ONLINE DATING SAFETY TIPS

Online dating is one of the best ways to meet all kinds of new people; from friends to soul mates. We want you to have the best experience possible from when you initiate online dating until you find your perfect Dream.

Some general rules are:

• Trust your feelings and intuition
• Protect Your Privacy. Never share personal information with anyone you don't know
• Never share financial information
• Be aware of others misrepresenting themselves
• Be careful meeting people locally or long distance

Trust Your Feelings and Intuition

Your future soul mate could be on this site but go slowly when you connect online. Use common sense and always be a little bit suspicious.

As you chat through e-mail and start to learn more about a person, you may find characteristics of the other person that you question. Do they avoid questions? Do they seem to get upset too easily? Don't ever feel pressured to provide more information than you feel comfortable giving.

Take time to get to know a person. You may be tempted to meet the person right away but take enough time to make sure a person is genuine.

Protect your Privacy. Never Share Personal Information With Someone You Don't Know

Be wary of others misrepresenting themselves. People may make false claims, not share important details about themselves, post outdated photographs, or create profiles that are not their own. These are clues that indicate a person is trying to hide something and could violate the site's Terms of Service agreed to by all members.

The site provides you with an anonymous way to email while on the site. Avoid anything that could identify you when you select your username. Do not include your last name, address, workplace, phone number, or any other identifying information when communicating on the site. This information could provide ways to track who you are.

What to watch for? Look for inconsistencies in what is written or evasiveness in responses to questions you ask. For example, if you are suspicious about a photo you see in someone's profile, ask the person to add another recent photo.

Also remember to protect your online access information. If you access your account from a public or shared computer, make sure others can't view and record your personal information.

Never Share Financial Information

Don't ever send money to someone you meet online, especially by wire transfer as there is no protection against loss. Even if someone claims to have an emergency or a true personal need, don't do it. Use good sense and good judgment.

This good sense and good judgment carries over to other financial information. Don't give out your credit card info or bank info.

Report any suspicious behavior immediately through Customer Support. We want you to have a positive, safe environment for meeting new people. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety.

Be Aware of Others Misrepresenting Themselves

We do not conduct background searches or criminal screenings of our members. There is no attempt on our part to verify information provided by our members. If you want to seek information yourself, there are internet search vehicles available that can help you learn more about another member of interest.

The following activities are considered violations of the Terms of Service that every member of the site has agreed to:

• Minor under the age of 18 utilizing the site
• Person having felony conviction or any criminal offense characterized as sexual being on the site
• Person who intimidates, harasses, or stalks any other site member
• Person who impersonates another individual
• Person misrepresenting age or identity
• Person requesting money or financial information
• Person who publishes, posts, uploads, transmits, distributes or disseminates content that is considered offensive or objectionable

Any user can be blocked. If there is a serious offense committed such as those named above that violate the Terms of Service, contact Customer Support immediately. You can reach Customer Support on any site page. We want to keep the site fun and have your use of the site result in a positive experience for you.

Be Careful Meeting People Locally or Long Distance

When you meet locally:

• Always meet in public. You are safer in a populated location when compared to a remote location.
• Always stay in a public place. Don't be tempted or feel pressured to go back to your date's home or bring them to yours. Stay in the safer public location.
• Drive yourself to and from the first meeting. This goes with keeping your personal information, including your home and work address, confidential. And if you are not enjoying the meeting, you can easily leave.
• Tell a friend or family member where you are going and who you are meeting with.
• Don't leave your personal items unattended. Remember; it's all about keeping the personal information confidential until you know the person better.
• Stay sober. You don't want to make any decisions that you may later regret.

When you meet long distance:

• Lodging:
  • Stay at a hotel or with a good friend you know in the area.
  • DO NOT stay at your date's home.
  • Keep your lodging information confidential.
  • Keep your family and friends posted on where you are staying.
• Transportation:
  • Use your own, or rented, transportation to get to and from your public meeting place.
  • You should not get into a personal vehicle with someone you've never met.
  • Keep your family and friends posted on where you are meeting.

Remember to trust your feelings and intuition. Use common sense and always be a little bit suspicious.

If you follow these safety guidelines, it is our hope that you meet many wonderful people, and hopefully, your "dream person." So stay safe and have fun!

Last revised: 1/9/12