In the interest of being over-prepared when you’re dating a stranger, we’ve collected the latest information about what women can do to keep themselves safe while they’re dating.

Don’t Give a Stranger Personal Details

Does your online dating profile require you say where you were raised, your mother’s maiden name or your school’s name? A stalker or predator can perhaps use this information to find you. Even thinks like where you were born can give someone enough information to Google you through a people-finder and track you down.

Don’t Give out Your Number too Early.

It’s pretty common practice to switch over from a dating site to texting once a flirtation has been going on for a little while, but think twice before you give out your number. A phone is just another link to you and depending on their skills, they cab hack into your phone, track your whereabouts, or continuously text an call you. Remember, once someone has certain information about you, there’s no way you can undo it.

Never Post Identifying Info.

It’s tempting to post photos of your new car, apartment or dogs on social media, but you may not realize just how much those things can reveal. From your license plate numbers, to street names, cities and house numbers, photographs can reveal loads of information.

Avoid Specifics

Chatting about things like your profession, company you work for, schools you went to, or neighborhood you live in are typical online dating small-talk topics, but they’re not that harmless. If you give out specific details, someone could easily find you. It might seem a bit boring and vague, but it’s all in the interest of protecting yourself. Just talk about something else instead.

Google Someone if You’re Unsure

If your date had a record and you found out, would you still date him or her? We tend to show only our best side when getting to know someone. A simple Google search can reveal information you don’t know, assuming it’s the right person. You could also try an advanced search. If you find the correct details, match what they’ve been telling you to that.

Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover

There’s a lot you can learn from someone’s photos and a lot can mislead you as well. Everyone’s nice on the first fate – even psychopaths. A nice smile and polite small talk demeanor doesn’t mean that person’s a completely nice, law-abiding citizen.

Meet in Public for the First Few Dates

When you first meet and go on dates with someone, you might want to meet in public spaces. Think about parks, restaurants, shops, the art gallery or any public place. Avoid areas which are dark, secluded or confined. While it may be romantic, there might not be someone around if you need help.

Always Pick the Place Yourself

Never let your date pick the place, as it could be prearranged. You never want to give a potential criminal the advantage. The chances of this happening are slim, but it only takes one person with hidden bad intentions to harm you.

Never Lead Someone on.

Stalking situations can happen through no fault of your own, but usually develops after a relationship has begun. For some people, a simple peck on the cheek is enough to make them think you love them. It’s impossible to know what’s inside someone’s head and heart.

Trust Your Gut

If your instincts are telling you something is wrong, believe them.If you think someone has lied to you, you’re probably right. If you overlook it, you may end up regretting it later. Trying to make it feel right is a risk not worth taking.

Tell People About the Date.

Always tell a close friend or family member where you’re going, who you’re with, and check in with your friends or family during the date. Also, give them an idea of when you’ll be back and make sure to alert them when the date is over. This just adds another layer of safety to any date you go on with a stranger.

Watch Your Alcohol

Obviously we mean it that you don’t drink too much but you should also watch your glass closely. It’s wise to keep an eye out to ensure nobody adds anything unexpected to it. If you can’t finish a drink before going to the bathroom, ask the waiter to take it away. It might be a little awkward in the moment, but it’s better than downing drugs without your knowledge.

Have a “Gotta Go!” Excuse Ready.

Don’t be afraid to leave a date prematurely if the other person is making you uncomfortable. Work on your excuse before meeting up for the date, and practice what you’ll say if you decide your date is too creepy and would like to leave early. It’s best to avoid spending more face time with someone who’s giving you a bad feeling and get out of there.

Not Interested? Don’t be Afraid to Go “Off the Grid”

After you tell someone you’re not interested, never take their calls, texts or emails again. Continually responding to messages, even just to say know, might seem like a challenge to them. Just ignore them, drop out of reach – it’s not rude, just a clear signal to back off.

The article Online Dating Tips that could Save Your Life appeared first on Dating Online and Meet IRL.

A catfish is someone who is someone who is impersonating another by using social media and other ways to create false identities. They use these identities to pursue deceptive and destructive online relationships.

All of us generally make jokes about serial killers or just about anything but the risk of running into an online dating “catfish” is far greater. You might think you’re chatting to someone famous or rich but in reality, it might just be another Average Joe trying to scam you out of your life-savings.

Catfish warning signs.

There are a few ways to detect a catfish before you’re dragged into a deep, dark abyss full of heartache and suffering.

1. The individuals picture looks a bit outdated or just roughed up.
2. One or two photos on an online dating profile doesn’t make a lot of sense if the person is supposed to be hot.
3. All of the photos are taken from strange angles to put the person into perfect light.
4. The person seems too eager in comparison to the beauty they portray.

Researching a catfish:

Researching someone online is relatively quick and easy. Facebook is a great place to start. If your so-called “catfish” has a few profiles across multiple social media platforms, it’ll be a snap to find it.

Here are a few ways for you to get the info:

1. Ask the person if they have Facebook. People are more open to friendships on Facebook and they use it for just about anything. Just set up an account with a limit as to the information you display. Before you add the the person, dig through the profile. It’s the easiest way to find out a bit more.
2. Google the Username your partner is using. People tend to use the same account details across multiple websites.
3. Take one of the images and run it through Google’s image search and see if something turns up.
4. Try search strings on Facebook such as the person’s name and city like: “Women named Michelle who lives in Los Angeles.” You can also try different phrases but it depends on the information you have.
5. If you have the individual’s email address, you can run a search for that as well.

How do you escape from a catfish?

Take a bit of advice from women on this. It’s not uncommon for a friend to phone about an hour or two into a date. The idea is for you to make a somewhat graceful exit without stirring up a hornet’s nest.

Will your date realize you’re lying?

If the person is a catfish then there’s no problem. It’s not like there’s a major problem in finding dates. Your escape plan isn’t meant to draw suspicion away but it’s more about your safety and it allows both of you a chance to save face.
Please note that the catfish is the one who misrepresented themselves, so you have nothing to feel guilty about.

How do you determine the truth from the lies?

It’s not a sure-fire way but being straightforward is the best option. There are numerous ways for you to get the truth in a friendly, lighthearted manner.

The one way is to ask the person about the authenticity of their images. Make sure you get the right message out but also make it clear that you want an honest answer.

Another way to catch a catfish is by making up a bogus story about a bad experience from meeting someone who didn’t live up to their profile. If this individual is misrepresenting themselves, they might get nervous, give themselves away or simply pull a disappearing act.

When in doubt, get a glimpse.

Using a program such as Skype or your Gmail’s video calling can get you a quick video chat before you meet up. There are, however, two major problems here. It might create a bit of a barrier to meet-up with this person and any awkwardness might make the catfish disappear. Always keep it short and sweet.

Your first date offline.

A first date with someone you’ve met online, should always be low-pressure. Never try to go for the whole dinner and a movie thing right away. It displays a bit too much expectation in someone you do not know yet.

Something brief and calm such as a cup of coffee or a cocktail will send a message that you won’t be staying long. Most individuals will know you’ll go somewhere else after the meeting but it also gives you the opportunity to make an excuse your date is not what you expected.

This type of approach will generally make a good-looking person more prone to accepting. A little white lie can also help you.

Don’t let the whole idea of a catfish, scare you off and make you throw away your chance at finding love. It won’t hurt you to put in a little bit of thought into the matter. “Expect the unexpected,” as they say. With these simple tips, you can get out there without worrying about a thing. Just keep your eyes and ears open at all time.

The article Fishing for catfish appeared first on Dating Online and Meet IRL.

So what are the general online dating safety tips?

Verify his or her online presence:

Use a search engine to verify his or her identity. You can also find out if the person has more than one online dating profile. Search the email address and you will be surprised how much information you get.

Let others know where you will be:

Let your date know that you have told someone where you will be. You can also give your date’s phone number to a friend. There is nothing wrong with being being blunt and telling your date that you have taken precautions. If you cannot just outright say it, slip it into a conversation. Use an excuse such as a family emergency or something.

Trust your instincts:

Trust your gut feeling. Your intuition should always override and and all check lists. When someone tries to intimidate or embarrass you into a decision, it should be a flare going off. These decisions will most likely be something you are not prepared to make. If you request a meeting at a public place and your date refuses, just bail. There is clearly something going on.

Let your friend also check out the person:

Send your date’s contact information and any other information to at least two of your friends. You can even ask your friends to provide you with some feedback. It’s always nice to get a second opinion.

Verify his or her employment:

If your date claims he or she is employed, attempt to verify it. You can look on Google Maps and phone them on the number provided. It will put your mind at ease by confirming their honesty. It would be best to verify any information your receive. If you cannot get an address or phone number, your date may be a lier or a scam artist.

The article Online Dating Safety Tips appeared first on Dating Online and Meet IRL.