Hits & Mrs: How to Have a Safe Online Dating Experience
Millions of people have used online dating and I happen to be one of them. In fact, not only did I meet my husband online, but many of my clients are still going strong in relationships that started on an internet dating site. In my opinion, online dating is not only a great way to meet new people, but a safe way as well. However, there is, unfortunately, the occasional fraud case that reminds us we need to be safe and cautious when meeting someone online, just as we should be when we meet someone new in person.
I often hear from daters who are nervous about putting too much information in their profile, or giving away data that might compromise their security—and rightly so. However, Michael Fertik, CEO of Reputation.com, an online reputation management company, emphasizes that online daters need to think about their online identity overall before creating an account. “Be careful what you share on social networks. Your entire internet presence is your profile…your actual dating profile is just the tip of the iceberg.” Fertik says. “It’s up to you to remove the risk before there is risk.”
It’s a good idea to consult with a company that specializes in cleaning up your online identity before communicating on a dating site. Don’t leave anything up to chance that might turn someone off or make sensitive personal information more discoverable than it needs to be. A large percentage daters use online tools such as Google to screen potential dates with some going as far as researching their dates’ ex-flames as well! With that in mind, here are my tips for protecting yourself for that face-to-face date to further your positive online-dating experience:
#1 Always meet them there. Until you get to know and trust someone you meet online, it’s always a good idea to meet your date in a public place.
#2 Phone a friend. Make sure at least one person knows the name and phone number of the person you’re meeting and where you’ll be with them.
#3 Set a drink maximum. I know that after two drinks my decision-making ability is compromised, so I made a rule that one drink was my max. Everyone’s tolerance is different, but on a first date you want to make sure you stay clear-headed.
#4 Stick to one location. After a few drinks we sometimes become more uninhibited. A ride to grab some dessert might sound like a good idea, but it actually opens you up to danger. If the relationship has long-term potential, save the second activity for the second date.
#5 Trust your gut. If something tells you that this guy or gal is not right, don’t second guess it. It might not be today or tomorrow, but eventually your gut will prove to be right. Our animal instincts prevail in dating, so if your antennae go up when you’re with someone, beware— they might actually be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
#6 Talk on the phone first. If they want to know a lot of details about where you live or work, or they seem off in some way, abort the mission. If you don’t like them on the phone, you probably won’t like them in person anyhow, so just save yourself some time.
#7 Test them. Michael Fertik of Reputation.com recommends that, before meeting, you see if there are any holes in your date’s profile. “Ask yourself if the person online looks and feels like the one you’re talking to,” Fertik says. If they write about loving a particular sport, ask them some questions about it and see if they know their stuff. If you suspect that they might not live in the area, throw out location details they should know. If they don’t pick up the bait on your test questions, you don’t want to pursue things further.
#7 Meet face-to-face. There are people who never intend to meet in person. These could be people who have something to hide or someone who intends to scam you down the road. If you meet face-to-face, it’s hard to continue to lie about anything untruthful in their profile. And most online daters who want a serious relationship are not going to have outrageous lies in their profiles because they know if you become an item, you’ll find out the truth eventually.
#8 Never give anyone money. This is the oldest trick in the book whether we’re talking about phone scams, email scams or face-to-face swindles. The only payment you should be making is to the online dating site. If a date is asking for your credit card number for any reason, they are probably a “Nigerian prince” and you should definitely say, “No!”
Online dating can be perfectly safe and very effective if you follow these simple guidelines (read up on 100hookup’s safety tips here). Also, using common sense helps to steer clear of those with nefarious intentions. Like any popular medium, crooks will always find a way to tap into a mass market of people, but armed with the right information, you can control your own safety.
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This article oscillated between common sense and borderline paranoia. After a few emails, presumably whomever one communicates with obviously wants to get together. This will require a phone number which one should have little hesitation about passing along. It is unimaginable to me that one should fear providing a phone number, and it actually works in your favor. It signals to the person that you are serious about meeting up and want to take your rapport to the next stage. Continuing to banter back and forth on a dating website gets old pretty quickly, so if one is serious about actually dating putting up that number is crucial after three emails or so. This information does not compromise safety in the slightest, at least no more than one’s photo and email address would. The rest of the article is pretty much common sense. Don’t lend people money on a first date? I have yet to see that one, isn’t that called prostitution?
HEY Denise,
You were just on a MEETING and not a real date. Your expectations (along with your friends)show that you all lack class, expecting him to BUY YOU coffee and walk you to your car on a MEETING! You also messed up the opportunity for a real date. Most women on a MEETING want to buy their own coffee so they do not have to feel obligated and don’t want the man to walk them to their car for privacy reasons. I hope you and your friends enjoy being dateless.
A man on 100hookup emailed me and after several emails, he offered his phone number.
We had a few phone conversations and invited me to meet for coffee.
We set the date three days ahead and I never heard from him during those 3 days. Even the day of the coffee date, he didn’t call or text to confirm the plan.
I arrived at the coffee shop on time and he was already sitting outside with his iced coffee. He stood up as I approached but did not offer to buy me a drink. I went in and bought one for myself.
We had a nice conversation which lasted more than an hour. He said he’d like to go out sometidid and then he didn’t walk me to my car.
Does this man lack manners, class and consideration or are my expectations of meeting a man who will protect, profess, and provide outdated?
My friends say this guy sounds like a jerk who in his mid 50’s will not learn to be a gentleman. One of my friends said I should have never paid for my own drink and I should have left within the first 5 minutes if he hadn’t offered me a drink.
What can you advise about first dates, first impressions, expectations, …
Good job of scaring women from being real and just remaining dateless.
Most of these same women work or live in a major city and go out at night where the main concern is getting home without being mugged or assaulted.
If you’re concerned about giving out your phone number, the easiest way to handle it is to ask the potential date for their number and, if you do not have a private number, dial *67 from your phone or call them from a Skype premium account that you create exclusively for your online dates.
When you are ready to connect face-to-face be sure to meet them in a public place with well-lit parking in a populated area. Make sure someone else knows where you are and when you’ll be back.
I have lots of other ideas in my new book “Spin Your Web”- you can get a free sneak peek on my website https://www.DearMrsD.com – Thanks for reading the column and keep your questions coming!
How do you give them your telephone number to talk and maybe arrange to meet face to face without compromising safety?