Tips for Avoiding Online Dating Scams

by Find-Dates-Online.com

While online dating has become quite mainstream, helping millions of people find love using the convenience and power of the Internet, there is also a darker side to online dating. According to the Better Business Bureau, online dating scams are listed as one of the top 10 online scams. While the list mentions Internet worms as a method used by scammers to collect personal data, the fact is that there are plenty of other ways in which you can be scammed using online dating sites.

dating scamsTo best protect yourself, it behooves you to find out how popular online dating scams work. There are plenty of articles on the Internet that will familiarize you with the techniques used by scammers, and you should read a few of them to get up to speed.

In addition, you should follow these simple tips to minimize any chance of becoming a victim:

  1. Stick to well-known, reputable sites like Match.com and eHarmony
    Some sites do background checks on members and have filters to detect fraudulent profiles. Most sites will state what their exact policy is, but if you have any doubts, send an email to customer service to inquire about their policies.

  2. Do a background check on anyone you are planning to meet
    There are sites that allow you to check the background of any individual, but you will likely have to pay a fee. You can alternatively do a Google search on their name. Last but not least, go to online databases for sex offenders and search the person's name.

  3. Watch out for anyone claiming to be from overseas
    This includes people who say they are in the military and stationed overseas. Scammers often claim to be overseas to avoid having to meet in person.

  4. Don't send messages outside of the online dating site's internal mail system
    An online scammer will often try to get you to communicate with them outside of the online dating site's internal messaging system to avoid being detected. Until you get to know someone well, do not email them outside of the dating site's internal system, and don't give out your real e-mail address.

  5. Don't respond to pleas for financial help
    One popular scam involves developing an email relationship, then asking for money because of some fictitious emergency such as a death or illness in the family. Avoid anyone who asks for financial help in any way, shape, or form.