Online dating can be a very fun and safe way to meet singles. Still, you can never be too safe when it comes to dating. Be cautious when interacting with a new match and always take precautions to shield your privacy. By following these 5 online dating safety tips, you can better protect yourself and your privacy from any potential online hazards.

1. It's safer to remain anonymous

   Matchmaking services allow you to create a dating profile with the option to keep your account anonymous. If you choose to have your email address available for other singles to view, make sure you create a new identity that would be difficult to trace back to yourself. The best way to do this is to create an email address that is anonymous, yet playful. Avoid using email accounts that have your name in them. Things like hobby’s, interests, or physical attributes work terrific for an online identity. There are many online services that allow you to sign up for a free email account. Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, and Google’s Gmail are some of the more common free email services.

2. Be cautious of photos

   Looks can be deceiving. If you suspect the match you are interested in is falsely stating their age, just ask for a recent photo. You may be quite surprised at the response you receive. You want to avoid dating situations in which the person you meet does not match the person described. It is not uncommon for someone to misrepresent their physical attributes or age. Before meeting on a date, you should always ensure your safety by making sure that the single you are meeting is portraying themselves in an honest manner.

3. Be safe when using your phone

   After you have found a potential match and shared some email exchanges, you can safely progress to the next level of internet dating; the phone conversation. Arrange a time when you will call each other. If you are concerned about providing your phone number, ask your potential match for their number. When you make your call, you can use Caller ID blocking (*67) to protect your number from being traced. Caller ID blocking works on most cell phones as well. This is a great way to maintain your anonymity during your online dating experience.

   During the phone conversation, you should monitor how well the conversation flows. There is a good chance that the conversation may be awkward at first but, if there is a connection, things should smooth out after a few moments.

   If you decide to provide your own number, use a cell phone or an alternate line that is not listed under your name. It is possible that a person will be able to get your name and contact information through your home phone number. By using an alternate line, you are able to maintain your privacy. The biggest tip here is to use your instincts. If you feel uneasy during the conversation, it is best to end it there. Things will not be any easier when you meet in person. There are plenty of fish in the cyber space sea. Don’t try to force a relationship that does not come easy.

4. Put safety first when meeting face to face

   When meeting online singles, you should always meet in a public area where you feel safe and familiar with the surroundings. Don’t make the mistake of meeting in a place you are unfamiliar with. This can add anxiety to the date and ruin an otherwise enjoyable experience. Have fun and relax but, always keep your safety in mind. Never rely on a stranger for a ride; even if at the end of a good date they kindly offer a ride home. If you drive to the date, try to avoid using your own car. Keeping your vehicle and license plate secret will help to keep your personal information secret as well.

   As a back-up plan, you should let a close friend or relative know the details of your date (time, place, etc…). If you are nervous, ask a friend to call you on your cell phone to check-in during the date.

   Be careful about the amount of information you share during these first meetings. Never give out your last name or address until you are comfortable with someone's character.

5. Consider Background Checks

   To ensure your safety, there are ways to find out some information about your match before the date. Internet search engines are a great way to do a basic search of a person. Simply type in their name in one of these search engines and you should be able to easily gather some basic background information on the person if it is available. If you get serious with someone you meet online you can even go to the extreme of hiring a professional investigator to check out their history more thoroughly.

You should always keep your safety in mind and trust your gut instincts when dating online. It is always safer to error on the side of caution when it comes to meeting a new match. By following these 5 simple dating safety tips, you will find your online dating experience fun and rewarding.

Best of luck,

The Date Detective