Online dating safety tips

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – For many people that are looking to get back into the online dating scene, it may be something that you might want to try. Although it is sometimes a good place to start, there are some very important things to keep in mind about your personal information.

Thad Crews, a data analysis and information systems professor at Western Kentucky University, says that trust needs to be earned, just like with any stranger.

“When it comes to online, we see a person in our hand, on our phone, in our room with us, and it feels like we’re close to him, but we’re not. So the rule of thumb is until you meet someone face to face, you should realize that they’re still a stranger and you shouldn’t share information with them that you wouldn’t share with a stranger,” Crews said.

It is also important to keep in mind that no links should ever be opened, in general really, but especially when chatting with strangers online, Crews says.

“An unexpected link takes you out of that email program, takes you out of that app to another place on the web, and nothing good is going to come from that. If you think you’re supposed to do something with your bank, you think you get something from Amazon that you need to deal with, that’s fine, but don’t use the link,” Crews said.

For those looking to meet in person someone they have found a connection with online, Kentucky State Patrol trooper Katan Parker says to keep your wits about you.

“You don’t even want to have somebody come pick you up at your house. You want to meet them at a place where there are a lot of people, you know, okay, so in case of this person being not who you thought they were or not who you believe that they were online,” Parker said.

It is important to always keep in mind that scams happen every day of the year, not just on holidays. With scams and with online dating, if it sounds to good to be true, it usually is.