First of all your instinct is a powerful medium for knowing when something doesn't feel right. It is also a great way to measure when to move forward with someone and when to turn and run. As you read profiles, responses to emails, have phone conversations, and meet in person your instincts help tell you if something is "right" or if something is out of alignment. The "out of alignment" message is your cue to be careful, back off, or proceed with extreme caution. Trust your gut instinct, it's the most powerful psychological tool you have at your disposal.

Bear in mind, guys - some online dating services claim to offer "background checks" and when signing up for such a service you may find it easier to let your guard down. Don't. Laws differ from state-to-state when it comes to background checks and there are even several states where checks can't be effectively performed. Because of the inconsistency, criminals/wrong doers can and do get into services that do "background checks". Never let your guard down.

If the person you meet online is flooding you with e-mails or messages and you have only just started talking, this is not a good sign. You're not deeply involved with this person. You want to take things slow when you're getting to know someone, and this rule is no different when talking to people through dating Web sites.

Take advantage of the member-to-member technology utilized on Match.com that protects your identity until YOU choose to reveal it. This technology works on all email and IM, as well as matchTalk, which allows you to talk on the phone with someone without revealing your phone number.

And don't forget to block any member who behaves or treats you in an abusive way and report the behavior to Match.com immediately. Stop communicating immediately with anyone who pressures you for personal or financial information. You can block and report concerns or terms of use violations from any profile page, from your email or IM window. Your involvement will help keep the community fun and enjoyable.

Just NEVER, NEVER forget that there are a lot of creepy people out there and some of them can hide it very well. So keep your guard up for awhile. As they say hope for the best but be prepared for the worst :)

it goes without saying that safety is one of the most important issues concerning dating, and not only online. But I think that all these instructions a little bit exaggerate about all the terrible consequences of your light-minded behaviour. There are not so many pervets and maniacs, really. Just relax and take it easy, but of course it doesn't mean you shouldn't be cautious at all.

LOL - it sounds really funny, but in life everything can be much more complicated... I would suggest everyone tell someone where you are going and who with. Arrange to ring your friend by a certain time to confirm you are safe, if you don't ring your friend should contact you. Your first meeting should be in a public place and it is wise not to tell him/her where you live until you feel safe.

Don't get in the car with him alone. Ask to see his driver's license that tells his home address and whether he's just passing through. If he asks to see yours tell him you don't have it with you because you got a ride. You don't want him to know where you live, not yet.

Don't assume that the person who chats to you on the computer screen will be the same person in real life. The single executive you chat with who says he has a body fat rating of 18 percent and works out every day could very well be unemployed, overweight, married, and have several children. And if you do get a photo, remember that it might not be current...or accurate.

For me this question is of urgent importance, as I've heard a lot of real life stories of my friends who've got into troubles because of their light-minsness, so I never invite any guys to my house, I never tell them my address, I never drink on first dates, and always tell my friends where and at what time I'm going to go. And I'm not a paranoid - I'm just a cautious girl :)

First of all we have to get to know each other better before meeting offline - it will definitely help to avoid disappointment later. Everything you need when you are already on a date - is just to relax, just fix a date in a public place where you can feel safe - and that's it. No one will like if you call your friends all the time and tell them you are ok, no one will appreciate if you come to a date with a support team of friends - just take it a little bit easier =)

I'm so afraid of rejection, that I play it cool with men I really am smitten by, because the possibility of falling in love, then losing them is so frightening, I'd rather play it safe with someone I just enjoy, but who couldn't hurt me by rejecting me.

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.

Here are the things that I learned: 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. BE SAFE!!! Slow is the way to go 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. :-)

I would like to add some pros and cons of online dating from myself!

I would like to share some pros and cons of online dating with you guys! Pros: Online Dating Offers Lots of Choices Online Dating is Relatively Inexpensive Online Dating Profiles are a Fun Way to Learn About People Online Dating Makes It Easy to Connect CONS: Beware of Free Online Dating Ads Online Dating Costs Money Pictures Can Lie People Can Lie Too

Photos are often an important component of online dating profiles. Unfortunately, some people post photos that were taken many years ago, or that are extremely flattering and not very true-to-life. If you remind yourself that he probably doesn't look as good as his photo, you won't be disappointed.

In an effort to get more responses, or in some cases to deliberately mislead, some people lie in their online dating profiles. Don't believe everything you read-if he sounds too good to be true, he probably is.

Some sites allow people to post their profiles and respond to others for free, but unfortunately these free sites often attract wierdos or perverts. It's important to check out the site carefully before you join.

Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true. Begin by communicating solely by email, then look for odd behavior or inconsistencies. The person at the other end may not be who or what he says he is. Trust your instincts. If anything makes you uncomfortable, walk away for your safety and protection.

ake sure all contact on a member site takes place through a double-blind system, ensuring your true identity is protected until you decide to reveal it. Never include your last name, home address, phone number, place of employment, email address or any other identifying information in your profile or initial messages. When corresponding with someone, turn off your email signature file. Stop communicating with anyone who puts pressure on you for personal information or attempts in any way to trick you into revealing it.

A photo will give you a good idea of the person’s appearance, which may prove helpful in achieving a gut feeling. In fact, it’s best to view several images of someone in various settings: casual, formal, indoor and outdoors. If all you hear are excuses about why you can’t see a photo, consider that he has something to hide.

A phone call can reveal much about a person’s communication and social skills. Consider your security and do not reveal your phone number to a stranger. Try a cell phone number instead or use local telephone blocking techniques to prevent your phone number from appearing on a Caller ID. Give out your phone number ONLY when you feel completely comfortable.

The beauty of meeting someone online is that you can collect information gradually, later choosing whether to pursue the relationship in the offline world. You never are obligated to meet anyone, regardless of your level on online intimacy. And even if you decide to arrange a meeting, you always have the right to change your mind. It’s possible that your decision to keep the relationship anonymous is based on a hunch that you can’t logically explain. Trust yourself. Go with your instincts

Pay attention to displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts to pressure or control you. Acting in a passive-aggressive manner, making demeaning or disrespectful comments or any physically inappropriate behavior are all red flags. You should be concerned if your date exhibits any of the following behavior without providing an acceptable explanation: Provides inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, etc. Refuses to speak to you on the phone after establishing ongoing, online intimacy. Fails to provide direct answers to direct questions. Appears significantly different in person from his or her online persona. Never introduces you to friends, professional associates or family members.

When you choose to meet offline, always tell friends where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date's name and telephone number with a friend. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home. Provide your own transportation, meet in a public place at a time with many people around (a familiar restaurant or coffee house is often a good choice), and when the date is over, leave on your own as well. Refrain from drinking excessively, as it could weaken your ability to make good decisions. If at some point you and your date decide to move to another location, take your own car. When the timing is right thank your date for getting together and say goodbye

If you plan to fly in from another city, arrange for your own car and hotel room. Do not make known the name of your hotel and never allow your date to make arrangements for you. Get a rental car at the airport and drive directly to your hotel. Always call your date from the hotel. You can also check out the location you both agreed to meet at ahead of time to see exactly where it is and to get more familiar with an area . If the location seems inappropriate or unsafe, go back to your hotel. Try to contact your date at that location or leave a message on an answering machine. Always make sure a friend or family member knows your plans and has your contact information. And carry a cell phone at all times.

Never arrange to meet someone you've only ever previously met on the Internet by yourself. You should arrange to meet in a public place (preferably not close to where you live) and take along a trusted friend or family member.

The most important fact to remember is that you are in control. No one should ever pressure you into revealing anything about yourself that you want to keep private. If someone does, they are not respecting your boundaries and are probably not worth contacting further.

Some really nice tips flowing in.. :)

Do not ever give money to someone you only know from online conversations. Scammers get into all kinds of dating websites and forum-based websites and will give you a hard-luck story about how badly they need money. This is almost certainly a scam. Please believe me!

For the first meeting I strongly recommend that you bring a friend with you. Make it a double date!

Use common sense. If you get a bad "vibe" maybe it's time to end the date.

Always be aware of the personal information you're revealing to a date. Be careful!

I have some online tips for the starters! Before you start dating online, ensure your computer is 100% secure and does not put you and your information at risk Choosing a good password is essential. An easily compromised password could result in your account being hijacked and worse still, the hacker could use your details for ID theft as well. Set up a new email account for online dating that will be separate from all personal and work accounts. That way you'll keep track of online dating communication and be able to easily isolate any unwanted or inappropriate content. Make sure your real name isn't included in your email address and check that any signatures are switched off

A reputable and reliable dating service will provide you with additional safety and security. Do your research and choose a dating service that not only meets your needs but provides you with a certain amount of peace of mind as well. When wanting to portray the best possible image of yourself it’s tempting to change a few personal details such as height and weight. However it’s important to remember that while online daters will be interested in your appearance hardly anyone is looking for the next Kate Moss or Brad Pitt. The vast majority of people use online dating to find someone with similar interests and attitudes so don’t feel the need to ‘tweak’ information about your age, height, weight or occupation. Telling little white lies will only be detrimental in the long run by making you feel uncomfortable about getting to know someone or meeting them in person. Be clear and confident when describing what you're looking for in a partner. The millions of people using online dating services all want to meet someone but don't want to waste their time or yours. If you're looking for particular attributes such as ethnicity, religious persuasion or an interest in sports then say so! To maximize your chances of finding that special someone through online dating make sure they know you're looking for them! Once you have joined a dating site, it is important to continue to keep your details secure because the search has only just started. GOOD LUCK!

Hi! I have some really wonderful tips for your computer's security. Use Anti Virus and Firewall Using a computer without an anti virus is like living in a house with no locks – it is unsafe. If your computer does not have an anti virus installed, before you start your online dating experience, it would be best to invest in a reputable anti virus product. The operating system you use on your computer must be regularly updated or your computer will not be equipped to handle the latest threats. Is your computer connected to the internet via a wireless network? If yes, you need to be doubly sure you are well protected. The importance of good passwords cannot be stressed enough.

EMAIL SECURITY! USE Separate Email To ensure your inbox is well protected, most email providers like Hotmail or Yahoo! will ask you to choose one or two security questions when you set up your email address. These security questions are designed to help you reset your password if you should ever forget it. it is important to keep certain security concerns in mind. Always be mindful of what your security questions are and be sure never to include that information in your profile. So, if your security question asks for your pet's name, remember not to put your pet's name in your dating profile for all to see – you will only be making it easier for the hacker. Keeping your details secret is absolutely vital because fraudsters can use even a little bit of information about you to their advantage. While it is common sense not to give out your password to anyone, many of us don't think before answering other questions someone might ask us online. Be fully aware of what your security questions are and never divulge that information to anyone.

Always choose a reputable dating service and keep these things in mind: Confidentiality Database Size Online Repute Contact Details

While creating a profile online keep the following things in mind: Use an Appropriate Username Increase Password Protection Keep Personal Details Personal Do Not Give Away Too Much

Dating service tips: Chat Safe Safe Phone Calls Be aware Of Married Individuals & Cheaters Keep Your Emotional Safety Intact Beware of Stalkers

If someone gives you their personal email address, phone number or snail mail address you are not obliged to use it. You are certainly not obliged to reciprocate. Take a direct approach by saying "Thanks for giving me your details but I'd rather communicate through the online dating service". It is important to guard your identity and personal details at all times when using online dating services. While you don't have to wear a fake moustache and dark glasses every time you sit down at the computer, you should keep your full name, address, phone number and specific details of your place of work confidential if you have just met online. Communicating with people from other towns, states and countries will introduce you to an exciting new world but one in which things can easily be lost in translation. It's important to be aware of cultural, religious and political differences and sensitivities. Be cautious when discussing things you've heard about someone else's country or national character; stereotypes often cause offense and even distress. Ask for a series of photos from different times in your online dating partner's life. This will build a better understanding of who they are while ensuring that the photo posted with their profile is actually them. It's an unfortunate fact of reality that some people use the internet to create new identities, often for unsavory reasons. If your online dating partner is getting themselves stuck in a web of lies be extremely cautious.

Be suspicious of online dating acquaintances who profess their love for you after just a few emails or instant messages; love is generally an acquired feeling. Claiming instant, undying love for someone is a ploy often used by scammers who prey on the emotions of online dating users. If you encounter any of the following do not hesitate to report the offender: Offensive behavior such as racism Unwelcome sexual advances Spam or solicitation (someone trying to sell something) Fraudulent profile or photo Finding that an online dating member is underage Requests for money or material goods Anything that makes you uncomfortable or suspicious

Ребят а по русски кто нибудь здесь говорит? Do you Speak russia?