Documentaries such as The Tinder Swindler, The Craigslist Killer, Catfish, and Murder on the Internet have gained a great deal of attention recently because they all boil down to one lesson — interacting with others online doesn’t come without risk. The individuals you may come into contact with run the gamut from just plain dishonest to seriously disturbed. When it comes to finding companionship, many consider online dating to be the best resource. However, reading the virtues someone listed on their profile page is in no way, shape, or form a thorough assessment of their level of honesty. Whether you’re meeting someone to purchase an item you saw for sale online or taking a chance on a potential love interest you met on a dating site, you need to have a plan in mind in case this person tries to lure you into a trap.
The Scenario:
SITUATION TYPE
Internet dating
YOUR CREW
You
LOCATION
Your hometown
SEASON
Fall
WEATHER
Normal
The Setup: Let’s face it, you can pretend to be whoever you want over the internet, and lots of people do. The days of placing a personal ad in the newspaper to find love have evolved into a slew of dating sites, all with their own supposed formulas for pairing you up with Mr. or Mrs. Right. Even if you’ve never signed up for online dating, social media profiles allow a certain amount of sensitive info to be disclosed to the prying eyes of unknown people. Strangers who send private messages and friend requests may have a legitimate interest in meeting someone special, or might be completely nefarious in their intentions. If you’ve decided you want to find companionship by looking for love on the internet, it doesn’t come without risks. How do you vet someone you met over the internet and get them to prove their intentions are honorable, without completely shutting yourself off from online interaction with people you haven’t met face to face?
You use the typical social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but it has been a few years since your divorce and you’re looking to meet new people. So, after some persuasion from your friends, you’ve also decided to try a dating website to solicit interest in finding someone special. You create a profile and immediately start getting hits from people who want to meet you. Some are immediate throwaways because of the vulgarity of their messages, profile info, photos, and overall approach. After narrowing it down to a couple of individuals who seem like
