10 Online Dating Safety Tips For Seniors

Seniors represent the fasting growing demographic population
online. To assist in their online dating choices, I have listed
ten important safety tips to remember when joining an online
dating community.

1)

Other than what state you reside in, please keep your specific
information to yourself as you meet your new friends. There may
be unsavory characters who will try to trick you into revealing
your part of the state or which town you reside in. Do not
divulge that information until you feel sure it is safe. The
decision should feel comfortable for you.

2)

Keep your private email PRIVATE! A lot of people want to join
an online dating community, but not pay for the privilege of
getting to know you. Many online dating communities ARE FREE to
JOIN, but free members cannot contact other members of the site.
The safety in becoming a paying member of an online dating
website is we have your REAL information. Should it ever be
necessary, we can track down anyone who has paid for a
membership. This ensures your safety. Don’t be misled by phony
people who are on the FREE ride. That makes them cheap and who
needs a cheap date? Of course, there are some people who “test
the waters” before joining and I am not referring to those
folks. I am referring to the people who put their throw away
emails in their ads and ask that you contact them off the
website. This means you have now given someone you don’t know
your real email address unless you too create a throwaway email
address.

3)

Please post pictures that are current and be truthful about
your age. Current is a year or less. You want people to be
honest with you. Give that honesty FIRST!

4)

Take your time developing your Profile. Many people tend to
gloss over the narrative (hobbies, interests and activities,
etc) but that is what will make you stand out from the crowd.
Write it in Word first and then copy into the dating profile.
This way you can read for grammar and typos that show up when
someone just wings it.

5)

Define the kind of relationship you are seeking. If you are
looking for a companion but don’t want to be married SAY SO!
That way you won’t meet a wonderful person who is looking for a
husband or wife. Just be honest about what you seek. And give
yourself the option to change your mind.

6)

BEWARE of those people who ask you a lot of questions about
your life, and lifestyle but offer little of substance in
return. It would be a smart thing to have a folder where you
store all email correspondence and keep track of what your
potential new friend says and has said. Any inconsistencies are
RED FLAGS. Please do not ignore them! Many people have
signatures attached to their emails. Turn this feature off if
it contains information such as a job phone number or a company
name (even if you are self employed).

7)

No one should ask for personal information! Not ever! Email
relationships tend to take on a life of their own. You can and
do get a good feel for people but con artists DO prey on
seniors citizens. Let the information flow, but pay attention
to what you divulge, and how soon you give up personal
information. Your finances and or financial situation are
strictly off limits. Anyone who dares asks such information
should be cut off and reported to the website monitors. They
can handle the situation, as they deem necessary.

8)

You should use a cell number as a contact number until you
REALLY get to know someone well. That would be more than one
date.

Remember, SAFETY FIRST!

This might seem to be a pain but think for a moment. If your
home phone number is listed, anyone can look it up online using
a reverse directory. With that info they can get directions to
your HOME! Keep your home number private for as long as you
need to verify all the information on your new friend.

9)

First dates can be wonderful ways to finally meet your new
friend and what I will tell you is the same as you have heard
before. ALWAYS meet in public in a place where there is ample
parking close to the entrance. Make sure someone knows where
you are and have him or her call you a few minutes after your
meeting time to ensure you arrived safely. It will also let the
other person know that someone knows where you are and whom you
are meeting. Have this same person verify your safe return home
or meet them at another public place not far from your original
meeting place. Coffee or lunch dates are a great way to start a
new friendship.

10)

TAKE YOUR TIME! Online dating is fun and should be an
enjoyable, safe way to meet people in your own time from the
safety and comfort of your home. Don’t rush into a relationship
but let it move as slowly as you need to be comfortable. LISTEN
to your gut feelings on your potential new friends. Have fun
and good luck in your search for a special friend or potential
partner!