Policies

Internet Meeting Safety Tips

The internet is a convenient tools for making new friends. Just like anywhere else, there are risks of which you should be aware. But if you use common sense and exercise due care, your experience can be safe and rewarding. The following are a few guidelines and suggestions to help keep your experience as positive as possible.

1. Do not reveal information which could expose your identity until you are confident that it is safe. Be cautious revealing your name, address, phone number, email address, place of work, website address, etc. Do not allow anyone to pressure you into revealing details before you are ready. If they are overly aggressive in asking for identifying information, cut off communication. Do not feel obligated to be more open than you are comfortable being. Contact the administrator of the website if you have concerns.
2. Be aware that others may misrepresent themselves on the internet. They may make false claims, omit important details, post outdated photographs, or even photographs of other people as their own. Pay attention to little clues that indicate that a person may be trying to hide something. Watch for inconsistencies in things they write, indicating that they are making things up and having trouble keeping their story straight. Also be cautious of evasiveness about things that could indicate a problem. You may wish to have a background check done on someone before you get too involved in communicating with or meeting them. If the information in someone's profile is blatantly false, notify the website's administrators.
3. The first time you meet someone in person, take a friend along or meet and stay in public places. Be sure that someone knows where you're going and when to expect you back. If you have a cell phone, take it along and have a friend call periodically. Refrain from drinking excessively, as it could impair your ability to make good decisions and may put you at risk. If someone tries to get you into a situation you are not comfortable with, don't hesitate, just refuse, leave or do whatever is necessary to protect yourself. Nothing that anyone else does can obligate you to compromise your own safety.
4. If you feel uneasy about someone you've met online, err on the side of caution. It's probably better to miss a few good experiences than to have one bad one.
5. Occasionally, criminals will attempt to use sites like this, where they expect that messages will be received with a high level of trust, to solicit people for scams. If, for example, you ever receive a message asking for help getting large sums of money out of an African country, offering to sell a product, or with any other commercial purpose, do not respond to the message. Instead, please send a copy of the message you received to us using our (contract form).
6. Although we do all we can to provide a safe, comfortable environment for building new friendships, the final responsibility for you is yours.

If you keep these things in mind, we are confident that the internet can be one of the best tools you've ever had for finding new friends and starting good relationships.