| Online dating has hit the mainstream. People of all ages | | | | Before you call the number for the first time, call |
| and stages are taking advantage of interpersonal | | | | directory assistance (or look up the number online) to |
| tests and technology to find a match that is just right. | | | | ensure that the number you were given matches with |
| But is online dating safe? Here's what you need to | | | | the person's name. |
| know before venturing into the online dating world. | | | | Do a search for the person's name on Google, |
| Keep it Online For Awhile | | | | ask.com, and Once You Decide to Meet in Person |
| The first rule is to find an online dating service that you | | | | If you feel like it's the right time to meet face-to-face, |
| trust, so you might want to stick to the well-known, | | | | here are a few precautions: |
| reputable online dating services. Do some research | | | | Do not go to the person's home. Instead, meet at a |
| about the website or service before filling out any | | | | public place, where lots of people gather. You can also |
| personal information. The largest online dating services | | | | choose a special event to attend. Let a friend or two |
| have detailed privacy policies in place, as well as very | | | | know where you're going and how to get in touch with |
| specific guidelines as to what kind of information they | | | | you while you're there. Or ask a friend to call you at a |
| collect and how that information is used. The big online | | | | set time. Let your friends know what time you expect |
| dating services also generally have systems in place | | | | to return, as well. You may even want to take a friend |
| that allow you to chat with other members without | | | | along for the first meeting, and suggest that the other |
| giving away the details of your identity. | | | | person do, too. Not only can this break the ice, it can |
| Once you have found an online dating service that | | | | really help you to feel more comfortable. |
| appeals to you and matches your interests and | | | | During a meal, avoid leaving your food, drink, or |
| lifestyle, keep your personal information to yourself. | | | | personal belongings unattended at the table. If you |
| Don't give out your phone number, address, or any | | | | need to excuse yourself from the table during the |
| other personal information online. Limit your | | | | date, take your pocketbook with you, and order |
| correspondence to anonymous chat until you get to | | | | another drink when you return. If you start to feel sick, |
| know the other person well enough to share your | | | | call a friend immediately to ask to drive you home. |
| more personal information. | | | | Don't drink. It's important that you be able to drive |
| There are lots of ways to create a semi-anonymous | | | | yourself home. And if you travel for the first date, |
| identity, and still allow people to reach you. For | | | | make sure your hotel accommodations remain a |
| example, set up a free email account just for your | | | | secret. This is an especially good time to bring along a |
| online dating correspondence. You can also set up a | | | | friend along. |
| voicemail account and a post office box. There are | | | | The bottom line is: There are people out there who |
| times when you may feel compatibility at first, and then | | | | are going to want to take advantage of you. Don't be |
| wish you hadn't given away your information. Providing | | | | paranoid, but be aware. Follow your gut. Ask questions |
| personally identifying details should come fairly late in | | | | of potential matches, and be aware and skeptical of |
| the game. | | | | anything they say that contradicts something they may |
| Making Phone Calls | | | | have said previously or anything they stated in their |
| Use a public phone or a cell phone to make phone | | | | online dating profile. |
| calls. If you use your home phone number, call the | | | | It's up to you to pay attention to anything that doesn't |
| person yourself and block the Caller ID before making | | | | feel right. Online, anyone can be pretend to be |
| the phone call. Keep in mind that if you give your home | | | | someone they are not, so take everything with a grain |
| phone number, your home address can be found quite | | | | of salt. Remember that you can't completely |
| easily. If the person has given you a toll-free number | | | | guarantee your safety in any kind of dating situation, |
| (such as a 1-800 number) beware. The number you | | | | but you can greatly decrease your risk by remaining |
| call from will probably be listed on the person's itemized | | | | alert and using common sense. |
| phone bill. | | | | |