Online Dating Safety for Seniors from Rav's blog

When it comes to online dating, the first thing that strikes the mind is that it is for young singles. But the reality is fast changing. Senior singles are also finding their soul mates online. This gives you reasons to jump onto online dating platforms to find your special someone. However, there are also concerns about online dating safety for seniors, giving the rising incidences of scams on the Internet.

Before jumping onto the Internet bandwagon, older adults should get more insight into the online dating best practices. It is important to learn about the risks and potential red flags before showing interest in a profile. Here are a few tips on online dating safety for seniors.

Avoid sharing personal details

Now you do not want to share your personal information online with a stranger. This includes your contact details, date of birth, and Social Security number. Of course, the idea is to secure information that might be exploited for identity theft. Not only this, senior singles should refrain from sharing details about their routine and children.

Avoid revealing financial details

Most of the online scammers are trying to dupe you of your money. Revealing your financial information to a stranger is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid. Giving away money is another. If your date asks you for money, it could be a scam. Do not offer a cent unless you are sure about the other person and know them well. Run away from a date that says they can’t access their email or bank account and are in financial emergency. You do not want to take your relationship forward with a date that asks you to wire money or reload their gift cards.

Take time to respond to first ‘sight’ love

Most scammers are quick to convey their “strong feelings.”  They may not hesitate to speak up their emotions within a few days of starting online communication with you. If someone has just met you online and expresses their strong feelings, take your time to determine their reality. It could be a scammer trying to bewitch you with their feelings in order to steal your financial details.

Avoid anybody that rejects video/phone calls

One of the most important online dating safety for seniors tips is to avoid anybody who is unwilling to talk over phone or on a video call. They might be trying to steal their identity.

Forget about anybody who talks of horrible financial crisis

A scammer is more interested in your money than anything else. So most of their conversation could surround money. They may weave stories around financial distress and try to emotionally attract your attention to their ongoing monetary “crisis.”  They might say they are a victim of fraud or have suffered a dramatic death of a loved one and need money to pay for their funeral. Or one of the most common financial excuses is a layoff and/or loss of pension.

Joining a reputable online dating site can significantly reduce the risk of fraud in the Internet dating world. Reputable sites have access to an array of resources to do a security and profile verification. These websites want to maintain their reputation and have stringent policies on senior dating fraud. It would help to be an online sleuth and explore the social media profiles of your date. If they do not have any online presence, except a presence in the dating site, it could be a red signal.