Socializing is one of the most important factors that determine our mental health. Human beings are designed to be social creatures and we thrive in each other’s company. When we fail to socialize, we expose ourselves to dangers such as stress, depression, and much more. Dating is one of those ways in which your loved ones can get to meet a host of lovely people. With online dating for singles over 50 getting more popular by the day, here are some online dating safety tips for your loved ones.
The Threat
The fact of the matter is that online dating works. Many people have met their future panthers and spouses online. The internet cuts through geographical barriers, ensuring that people who would otherwise never have met have a chance to do so. But it goes beyond that. The powerful algorithms of dating sites ensure that you can narrow down your search to people that you share a lot in common with, and this in turn ensures that you are likely to hit it off with the people you meet online. However, this comes with some risks. People are not always who they say they are and there is always the danger of being scammed. The target is usually to steal money, your identity, and such. This does not mean that we should give up on online dating, rather that we should be careful when engaging with potential matches on the internet.
Recognize Fraudsters
The first step to recognizing online scams is to be able to recognize suspect accounts. The length at which fraudsters go to conceal their intentions on their dating accounts vary but thankfully, with a keen eye, you might be able to spot it. Look for accounts that are short on details. Fraudsters need to persuade you that you two have a lot in common so they never reveal much about themselves. Only when you start talking will they then learn about your likes and mimic them. This serves the purpose of fooling you that you have a lot in common.
Fake Profile Photos
The last thing that online dating fraudsters want is to be identified so almost all of them use fake profile photos. These photos may be stock photos bought from a site, they may also be stolen from other people’s social media accounts. Google has a great feature that allows people to search for photos online. A quick search may quickly reveal that the photo came from somewhere else.
Asking for Money
After they worm their way into your trust, the next thing is usually to try and get money from you. This typically comes in the form of a plea for help. Reasons vary but the excuse might be a supposed illness, an emergency of some kind, or even a fake arrest. They may send you documents to back their claims but remember that documents can be forged.
