Staying Safe With Online Dating Services

By: lar

Complaints against matchmaking and online dating services are on the rise and many consumers looking for love find heartache and financial disappointment. The tips immediately below apply to all types of dating services. Tips specific to online or location-based services are listed later.

Risks consumers should be aware of:

Financial risks -- being saddled with an expensive contract costing $5,000 (or more) that does not provide results but cannot be cancelled, possibly leading to collection efforts and negative information that affects your credit report and credit score;

Security and safety risks -- becoming a victim of stalking or identity theft if your personal information is misused by other dating service members, company employees, or others who gain access to information about you. In addition, most dating services do not perform criminal background checks on members;

Privacy risks -- having your personal information made available to a wider audience than you expect, such as your co-workers or family members.

Highly recommended:

Say NO to high-pressure sales presentations with "now or never" offers -- unless time is truly of the essence (such as an emergency), any legitimate business will allow consumers time to study a complex, expensive contract and reflect on whether to sign it;

Read your contract carefully before signing it -- including all "fine print" -- so you know exactly what you're buying. Some contracts make it easy for the dating service to avoid responsibility but difficult for consumers to get their money back;

Be extremely suspicious of any requests for money, especially before you have met the person face to face.

Be cautious with your personal information. This includes financial information, contact information, photographs of your, etc.

Never agree to meet for the first time in a private setting. Insist on meeting in a public place where there are sure to be other people around. Tell a member of your family or a friend where you will be and when you will contact them again after the meeting. Arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting and have a working cellular phone with you, if possible, with a pre-programmed, one-touch emergency number. And leave all available information about the person you will be meeting with your contact.

Article Source: http://www.rightbiz.com

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