Online dating Scams
I posted a link to a story about online dating scams.It's so sad that online dating has been taken over by con people. I used online dating sites, going back to the early 80s when they used to call it computer dating. I was always busy and just didn't have time to meet the old-fashioned way. Funny, I met both my husbands the old-fashioned way, but I did meet very nice gentlemen online. Of course that was years ago--about ten, just before remarrying my late husband. Back then there were no stories like this. Now, the con-men from out of town have taken over. I still believe in online dating. If I wanted to date, I'd go this way. Why? I feel it's safer. The old-fashioned way just doesn't work for me, unless you mean meeting men in the store or some other social event. The fact is, I can't meet men through my friends. They're either married or having problems looking themselves. And meeting someone outside is scary. Think about it: You meet a man at the grocery story. He now knows what you look like, and approaxmately where you live since most of us shop close to home. On the other hand, meet a guy online and follow some rules.
And here are the rules: Never give money. Send emails and talk over the telephone before meeting. Get a picture of the person. Cut and paste his emails(most con men use the same emails over and over) into a search engine and see if it comes up. When he sends you an email, notice his English. The con men are living over seas and their English is not perfect.
There are sites out there devoted to uncovering online dating scams. Go to it and see if your person is out there. Finally, if you meet, meet in a crowded place. I once met a man in the downtown section of town. It was in a bookstore--very, very packed with people. We met for coffee. I told him I would only have one hour and that was it. That way if I didn't like him I'd have an exit. It's a good idea to have a friend check on you too. Have them call you. We met a few times before progressing to a full-out date.
And here's another thing you can do. You can do a background check on a person. Years ago that ran about eighty dollars and included criminal background information.
Finally, don't date anyone from out of town. The con-men aren't interested in meeting someone face-to-face and most are not even living in the United States. As for the woman coned out of her life savings. Well, she seemed smart. The article mentioned she is a finacial advisior. So how did she fall for such an obvious con? IMHO, she was looking to buy happiness. She enjoyed the feelings of being loved and of being in a relationship again. If she really thougth about it, she was wanting to buy her husband back. This man knew exactly the words to say to make her feel like she was getting her husband back. If she'd really thought about it, she knew from the first time he asked for money. But she was so happy, so wanting it to be true.
I remember something Redd Fox said when someone asked how he met his wife. He said, "I opened my wallet and there she was."
And here are the rules: Never give money. Send emails and talk over the telephone before meeting. Get a picture of the person. Cut and paste his emails(most con men use the same emails over and over) into a search engine and see if it comes up. When he sends you an email, notice his English. The con men are living over seas and their English is not perfect.
There are sites out there devoted to uncovering online dating scams. Go to it and see if your person is out there. Finally, if you meet, meet in a crowded place. I once met a man in the downtown section of town. It was in a bookstore--very, very packed with people. We met for coffee. I told him I would only have one hour and that was it. That way if I didn't like him I'd have an exit. It's a good idea to have a friend check on you too. Have them call you. We met a few times before progressing to a full-out date.
And here's another thing you can do. You can do a background check on a person. Years ago that ran about eighty dollars and included criminal background information.
Finally, don't date anyone from out of town. The con-men aren't interested in meeting someone face-to-face and most are not even living in the United States. As for the woman coned out of her life savings. Well, she seemed smart. The article mentioned she is a finacial advisior. So how did she fall for such an obvious con? IMHO, she was looking to buy happiness. She enjoyed the feelings of being loved and of being in a relationship again. If she really thougth about it, she was wanting to buy her husband back. This man knew exactly the words to say to make her feel like she was getting her husband back. If she'd really thought about it, she knew from the first time he asked for money. But she was so happy, so wanting it to be true.
I remember something Redd Fox said when someone asked how he met his wife. He said, "I opened my wallet and there she was."
Replies
Wow, some very good thoughts to think about.
I know here on DS we are always getting these \'out of towners\' that don\'t know how to use the English language. I just pass them on to DS support and they are then banned. We have to keep \'taking out the garbage\' in our DS neighborhood to keep it clean and safe.
Yes, we can\'t be \'too\' careful but it is very easy to be \'very\' sorry when not being careful enough.
:-) Patricia
A woman I work with met a few of those types online, sounded too good to be true, it is. One guy sounded all nice, story unfolded, he said he was in the military overseas, come to find out he was using another man name, he was a con. She had a couple guy likethat, she finally gave up online dating.
I used online dating, I learned to meet in a public place, I look back and think to myself, what was I thinking. Anyways I am with a man now, together 2 1/2 years now, met online, he was totally honest with me , how do I know that? Because he said up front, he didn\'t have much to offer at the time, was not working, said that he didn\'t think I would answer , well I did, he was working temp jobs, had to get insurance and have surgery on his legs and had an aneurysm in his abdomen, which I saw him thru that surgery. He has since found permanent work, started as temp going on 2 years now, he lives with me and pays the rent and we get along great.
Online dating has a lot of pros and cons , we just need to be careful for sure. I do not think I could do it again.
Yes. Definitely run like the wind if they ask for money!
Thank you for the advice. I am only on two free online dating services and am broding on the cautious but do love your advice. Thank you so much for all us single women.