This is a good article on how to be safe and what to do if you think something is not right while you are trying online dating for the first time. Remember, not all people using online dating or social media sites are who they say they are. Many people lie about their age to try to lure young or underage victims into meeting them someplace. And for those that try to victimize underage people, remember, there are police officers pretending to be just the underage prey you are searching for. Don't do it!!
The pay online dating sites offer some protection since most people with less than honest intentions will not pay for the service but will look for free dating sites to lurk around and send messages pretending to be someone they are not. Be careful! Also, if you are underage do not lie about your age. There is a reason why you must be of legal age to use these sites. Read the tips below originally published on Ezinearticles. Please feel free to comment with your experiences.
What to Do If You Think You're the Victim of an Online Dating Illegality
By now you've probably heard of the myriad ways in which online dating scammers work. The question remains though, just what do you do if and when you encounter such a scenario?
Here are a few tips to keep in mind should you encounter an online dating scammer.
Do not agree to anything extraordinary
Never forget why you are on an online dating site: Meeting people and trying to find your perfect match. If someone fishy starts asking you to run errands, exchange money or help them out in any other way, you are no longer doing what you sought out to do. Stay the course.Break off communication
The first thing you should do if you suspect someone's intentions are less than perfect is break off all communication. Scammers live off their ability to persuade and convince people of their legitimacy. If you take away their opportunity to do this, they will not be able to weave their web. If you smell something not quite right, move on.Do not give information
If you have any suspicion about a fellow single, do not under any circumstances give them any personal and potentially incriminating information. Keep credit card and social security numbers to yourself, and do not share personal home or email addresses. Keeping this information private until you feel completely secure will ensure your safety.Contact your online dating site's customer support
Most online dating sites these days have extensive security systems in place to help members thwart potential scams. If you find someone or something that has fallen through the cracks, don't hesitate to inform someone at your site. Aside from avoiding danger, you may also be saving someone else from future head and heartaches.Use the power of Google
If you're on the Internet, the odds are good you've encountered Google. Aside from random surfing, the world's most popular search engine can also be a powerful tool against online dating fraud. Put simply, there is no online scam that has not been attempted somewhere else before. If you suspect the worst, you'll likely be able to find a fraud resource page that can help you get more information on a scenario you're encountering. It's also a good idea to consult message boards; an experienced hand can help steer you in the right direction.Contact your local authorities
Once you have contact the administrators (or fraud department) of your online dating service, and have managed to avoid getting scammed, it might not be a bad idea to contact your local authorities. Often, as in the case of fraud originating overseas, they will not be able to help you, but in the case of local or national scams, they may be helpful in other ways.There may be very little way of completely eradicating online dating fraud, but knowing what to look for and what to do can make the difference between getting scammed and finding your perfect match.
Mitch Conway is the author of The Go-Getter's Guide To Finding Your Soulmate, the first dating guide designed to help singles save time and become more proactive at meeting people. Mr. Conway describes himself as having been an “average single guy” who decided to take a pragmatic and structured approach to finding his soulmate. His techniques and advice were put together over a period of three years into what is now The Go-Getter's Guide to Finding Your Soulmate.
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