Online dating is certainly one of the most popular ways of meeting somebody new these days. With plenty of dating websites and apps to choose from, dating online is one of the best ways to meet somebody new as it gives you the chance to meet people who you may have never crossed paths with otherwise. But, it’s important to be vigilant when dating online. Although most people that you come across are going to be decent and genuine, there are some dangerous individuals out there and sadly they don’t come with a warning sign. If you’ve heard horror stories about people going on dates with people that they met online who turned out to be dangerous criminals, you’ll want to know what you can do to keep yourself as safe as possible online. Keep these safety rules in mind; they could save your life one day.
Do Your Research:
It’s always a wise idea to research the person that you plan to meet up with for a date after talking with them online. An easy way to make sure that they are who they say they are is to conduct a reverse image search on their dating site photos; if they are posted anywhere else online, you will be able to see where. Social media is also a good option to find out more about a person, but if you want to dig a little deeper and find out if there’s anything important that they might be hiding from you, your best bet is to use Nuwber. This site allows you to search for all types of records that may be held about a person including arrest and criminal records that will quickly inform you about who you’re dealing with.
Meet in a Public Place:
A general rule of thumb in online dating is to never meet up at somebody’s home for the first time. Inviting somebody to your home rather than going to their’s might seem like a safer option but the truth is that if you are dealing with a dangerous person, this means that they’re going to know where you live and you are putting yourself at risk. And, asking somebody on an online dating site or app to meet you in a public place for the first date can tell you a lot about the type of person that they are; people who are respectful of you and concerned for your safety will always agree.
Keep Somebody Informed:
While meeting in a public place can minimize your risk of being in danger when on a date with somebody you’re meeting for the first time, it’s also a wise idea to let somebody know who you are with and where you expect to go. You might even want to use a tool like Find My Friends on iPhone so that a friend or family member can track your location and act quickly if they suspect anything out of the ordinary. Letting a friend or relative know where you are means that they can quickly come to get you if anything goes wrong and you need to get out of the situation quickly.
For the most part, online dating is a fun way to meet new people – but sadly, you could be meeting up for a date with anybody. Keep these tips in mind to keep yourself safe.
