How to avoid online dating risks


Online dating has become a popular service nowadays. In fact, many people worldwide, are members of various online dating services. 

While online dating services have benefits, there are some serious drawbacks too. The most important concern is your safety. How can you know whether that otherwise sweet and loving chat mate of yours you meet in an online service is a rapist or stalker?    
Like traditional dating, online dating has some risks. To avoid danger, consider the following tips.

1. In your profile, it is good not to include detailed personal information, such as your personal home address, job address, telephone number, or email address. Dating sites, especially the reputable ones, make sure that all their members are safe. Some do it by checking the criminal records of their members, some by automatically deleting any detailed information in your personal profile. 

2. It would be good if you know more about the person you just met online before giving him or her any personal information. Take some time in getting to know him or her first before setting up a date. 

3. Don't put false information in your profile or a fake photograph. If you want people to be honest with you too, be genuine in your information. Honesty is the best policy. A cliché, yes; but it works in online dating. 

4. It might be good to have an email account set up in fee email sites like Yahoo or Hotmail. Give this email address to online users who want to have your email, instead of your main email address. If you don't want a person to contact you again, then at least your main email address is safe and free from his or her emails. 

5. Be careful of people who: 

- Want to meet up with you instantly and pressure you to do so.

- Bug you to give your personal contact details when they themselves don't want to give you their personal contact information.

- Are not consistent in giving you information about their martial status, age, employment. 

- Avoid answering questions that are too personal.

6. If somebody is bothering you already, stop sending him or her messages immediately. 

Online dating is fun, but you have to be aware that it also has safety risks as well.