One of the most challenging aspect in the life of an immigrant is finding love in a country where they do not a large network of personal connections. In an era where more and more aspects of our lives have been affected by the internet, for both better and worse, it’s only natural that we look towards it to help us find love.
There are lots of internet dating sites out there, and most of them are full of honest individuals. Scores of people all over the world use them regularly to find their ideal partner, and many of them succeed. However, there is an element that uses such sites with the intent of taking advantage of people who are perhaps vulnerable emotionally.
At this time of year, those who are looking for love can feel alone, but it’s important to remain vigilant when using dating sites. Here are five tips to ensure that you enjoy a positive experience when looking for love online.
Meeting in Person
Although certain precautions should be taken whenever you meet someone you don’t know for the first time, this is the best way of making sure that the person you are talking to online is who they say they are. The majority of scams carried out online are done so by individuals who operate at a distance, so if you’re contacted by someone on a dating site who claims to be thousands of miles away you should proceed with caution. Someone local who is willing to meet up with you in a public place is more likely to be genuine in most cases.
Keep Your Personal Data Private
This should go without saying, but whenever you interact with someone on a dating site or any other online platform, you should keep personal data out of the conversation. No one should have any reason to know exactly where you live, your social security or bank account number or even your phone number. Try to avoid revealing any sensitive information about yourself as well, as a scam artist can use this against you by way of blackmail.
All they need to know about you initially should be already available to them on the dating site, so be wary of anyone who asks for further information.
Beware Of Expressions Of Intimacy
If someone on a dating site professes to have feelings for you before really getting to know you, then you should be careful. A scam artist will usually follow up such expressions of feeling by trying to exploit you in some way. This can involve asking for money to assist them in travelling to meet you, asking for help for a sick or disabled loved one and so on.
Be vigilant if anyone comes across in this manner online, especially when they don’t know you all that well.
Check Out Their Profile
Most scammers will use false details when registering with a dating site, and this usually includes a fake profile picture. If the guy or girl in the photo looks too good to be true, then they probably are!
If the person behind the scam is seeking to draw in as many victims as possible, they’ll use a profile picture that will attract a lot of attention, so beware if you think the person seems too good to be true. You can also do your own research, such as checking to see if they have linked a social media profile. If they have, how authentic does it look?
Most scam accounts won’t be able to stand up to a bit of scrutiny, so be as thorough as possible.
Observe Their Grasp Of Language
If the person you’re speaking to online claims to be from an English-speaking country but doesn’t seem to have a good grasp of the language, beware. Unfortunately, a lot of scammers originate from Africa and some of the poorer parts of Europe, so their grasp of English may not be great. Pay close attention to sentence structure and spelling. If anything seems out of place, proceed with caution.
The truth is, dating sites can be an excellent way to meet someone who shares similar interests, and has worked for a lot of people who have gone on to find the person of their dreams. A little bit of caution and vigilance can ensure that you enjoy a pleasant experience, rather than becoming another statistic.
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