Is it safe to date online? Tips for Finding Love Online

This is a guest post by AMX Detectives is a detective agency in Delhi that offers a wide range of detective services including: Criminal Investigations, Background Investigation, Fraud Investigations, Locate Missing Person, Online investigations, relationship queries, and many more.

Online dating apps or services have been used by over 40 million individuals. When you are meeting someone new, online or offline, it is important to be safe. Dating apps don’t run criminal background checks.

Therefore, it is up to each individual to decide if they would like to be friends. But it’s important to remember that any victim of sexual assault or other violence online or through an app is not your responsibility.

These are some tips that can help increase your safety in interacting online with people using dating apps and other services. While they do not guarantee safety, they can help you feel safer.

Your safety should be a top priority. I don’t care if a man is hot online. He might not be the guy he claims to be (catfishing is basically posting photos that aren’t of him and then lying about who they are).

If you want to avoid bad or dangerous guys, online dating should be approached with some skepticism.

The Big question – Is it safe to date online?

Although I am not trying to scare you, I don’t want to make you believe that every man on dating sites will be honest. To answer your question, online dating is safe, if you take certain precautions.

1. Be Sure To Only Use Quality Sites

Some dating sites may not be the same. Some are more concerned about keeping you safe. Bumble. Tinder. Match. eHarmony and a few others are reputable sites. While many of these sites have security measures that prevent fraud, they are not always foolproof. According to many women who I have coached, these sites are more likely to offer higher-quality men due to the fact that they charge for their services.

Free sites are likely to have more fake profiles than paid sites. Do not waste your precious time.

2. Keep Your Contact Information Secret

Any potential dates will likely do a detailed Internet search to find your name. They could find your office on LinkedIn, your address in an Instagram post, and your phone number linked with an online advertisement. Don’t post any personal details, such as your address, phone number, or email.

Also, limit what information is posted to other virtual platforms. Your security settings should be set to private on all of your social media accounts. Also, never allow any app to post your location.

3. Use Different Pictures For Your Dating Profile.

Google can do a reverse image look. It will make it easier for people to find you on social networks if your dating profile also has a photo.

4. Avoid Connecting With People Who Appear Suspicious.

You should be suspicious if your match has not posted any pictures or has no bio. When you choose to connect to someone with so little information, you should be careful.

5. Seek Out Potential Dates On Social Media.

If you know your match’s handle or name on social networking, or even better, if you share mutual friends online, you can look them up and verify that they aren’t trying to “catfish” you by creating fake profiles on social networks.

6. Do Not Give Out Personal Information.

Never share your personal information with someone you haven’t seen in person. This includes credit card details, social security numbers, bank information, and home or work address. Dating apps and websites won’t ever ask for your username/password information.

7. Don’t Respond To Requests For Financial Help.

No matter how persuasive or compelling someone’s reason, don’t respond to any request for money. This is especially true if the request is to send money via wire transfer or overseas. You must immediately notify the app/site you’re using if you receive such a request.

8. Video Chat Is A Great Way To Meet Up Before You Go In Person.

Once you have spoken with potential dates and met them, you may want to schedule a video chat with them before meeting face-to-face. This can be a great way for you to confirm that your match is indeed who they say they are. If they refuse to video call, it could be a sign that there is suspicious activity.

9. Take The Time To Be Smart In Face-To-Face Conversations

It’s okay to fall in love with someone and wish to meet in person. Match.com recommends ending the date at the first opportunity if it is pressured.

Before you travel to meet a virtual date tell your roommate or friend. Tell them who you’re meeting, where you’re going, and when you plan to return home. Plan a safe call: ask a friend to call during the date to make sure that you feel secure. Do not rely on someone you meet online for a ride home. Always drive yourself to and fro.

10. Report And Block Any Suspicious Users

If you feel that a profile is not trustworthy or if they behave in an inappropriate manner towards you, you can block and report the user. This can often happen anonymously after or before you have matched.

As with all personal interactions, it’s possible for people to misrepresent themselves. Listen to your gut feeling about whether or not someone is representing themselves truthfully.

Below is a list of examples of suspicious stories and behaviors that scammers might use to gain sympathy and trust in order to manipulate another user in a dangerous way.

  • A person who asks for financial help in any way. This is often done because they are facing a sudden personal crisis.
  • Claims that they are from the United States. However, they currently live, work, or travel abroad.
  • Claims for a recently widowed couple with children
  • You may disappear suddenly from the site, then reappear under a different name
  • Answers to specific questions in vague terms
  • Your communication should not be overly romantic and complimentary.
  • Pushes you to enter your phone number, or talk outside of the dating app/site
  • You may be asked to send flowers or gifts at your workplace or home.
  • People tell inconsistent or grandiose stories
  • Although he uses disjointed grammar and language, he has high levels of education.

Final thoughts:

If you really want to meet Mr. Right, By meeting more single men, your chances of meeting him are greatly increased. You can also try online dating.

Although it might seem frightening at first, it is possible to get used to it. Remember that dating apps were not available the last time you were single. Only one option was to meet someone face-to-face.

Consider dating apps a benefit. They can connect with you to cool people that you wouldn’t otherwise find.  If the relationship you are in is not satisfying your needs, a detective agency in Delhi may be able to help.

Accepting the changes that are occurring in your relationship will make it more enjoyable, generous, and compassionate. While relationships that are affected by mental illness may be challenging, they can also prove rewarding.

Author Bio

Mr. Baldev Kumar Puri

CHAIRMAN, AMX Detectives – Detective Agency in Delhi

Mr. Baldev Kumar Puri is a professional, Private Detective and investigator experienced in this field for 30 years. He is also a distinguished member of the Association of Private Detectives and Investigators- India. He is working there as the Deputy General Secretary-National.

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