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Today, more individuals are turning to the Internet to help them find dates. If you are interested in dating online, it is important to know how to stay safe. These tips can make your experience safer.
1. Secure Your Computer
Before you even set up your dating profile, make sure your computer is fully secured. Use a firewall and an updated anti-virus software to protect your computer from damage. Some hackers use dating profiles as a method of hacking into other people’s computers.
2. Choose Reputable Dating Sites
There are many online dating sites for bikers available. Some of them are more well-known than others. Using one that has a solid reputation can help protect you from shady individuals. Remember that it is still up to you to fully protect yourself.
3. Limit Personal Information
When you first start talking to someone online, it is best to limit the personal information you provide. Keep it to a first name and use the site’s messaging service. As you build trust, you can provide a phone number and email address so you can meet in person.
4. Consider Your Profile Picture Carefully
A profile picture can be useful in helping individuals find someone they are attracted to. However, it can also cause safety issues. If the site allows, avoid posting a profile picture and only send it to people you are interested in. Always check photographs for personally identifying information, such as street signs, license plates or address numbers. Don’t post these types of pictures.
5. Ask a Lot of Questions
It may feel as if you are giving the individual the third degree, but asking questions is a good way to identify inconsistencies in the person’s story. It can be a huge red flag if the individual avoids answering questions that shouldn’t be a big deal.
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6. Trust Your Instincts
In most cases, your instincts are correct. Always listen to that inner voice that tells you whether you can trust someone else. While it is possible for your instincts to be wrong, it is best to be safe.
7. Don’t Go Outside Your Comfort Zone
You will know when you are comfortable moving forward with your relationship. Don’t allow anyone to push you outside your comfort zone. It is a big warning sign if an individual pushes you to meet up or share contact information before you are ready.
8. Make the First Call
When you are ready to share personal information with someone, consider being the first one to make the call. Ask for his or her phone number and place the call using the block caller ID function. This will protect your number in case things don’t work out.
9. Keep an Eye out for Red Flags
While those who are looking to scam others will be careful to hide their true intentions, it is important to keep an eye out for red flags. Some of the common issues include asking for money, claiming to be traveling outside the country or mysteriously disappearing for periods of time.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Block
If someone is continuously harassing you on a biker dating site, don’t hesitate to block the individual. If he or she continues to be persistent, such as creating new names to contact you, let the dating website know. If the person truly cared about you, he or she would leave you alone when asked.
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11. Take Things Slowly
There’s no need to rush into a relationship. Take the time to get to know each other through online chats or possibly over the phone for a while. Once you both reach a level of comfort, you can talk about meeting in person to pursue a relationship. Also, online dating sites for bikers are a great place to make friends, so don’t write someone off just because you wouldn’t date them.
12. Run a Background Check
It can seem invasive to run a background check on someone, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If possible, choose a national registry so you can find cases that lie outside your current state. Reconsider meeting anyone who has a criminal record in person, no matter how innocent the person may claim to be.
13. Meet in a Public Place
Once you are ready to meet someone you have been talking to, set up your first meeting in a public place. Make sure the place you choose will be busy and don’t allow your date to talk you into a more private setting. If he or she wants to meet, it will happen anywhere you want.
14. Tell Someone Where You Will Be
You can protect yourself even further by letting a friend or family member know where you are going, when you will be there, and who you will be meeting. This can leave clues if the unthinkable happens.
15. Don’t Drink
Some people like to have a drink or two on a first date to get more comfortable. When you are meeting someone you don’t know well, it is best to avoid drinking. It reduces the risk of being drugged and helps you keep your thinking clear.
