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Your Life is at Stake, So Please Exercise Caution!

By: Dolores Jameson

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Cyberspace is now the new hangout when it comes to finding romance or just hooking up . As a result, many individuals have begun relationships online with people they have not met and know little about.

With so many people communicating via the Net and deciding to go out with virtual strangers, it is critical to be safe and be smart. Common sense can go a long way to keep you safe. As in anything in life, you will need basic tips such as these:

Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true.
Take advantage of electronic mail or chat or facebook to get a feel first. Be vigilant in noticing abnormal behavior or inconsistencies. If someone is evasive, this is a red flag. "Pay attention" to your correspondent's words. Always keep in mind that the other party might not be what they say they are. Go with your instincts. If you are not comfortable at the start, the best thing is to walk right away.

Information on the person is key.
Learn to ask many questions. Do a check list on your side to get basic info on stuff like where he works or where he grew up. These are clues to finding out who this person really is. If you detect uncertainty in giving personal info, then that is a red flag. Probe any discrepancies in their stories. As you ask your questions, if you see that there is hesitancy in getting the answers, be careful. At all times err on the side of safety.

It is best to be honest from the get go.
Represent yourself accurately. Exaggerating or deceiving is easy online. Be honest about the basic things such as marital status and how you look. You can start by exchanging pics. If someone is unwilling to send a current picture, this is warning sign. If he or she continuously comes up with an excuse, it is because that person has something to hide. Having a scanned photo is easily available, so there is no valid excuse for not doing it. After you have exchanged pictures, continue to fill in the gaps, so that the other person does not create you in their image. Keep it honest.

Talk on the phone and continue to learn more about your correspondent.
Talking reveals valuable information about a person's temperament and quirks. It is worth the cost of the call to protect your security. Try to be stingy on giving out your phone to anyone you are not comfortable with. Take your time to see if a trusting bond is there. Only when you feel completely comfortable should you give your phone number.

Take your time, take your time.
Setting up a date after just meeting anyone online is both stupid and dangerous. Take time to find out who this person really is. If someone is pressuring you to get together before you are ready, this is another warning sign. If something feels strange as you get to know this person, then it is time to back away and look for another match.

If there are no red flags and you decide to meet, just proceed with care and dictate the terms of the first meeting. The following is a guide to ensure that you have a safe encounter:

1. Make sure a friend or anyone close to you knows where you are going and when you will be back from this first date. Leave your date's full name and telephone numbers with that person and write it down. For a small fee, you can leave information regarding where you are going and all the pertinent details with a service called SmartDate at smartdate-dot-com. If your date wants you to keep it secret, this is a very big red flag. Protect yourself!
2. Keep the location of the first date in a public place. It must be where there are other folks and preferably well lit. Go out for coffee, make it casual, it's a good and safe way to test the waters.
3. Very important - Do not let him pick you up where your live. For obvious reasons, letting a stranger know where you live is not to your best interest. Try to have your own transportation, so if it does not work, your exit strategy is simpler.
4. On this first date, reconcile what your date told you online to see if he was honest to begin with. If you find out that your date has lied about anything, this is another red flag.
5. Do not bring your date back to your house after the first meeting. Remember that you are out with almost a virtual stranger. Let your common sense rule.

Be smart and be safe. Be in control. Know what you are getting into before you invest your heart, money, or your life. Information about the other person is the key!

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Dolores is a student who is also promoting a varied collection of web sites on the side. If you are looking for a place with the best selection and pricing on baby halloween costumes or if you are one of the lucky few with an ipad and is just looking for the ideal ipad case , try visiting her sites.

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