Identity theft is a growing problem, one that can literally wreak havoc on your life if your identity is ever compromised. There is plenty of information out there about how to protect your identity during normal everyday life activities, but one area that is overlooked by many people is protecting their identity while dating online.

Now, you might not think about this right away but consider this: when you’re getting to know someone as part of a dating relationship a normal and natural part of the process is sharing information and getting to know each other. This makes online dating a virtual smorgasbord of opportunity for scammers and others seeking to gain information about you for the sole purpose of taking over your identity for illegal purposes.

If you want to protect your identity from theft and scammers online, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Do not give out information such as your mother’s maiden name, your home address, your birth city, or the like.
• Be extremely cautious of anyone who wants to send you gifts such as flowers, candy, etc., early on in the relationship; they may be trying to get your address information in order to go after your identity.
• Never send anyone money, give them your credit card number, or otherwise provide any financial information to them. NEVER!

As if dating weren’t challenging enough, worrying about the potential for identity theft while dating online is kind of a pain. But it is important, though, to follow these simple steps to protect yourself if you want to avoid the hassles and even greater pain that goes along with having your identity stolen or compromised.

Safety Identity, Online Safety, Scams, Theft

When you’re browsing through love profiles online, you might be blinded by the love. You might find that all of your potential love interests seem to be into you, so you’re willing to do anything – even catch and pass on a dangerous love bug.

A computer virus.

Just like other more intimate moments, you need to make sure you’re protecting yourself and others from viruses that plague the online dating world. Even if you’re certain your computer is clean, another person’s computer may not.

And not everyone is exactly what they seem to be.

First of all, never, ever click on any links in emails from others you don’t really know. These can be routes into your computer for phishing attacks and hackers. Yes, this means you even need to avoid those cute-sy e-cards that everyone is sending. They can be virus-toting time bombs.

It’s also a good idea to avoid giving out your personal information to anyone – especially password information. While this should be common sense, you need to realize that hackers know how vulnerable you might be as a struggling single.

But you need to make sure they don’t get what they want – your money and your data.

To further protect yourself, make sure your email address for your online dating account isn’t your ‘real’ email address. Sign up for a free account with Hotmail, for example, to keep your life and your dating separate. This will only hinder cyber attacks more.

You can be safe and clean from this modern love bug. And don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Safety Cyber Attacks, Disease, Identity, Love, Money, Online Safety, Profile, Virus

When you’re dating online, the last thing that you’re thinking about is your identity. Well, maybe you are. But it’s not in the same way as everyone else on the Internet might be thinking of it.

There are thieves out there. Lots of them. On the Internet, where everyone can be an anonymous as they want to be, you are taking a risk when you go online to meet people.

And I’m not just talking about basic online safety either or trying to prevent meeting up with stalkers or violent criminals.

Identity theft is becoming more and more common on dating sites. When you’re giving our your personal information, many people are able to see it, see your picture, and see how they can use this information to get into your credit cards, bank accounts, and more.

But what can you do? You can’t lie about who you are because that defeats the whole purpose. You would have to head back to the bars to date again. Sigh.

Here are some quick tips for staying safe and staying online:

• Don’t list last names that are visible to the public
• Change your birthday slightly – like the year, for example
• Don’t identify where you work or where you went to school

In short, don’t have a profile that’s filled with personal information. You can even list your address as near to the city that you actually live in, then reveal the real location when you are comfortable. Read more about dating safely.

Safety Bars, Identity, Meet People, Online Safety, Risks, Stalking, Violence