Silent Victims

Internet dating has drawbacks that aren't often mentioned.
The practice has been glamorized and encouraged everywhere
from commercials to major motion pictures. Even the radio
features ads from dating services that promise an end to
loneliness for good.

One faucet of this practice is seldom highlighted or
mentioned. Men are also victimized by these dating sites as
are women. Men have been robbed, assaulted, and some have
even died from encounters with "women" met online. They
range of these reports is widely varied. Some predators
target homosexual individuals, some target the elderly, and
others target men in general.

Why don't these incidents receive the attention they
deserve? It could be any number of factors. The internet
dating industry is a large one, subscriptions to several
sites can cost a single member a few hundred to a thousand
dollars per year. There's also the stigma that men need
"less" protection simply because they are men. Since many
of these scam artists seldom work alone, this is not the
case.

One man was hospitalized after meeting a woman he met
online. She brought a number of men with her who attacked
him. How can you ensure you don't become involved in the
same situation? A few easy steps and some common sense can
help you avoid such problems. Many of the steps recommended
for women can help you out, as well.

Even in the beginning, you should proceed with caution!
Don't become fixated on the profile picture. These can be
easily faked with pictures from any stock photography site.
When you have exchanged personal information you should
perform a criminal background check. Be on the lookout for
charges of fraud, theft, or even robbery. Just as with
women seeking men, there are women online who have criminal
histories. You should also keep your own information as
private as possible. You might be amazed to learn what
information is open and available online just by using your
own name.

There are also items of information you should never
divulge online. Social security numbers, credit card
numbers, passwords, bank account information, and any other
sensitive information should never be given to another
individual over the internet.

When the time comes to meet her, be safe. Always meet in
public places for the first few dates. Don't let yourself
be isolated from others as a group can be waiting near-by
in an isolated area. Keep your wallet near-by and don't
open it anymore than necessary. The information on your
driver's license can be exploited.

If you meet in person and she brings up unusual discussion
of investments, banks, or other schemes, excuse yourself
and leave the situation. Romance scams commonly target men
as well as women. If you come into contact with someone you
believe to be a scam artist, end the relationship, and
don't respond to further communication.

Have great forethought and consideration of what you do and
you can navigate the online dating circuit with ease.