself against trusting the untrustworthy; potential boyfriends must earn your trust gradually over time, through consistently honorable, straightforward behavior. Take all the time you need to investigate for a straightforward person and pay careful attention along the way. If you suspect someone is lying, he probably is, so act accordingly. Be responsible about romance, your heart will thank you. Don’t become prematurely intimate with someone, even if that intimacy only occurs online. If you mutually decide to cross the point of no return, be smart and protect yourself. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/ ) provide some of the most current information available about sexually transmitted diseases and preserving your health.

4. Most online dating services do not require members to submit to background checks. So make sure you get as much info as possible by asking questions, utilizing internet search engines and most importantly, using common sense. Nothing is 100% reliable, just remember to use your head…not just your heart.

5. A photo will give you a good idea of the person’s appearance, which may prove helpful in achieving a gut feeling. In fact, it’s best to view several images of someone in various settings: casual, formal, indoor and outdoors. If all you hear are excuses about why you can’t see a photo, consider that he has something to hide.

6. A phone call can reveal much about a person’s communication and social skills. Consider your security and do not reveal your phone number to a stranger. Try a cell phone number instead or use local telephone blocking techniques to prevent your phone number from appearing on a Caller ID. Give out your phone number ONLY when you feel completely comfortable.

7. The beauty of meeting someone online is that you can collect information gradually, later choosing whether to pursue the relationship in the offline world. You never are obligated to meet anyone, regardless of your level on online intimacy. And even if you decide to arrange a meeting, you always have the right to change your mind. It’s possible that your decision to keep the relationship anonymous is based on a hunch that you can’t logically explain. Trust yourself. Go with your instincts

8. Pay attention to displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts to pressure or control you. Acting in a passive-aggressive manner, making demeaning or disrespectful comments or any physically inappropriate behavior are all red flags. You should be concerned if your date exhibits any of the following behavior without providing an acceptable explanation: Provides inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, etc. Refuses to speak to you on the phone after establishing ongoing, online intimacy. Fails to provide direct answers to direct questions. Appears significantly different in person from his or her online persona. Never introduces you to friends, professional associates or family members.

9. When you choose to meet offline, always tell friends where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date's name and telephone number with a friend. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home. Provide your own transportation, meet in a public place at a time with many people around (a familiar restaurant or coffee house is often a good choice), and when the date is over, leave on your own as well. Refrain from drinking excessively, as it could weaken your ability to make good decisions. If at some point you and your date decide to move to another location, take your own car. When the timing is right thank your date for getting together and say goodbye

10. If you plan to fly in from another city, arrange for your own car and hotel room. Do not make known the name of your hotel and never allow your date to make arrangements for you. Get a rental car at the airport and drive directly to your hotel. Always call your date from the hotel. You can also check out the location you both agreed to meet at ahead of time to see exactly where it is and to get more familiar with an area . If the location seems inappropriate or unsafe, go back to your hotel. Try to contact your date at that location or leave a message on an answering machine. Always make sure a friend or family member knows your plans and has your contact information. And carry a cell phone at all times.

Never do anything you feel unsure about. If you are in any way afraid of your date, use your best judgment to diffuse the situation and get out of there. Excuse yourself long enough to call a friend for advice, ask someone else on the scene for help or slip out the back door and drive away. If you feel you are in danger, call the police; it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Never worry or feel embarrassed about your behavior; your safety is much more important than one person’s opinion of you.

While cheaters, liars and frauds certainly can be very convincing on the Web, you’ll also find them in nightclubs and offline dating services, parties or even sitting across from you at your local coffee house. Despite where you meet someone, dating is never risk-free, but a little caution will reduce your risk to your safety when trying to find that certain someone for your heart.

==> Internet Dating Safety Tips

Anyone who has ever heard of the Internet, whether they have used an Internet dating service or not, is well aware of some of the dangers that dating over the World Wide Web can pose. The fact is, if you Internet dating can actually be a more rewarding experience than dating out in the “real world”, and you may even be more insulated from a negative experience on the Internet that you would be in a face to face situation. The Internet offers several screening experiences that are simply not possible when dating face-to-face, and using these opportunities to your advantage can result in an extremely successful online dating experience.

In order to remain safe on the online dating site, start off your experience with each prospective date with caution. I recommend a step-by-step elevation process. Begin your search through the use of a screen name that others will address you as when they wish to contact you. Progressing to first names is not too big a step, but giving out your last name certainly is- do not do it until you have spent a reasonable amount of time talking to the other person and have a feel for the kind of person they are. Set up a separate email account for communicating with potential dates, and never give out any personal information on the first communications. If you feel the other person is pressing you for this information, be prepared to stop communication (if they are pressuring you on something like this already, the odds are good that you will face further pressures if you establish a relationship anyway).

Pay a lot of attention to what the other person is saying, and make sure to register any comments they make that are suspicious or contradictory as you talk. Don’t rush into anything- you don’t have to meet until you are both comfortable. As you chat, you will both need to establish a direct and forthright rapport with each other, in order to establish the trust which is necessary for a face-to-face meeting (this is one of the unique aspects of Internet dating- the foundation of trust is already there before you have even really met, therefore if it all seems to be working out you are several steps ahead of where you would be if you had met in the flesh initially).

Some hard evidence is always good to establish some trust and a deepening of the relationship. Request a photo, and be prepared to reciprocate. It can be daunting to send that photo, but if the goal is to meet eventually then you are going to see each other sooner or later anyway.

Finally, when it comes time to meet, make sure it is in a highly visible area, with many other people around. Don’t be too private on the first date- dinner at a restaurant, a movie in a theater- something with plenty of other people around as you get to really know the person.

Internet dating is growing in popularity and can be a great way to find and establish a great relationship. The mantra “there are a lot of weirdos out there” certainly rings true, but the simple fact is that this is also true in “real” life. Exercising some additional caution in Internet dating will ensure that you have safe experiences, although just like in real life they may not always bear fruit.

==>> To read more about Online Dating Safety and Relationship Advice by these WUVING Recommended authors, Click Here...

Online dating is an excellent way to meet people as long as it is done safely. Before you begin chatting with those strangers on the other line, make sure to take a few minutes to make sure that you know what you should and shouldn't be doing. Like any type of dating, it is important to realize that you do not know the other person on the other side of the instant message. In fact, the online dating game makes it even harder to know who is out there. Here are some simple, effective ways for knowing how to stay safe during online dating.

Tip One: Never give out personal information. One of the most vulnerable ways that this can happen is simply telling someone your credit card number, your online passwords, or your social security number. If they want to buy something for you, or need to borrow some money, run. Even if you have talked to them for years, you should never provide this information on the web. Instead, send them a money order or make the purchase yourself.

Tip Two: Beware of people who lie to you. Now, this may seem quite simple as no one wants to be around those that lie. But, in the online dating game, you really need to watch for those mistakes. As they found you, they can find others. In other words, don't think that you are the only one that they are chatting with. One thing the online dating world is not is exclusive. Lying can be a sign that they are keeping things from you that are much larger. Be wary of this.

Tip Three: Don't provide your home address to anyone. Again, you do not really know these people nor do you want some nut case showing up at your house. Don't think they will do that? Ask yourself why they wouldn't. Never provide your last name either if you information is listed in phone books or the web. Just make one up or simply don't give one out. Having a name, phone number and address of an individual is enough to get some loans.

Tip Four: If you plan to meet them, meet them in an open, crowded place and stay there. Your first meeting should be someplace like a restaurant, a park or a movie theater where there are many people around for your own safety. Also, don't stray from that location. On a first date like this, you shouldn't trust anyone.

Tip Five: When you are participating in online dating, you need to properly prepare yourself. Many of the people that get on the web to find someone to talk to are just fine, but there are those that are looking at you as if you are prey. Not only do you need to protect your safety, but you also need to protect your heart. Don't put it on the line. Make sure your just looking for friends at first. If by that slim chance you do find someone to love, that's great. But protecting yourself first and foremost is your goal in every online dating relationship that you enter.

More and more people are discovering the benefits of meeting potential mates online. Whether you are looking for casual dates or a serious relationship, meeting suitors by way of the Internet is a viable alternative to the bar scene, however it is important to remember to make safety a priority.

There are many online dating websites to choose from so when it comes to building your online profile consider carefully what you wish to convey to others. Be honest in your profile but it is wise to remain anonymous with anyone who chooses to contact you. Keep in mind that meeting people via the Internet is very different than a face-to-face meeting because you cannot pick up on body language or verbal cues.

Always pick and choose carefully among the individuals who contact you. Remember that you do not have to get to know anyone online who does not appeal to you. Through reading the words of others we can pick up on specific nuances about their character, personality, morals, ambitions and so on. If you do not like a person then keep looking.

Sometimes things go wrong in online chats just as they do in the offline world. If someone makes you feel awkward or uncomfortable or makes you feel pushed into a corner, get away from them. Always think caution when it comes to online interaction and trust what your instincts are telling you. In the same vein if someone appears to be too good to be true then they probably are. You need to develop a relationship of mutual trust and respect if things are going to work and that goes for dating that begins online as well as offline.

Always seek honesty in the other person you are getting to know and give that person the same. Put your best foot forward and be willing to share information but dole it out in small increments. Keep your safety in mind at all times and do not lose your head over someone so quickly that you allow logic to go out the window.

When you feel you are connecting with another person online, share photographs of yourself and encourage them to do the same. You can get a feel for a person from seeing their photo or seeing a few photos of the person- such as a smiling picture, a serious picture and so on. If the person you are communicating with online seems reluctant to share a photo with you then he or she might have something to hide.

When you feel even more comfortable with a person you have met online agree to a time to have a telephone conversation but whatever you do be safe about it. Offer to be the one to call but it would be smart to block your home telephone number or your cell phone number, whichever one you call from. If or when you feel completely at ease with the other person and feel that trust is developing, you can give the other person your number and allow them the opportunity to telephone you directly.

If everything is checking out and you are getting good vibes about your online suitor then when it comes time to arrange to meet, do so in a busy, and very public place such as a coffee shop. It is also best to choose a location that you are familiar with. Drive yourself to your meeting and drive yourself home from it alone. Let someone close to you know what you are doing and where you will be.

Online dating always has, and always will be safer than meeting someone you don’t know in a bar. There have been a few stories of how it’s not safe, and what’s happened to singles when they meet someone for the first time. You will find no safer way to meet other singles than online first. Getting drunk in a bar with someone you have met for the first time is not a safe way to get to know someone.

You can make online dating even safer by sticking to a few rules. These will also help you have a much more enjoyable experience. Enjoying yourself is just as important as finding a partner.

Always stay anonymous for as long as you possibly can when getting to know someone online. Get to know the other single a little bit before you start giving any personal details away. Even your name should just be your username in the early stages. When you do start to divulge some of your personal details only give over things that can be easily changed at a later date. For Example. Set up an e-mail address just for your online dating. That way if you start getting pestered or start receiving loads of spam you can just change it. If you have to give out your phone number give them a cell phone number. It gives you that peace of mind of being able to change it if anyone becomes a nuisance.

Never be rushed into doing anything. Someone who likes you, and starts to care about you will respect the speed you want to get to know them. If someone ever tries to push you into doing anything like meeting them when you don’t want to you should end all contact with them. Get to know them on the phone first, this is the next step to finding out what they are like. You can pick things up in peoples voices. It becomes harder to think things up on the spot, as opposed to typing comments online.

Your first offline date with someone should be in a public place preferably during the day. A coffee shop is a good place for that first date. It’s nice and quiet but busy so you have people around you. Tell someone where you are going, and what time you’ll be back. Arrange your own transport so you don’t have to rely on a lift home or back to work. Have a time limit on your date, and stick to it. They don’t have to know your intentions plus if you leave earlier than expected it will leave them wanting more.

This advice isn’t to scare you off of every potential Mr. or Mrs. Right. This is just to make you more aware, and make sure you don’t get yourself into a situation where you wouldn’t want to be. Online dating is still safer than a bar or club on a Saturday night so you have nothing to worry about.