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SAFETY TIPS: WHEN MEETING ONLINE

1. Protect Your Anonymity. Always set up an email account just for online personals. Yahoo, MSN hotmail, or Google gmail are among the favorites. Start by first communicating solely via email. All correspondence done via our email messaging center or Instant Messenger application should not reveal any personal contact information about you. If you decide to correspond through your own email program make sure to use an anonymous username. Never include your last name, real email address, personal Web site URL, home address, phone number, place of work, or any other identifying information in your profile or initial emails you exchange with other members.



2. Remember that you must remain in control of your online experience at all times. If a stranger starts suggesting going directions you are not comfortable with, you are moving out of control, out of the safe zone. You should remain completely anonymous until you feel ready.



3. Take your time. If someone seems too good to be true they probably are. Pay attention to your correspondent's words. The person at the other end may not be who or what he/she says. It's always best to trust your instincts. Walk away from anything that makes you uncomfortable.You are also in control when it comes to taking an online relationship offline. Plus, you have an advantage online because you can and should get to know each other before you meet. Remember that you don't need to take anything further than the computer or phone wires until you feel completely at ease.



4. Ask a lot of questions regarding traits, habits, and tastes regarding areas you desire or fear. Watch out for odd behavior or inconsistencies in the responses to your questions over several conversations.



5. Never include your personal contact information in your profile, especially telephone numbers, email, home address or your last name, and only give them out when your instincts tell you this is someone you can trust. It's okay and smart to take your time.



6. Ask for a Photo. A photo will give you a good idea of the person's appearance. In fact, it's best to view several images of this person in a variety of settings: casual, formal, indoor, outdoors. If he or she continuously comes up with an excuse, it may be because that person has something to hide. Fitness Singles will scan in a photo for free, so there are not any good excuses for not doing it. A person may also send you a photo of somebody else. Be cautious. If you decide to make personal photos public by email to individuals or by posting them online, remember this decision can have many consequences regarding your future. They could be reposted on any kind of site for any kind of purpose. It is certainly safer to err on the side of safety when gambling on sending photos to strangers. Play it conservative to be safe.



7. Shy away from members who won't take no for an answer or pressure you for any kind of personal information. Serious cyber-savvy daters will respect your space and allow you to take your time.



8. Pick up the phone! A phone call can provide valuable insight into a person's communication and social skills. Do not give out your personal phone number. Instead, try a cell phone number or make arrangements to call from a pay phone. Only furnish your phone number when you feel comfortable doing so. If someone gives you a phone number with a strange area code, check it out to make sure it's not a long-distance charge number before you make the call. It's always wise to have your caller I.D. blocked (made private/unreadable on the other end) by your phone service provider if you can. You don't want future calls if things don't work out.



9. Using your own good judgment is your best bet because ultimately you are responsible for your personal dating experience. Trust your instincts and then have fun with the right people!



10. When in doubt, get out. Its always better to be safe than sorry. When presented with an unsafe situation just leave. Don't worry about what another person may think of you. Your safety is obviously more important. Remember, dating is like driving: If you want to keep things under control or safe, just slow the thing down.

DATING TIPS & ADVICE ARTICLES