Readers Respond: Have online dating safety tips you want to share?

Responses: 9

From Sharon O'Brien, former About.com Guide

See More About:

Do you have online dating safety tips you would like to share? Help others learn from your online dating experiences.

When meeting someone, meet in a public place, but make it a large public place like a shopping mall. When leaving your first meeting with this person, tell this person that you are going to do a little shopping and then actually go around to several stores (make sure this person is not following you) before you go out to your car. Also, when walking out to your call, look around to make sure this person is not just driving around the mall waiting for you to come out! If you decide to meet up with the person again, always tell the person that you will meet at the designated place and do the same routine of parking far enough away and leaving alone to go to your car. You need to do this until you feel comfortable seeing this person. Also, keep doing all your contact through the dating site until you feel comfortable and still always let someone know where you are going.
—Guest Liz Robertson

Before giving out any real identifying information about yourself, meet in person at in a busy public place. If you need to make a call first, use Skype or something else that can be anonymous.
—Guest Gary

I had one guy text pictures of his penis for two days straight. My cell service will not allow me to block my number so I don't give it out.
—Guest BeeBeeBaby

I am on a singles site - have met a couple of nice guys - BUT - always tell someone where you are going and when you come home - call that person so they know you are safe - this is a rule I have with one of my friends - always let her know where I'm going an call her as soon as I get in - Number One - BE SAFE!
—Guest Jan

I am on a Singles Web site and have met a few nice guys - ALWAYS meet at a resturant - like I do - or even Wal-Mart where I met one guy. And ALWAYS tell someone where you are going! I am happy with online dating - I have had a lot of luck - as at my age 65 - its hard to meet anyone. Good luck to everyone!!!!!
—Guest Janet

I've met a number of very nice gentlemen online, and did meet several in person for coffee dates; very casual, safe. One fellow came on like gangbusters. He was charming, funny, well-educated and my perfect match. Or so I thought. It turned out he has Borderline Personality Disorder, lies compulsively, and meets a new "soul mate" with alarming frequency. We dated very briefly, but several months later he was still stalking me--and from what I've been told, he may randomly show up in my life for years. Stick to all your safety rules, and go very, very slowly. If he or she is truly "the ONE" they will be after several months or a year. Also, if the other person claims to share all your interests, probe to see just how deep those interests really go...
—Guest Chipper

Online dating can be a great way to find romance--I met my wife online--but the secret is to go slow and trust your instincts. One benefit of online dating is that it lets you get to know a person before getting tangled up in physical appearance or sexual chemistry. Use that advantage and take time to get to know someone before arranging a face-to-face meeting. And if something doesn't feel right at any step along the way, pay attention to those feelings. You can always cut things off and go check out some other profiles.
—Guest Poetryman

I tell at least one friend where I'm going and who I'll be with, and I ask someone to call my cell to check on me at a certain time. This also helps to get me out of bad dates faster. :-)
—Guest Gerri