Online Dating May Lead to Love, But Has Its Perils Too

While the guidelines are not legally enforceable,

    Check potential registrants against national sexual offender databases

and ban sexual offenders from having online profiles.
    Institute systems for rapid reporting of abuse by consumers.
    Provide online safety education for consumers covering such topics as

meeting offline, identity fraud, and so on.
    Check for fake profiles.



dating strangers involves some level of risk, and the anonymity provided by

the internet can make it easier for scammers and individuals with a history

of violence to hide their true identities and motives.


Below are a list of online bad guys to be worried about:

    Identity Thieves
    Violent Individuals and Criminals
    Con Artists with Fake Identities
    Stalkers


What You Can Do to Help Protect Yourself


Don’t give out personal information when you first connect. Use a service

such as Google Voice to have calls sent to your mobile and home phones

without disclosing these numbers to callers. Use call screening to see who

is calling, and block undesirable people. Don’t reveal your place of work

or home address, and use online and email IDs that don’t contain your real

name.


Do a Google search entering your own name to see what identifying

information exists about you online and remove anything you don't want to

be seen. Also search the potential date’s name and Facebook profile to

learn more about them, and if the information they have given you matches

up.



Don’t hurry to meet in person. Take time to ask questions online, and pay

attention to any answers that don’t seem to add up or give you an

uncomfortable feeling. Whether online or in person, always trust your gut!

It’s more important to be safe than polite. Block and report anybody who

acts inappropriately or in a threatening manner.



When you do meet, choose a place you don’t normally go to, and let a friend

know who you are meeting, when, and where. Arrange to call or text the

friend to let them know you are safe. Don't get into a car with the date or

have them pick you up.


Don’t fall in love until you’ve met the person. They may not be who they

claim to be,


Beware of people who try to rush the pace of the relationship, pressure

you, threaten to end the relationship if you don’t do what they want, try

to make you feel guilty, or treat you disrespectfully. These can be red

flag signs of potentially abusive or manipulative types.


Speak by phone before meeting in person

With employers checking Facebook, there may be additional risks to your

livelihood.
Don’t use overly suggestive language or photographs in your online profile

or come across like a drunk


Treat your online encounters as potential opportunities to get to know different types of people and learn more about yourself


http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201203/online-dating-may-lead-love-has-its-perils-too