A lot of people may think it’s just women who need to be safe when it comes to online dating, but men should take some precautions as well. Predators can also be female, and sometimes it isn’t always a woman you’re talking to online. The best policy is to keep caution in the back of your mind and question the things that seem suspicious.

Getting to Know Her

The first thing you should do before getting serious about anyone you meet online is get to know them and develop some trust. Follow your instincts and if something seems strange or sends up red flags for you, you may want to re-evaluate that online relationship. There’s many other women out there, so don’t compromise yourself if you think something seems off.

Anyone asking for too much personal info who won’t give you any about themselves may be trying to deceive you. On the other hand, if they’re giving out way too much information, it could be to give you a false sense of security. Your own judgment and instincts will be what guides you, but you don’t need to be so wary that you refuse to get to know anyone.

Meeting Someone in Person

If you’ve decided to take your online relationship to the next level and meet, it’s a good idea to meet in a public place and take separate cars. Keep your home address and home phone number to yourself until you think this is a person you can trust. Sticking to cell phone and online communication can help you protect your privacy.

While you’re out on your date, having someone call to check in at some point can be a good safety net. While you may not feel threatened by meeting a woman somewhere keep in mind that she may not be alone or could have someone watching her. You don’t need to spend your whole night worrying about these things, but keeping them at the back of your mind and taking precautions will keep you safe.

Sending Money

Someone asking for money should send up a huge red flag. No matter what her reason is, how desperate she seems, or how heartbreaking her story is, she shouldn’t be asking for money from someone she recently met online. There are a lot of scams out there and while you may think you’re being a nice guy, it’s important to protect yourself when meeting someone through online dating.