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Self
Protection Advice
Singles in Motion DOES NOT screen anyone!
Computers have not only changed our lives; they have become
part of it. Now commonplace for conducting our lives and meeting
others, they have brought along some risks. Although Online
Dating can be an enjoyable experience and gives the computer
user an opportunity to meet new people, it also diminishes our
privacy and subjects people, who are not careful, to harm.
At
Singles in Motion.com, we provide a unique way to
meet other singles, but the intent is to meet them in public
places where group events are taking place. However, what if
the event listed is being held in a dark cabin in the woods?
Sounds great, right? Will you go? Go alone? Go without defense
or thought, just park and walk right inside their door? If you
answered yes, then you are setting yourself up for harm. Never
go to a dark place alone or a place or event that doesn't seem
to have A LOT of people! Cabins can be fabulous, but what if
only two men and one woman show up for this event?
Danger lurks! Stay
away!
There are plenty of other activities and there is always
tomorrow! Hopefully!
You Must
Take Proper Precautions!
Singles in Motion DOES NOT screen anyone!
Many long term friendships and relationships have even
established through the Internet where only a photo and a few
words introduce people to one another. People meet online and
then meet in a well lit public place to see if they will hit it
off. Perfect! Even if you don't hit it off, at least you're
still safe and sound as long as you're savvy, smart and caution!
Use
Common Sense When Meeting New People.
Always follow these steps and when meeting someone new online or
offline and you are sure to have an enjoyable and safe
experience.
When meeting someone online or offline at an event or
activity, use caution and judgment. Common sense is always your
foremost safety tool.
Be aware of odd behavior or inconsistencies that could tip you
off about a person. Always keep in mind that the person you are
speaking with may not be who they seem. If you feel
uncomfortable, you are under no obligation to keep speaking with
them. You can go into the bathroom, call a friend and have them
call you away for an emergency. Just get away!
Do not give out personal information such as your address,
your telephone number or other personal details. If you call
them, do it from a blocked number, otherwise they have your
number! If they have your number, it's easy to get your address!
Keep in mind that some people are Identity Theft professionals.
Stop communicating with anyone who tries to pressure or trick
you into giving out this information.
Singles in Motion DOES NOT
screen anyone!
If you suspect anything is not normal stop communication
immediately.
Only meet or date when you feel a good feeling about the
person after speaking to them on the phone. Here are some
questions you should know before meeting or dating a person.
Their first and last name. What city do they live in? Where do
they work? what model and make of car do they drive? Check on
them online. For a nominal fee, People Search or other online
private investigation companies can verify this person's
identity and match it with their employment, home address, email
address, etc. Of course, a person can steal another's identity
and use all that information, too. After a few nights on the
phone, try calling the person at his/her place of business one
day. Or stop in without identifying yourself. Is the person a
real person? That's step one. A real person can still be
violent, but at least the name is right.
We suggest meeting in a public place for the first several
dates. You are never obligated to actually physically call or
meet someone you have met online. You are never obligated to
accept a date with someone because you may have flirted at a
singles event. Can you get a recommendation from a friend?
Regardless of your level of involvement, step back and access.
Even if you have already set a place and time to meet, if you
are not 100% comfortable, just cancel. Don't feel intimidated or
under obligation to meet or date someone. If you have a hunch or
concern regarding anything to do with meeting or dating, trust
yourself and take the precautions suggested.
Singles in Motion DOES NOT screen anyone!
If you do meet with a person who you have only known through
an online basis, meet at a crowded establishment. You should
never meet this person alone or in a
secluded area. Choose a busy restaurant or place
where many other people are around. The same applies to a first
or second date with someone you met briefly at a singles event
or activity.
Take your own car or a taxi cab. DO NOT GET INTO THEIR CAR!
Even if you feel OK the first date, better to wait. Actors lurk,
but after a few meetings you should be able to discern a basic
good or evil character. For your first few meetings you should
never be alone with the person. You should never be alone with
this person until you feel 100% confident that you feel safe
with this person. This may required meeting his/her friends,
family or co-workers. Stop in where the person works. Does
he/she really work there? Talk to an ex, meet his children. If
he/she doesn't have a life, watch out!
When corresponding online and when meeting with a person you
met at a singles activity, pay attention to the red flags.
Anger, paranoia, temper, threats, delusions of grandeur,
frustration, nervousness, or controlling behaviors and attitudes
should be guarded against. Behaving in a passive-aggressive
manner, being demanding or manipulative, making disrespectful
comments, or acting physically inappropriate are all red flags.
Other types of behavior to watch for are inconsistencies in
what the person has told you through the online correspondence
or verbal communication and compare that with what you see and
can verify. Sometimes inconsistencies can be harmless or
self-preserving, like diminishing age stats online for those
over 40 or 50 years old. But other contradictions in interests,
intentions, appearance, drinking and drug habits, profession and
marital status can spell disaster. Also watch out for things
such as someone who doesn't answer direct questions or refuses
to speak to you on the phone after establishing an ongoing
online rapport.
Singles in Motion DOES NOT screen anyone!
You do NOT have to be frightened to meet or date new friends or
love interests, but you DO have to be cautious and careful. It
is vitally important to use common sense when dating someone you
met at a singles event or searching for companionship online.
Throwing caution to the wind in today's environment is foolish.
It only takes one wrong decision to ruin the rest of your life.
When it is so easy to follow the above cautions, why take any
risks? If someone insists you should "trust me" that's another
sign to run! If you follow the above precautions and trust your
instincts odds are you will have a truly enjoyable experience
and hopefully have a long term positive relationship.
Trust your instincts. If you meet someone who seems too
good to be, there is probably a reason. If you meet someone you
are attracted to, but your gut instinct says no, go with no.
For more HELPFUL HINTS about self-protections, see the following
links:
Safety.com
Wired Safety.org
Match.com helpful hints for dating online |
