Monday, February 15, 2010

Beware of Online Dating Scams: Safe Dating Online Tips

By Jonathan Safen

With the online dating industry increasing more in success, both for operators and for users, online dating frauds are popping up everywhere. You need to prepare for the online dating world by always using common sense and by reading up on the online criminals from time to time. Protect your time and money by always keeping up to date about the online scams. You should also keep your heart safe too.

First people that are pretending to be interested in your dating profile can scam you online. You should be wary of anyone that wants to meet right away because it ought to take a few weeks of online chat and phone conversations before meeting another person is even an option to be considered. When you do meet somebody, do not leave your personal belongings alone with him or her at any time. This is an easy way for them to steal your credit card or other personal details and you may not notice these things are missing for a few days. Also be wary of people who send you links. Do not click on a link without first knowing what it is and never download any software on your computer that others users are sending you or have in their profiles. These are often some type of spy ware programs that can steal information from your computer like your passwords and credit card details.

The second type of online scam is done not by the online dater, but by the online dating operator. The problem here is frequently the same. An online dating operator that is not well known and has only recently been established , might steal your credit card details or other personal information for their use. These businesses because they are online can disappear easily without a trace and it may be a long time before your cash is found if it is at all. Always read the terms and conditions before you sign up to be sure that there is no phrase that gives them consent to sell your email address or use your private details in any way.

Finally, you need to be alarmed if an online dater should ask you to cash money orders, online users have been defrauded into cashing these checks and wiring the cash to a person who claims to be in another nation unable to cash checks. These checks are usually "washed" which means that they were purchased for a small amount of money and then tainted. You will eventually get caught and it is not possible to prove that another person altered the checks and you will be guilty for what is effectively a crime.

The online frauds can put a real strain on online dating but if you are intelligent, you should not have any troubles. You need to care for yourself by not giving out too much personal details and by staying out of financial matters.

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