How to avoid online dating scams.
One of the top reasons people join a professional matchmaking service is to avoid being scammed by online dating services. Here at Misty River Introductions we take measures to assure every client’s identity. We make sure people are who they say they are, live where they say they live and work where they say they work.
People will tell me all sorts of horror stories about online dating services. If you are going to use an online dating service, be aware that you are being matched by an algorithm and anyone can make a profile and say whatever they want about themselves, or the person they are pretending to be. Few sites offer any means of protection against fake accounts, ‘cat-fishing’ or scams. Online, people can be whoever they want to be!
If you're going to take your chances with online dating, here are some basic safety rules.
Meet in a public place. Your first few dates should always be in public, do not agree to meet at somebody’s home or invite them to yours until you get to know the person and really know who you are dealing with.
Don't disclose personal information, including where you work or live until you’ve been on several dates with someone.
Don't ever for any reason give people money. Someone you're dating should not be asking for money. That includes transferring sums of money into and out of your personal bank accounts. This is a scam that is currently rife on the internet, beware!
Make sure you make friends or family aware of where and when you will be meeting your online dates. Have them check in during and after the date to ensure you are safe. You can even share your location in real-time from your cell phone, so they can track your location in a worst-case scenario.
When you date online, you have to be your own sleuth. If you are serious about someone it doesn't hurt to search them online, look for social media or linked-in profiles, professional business pages etc. Ensure their photos match their name and there are no inconsistencies between their dating profile to what you find online. Remember the saying, only the skeptic will survive. Don’t take things at face value or believe everything you're told and at the end of the day, trust your instincts. Get a weird vibe on the first date? Don’t say yes to a second. Do they keep avoiding talking on the phone? Red flag, don’t pursue that any further.
People do meet people online, and there are good people on the internet! However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the good among the increasing number of online romance scammers. Another solution? Invest in a professional matchmaker who pre-screens clients and does the due diligence for you. Spending the money and hiring a professional matchmaker can be cheaper in the long run than taking a chance on someone you don't know. Not only are you investing in your dating safety, you are investing in your future happiness!
