A Word of Caution for Women Who Sign Up with an Online Dating Service

Perhaps it is the fact that you just endured the sixth blind date your own mother sent you on, and once again you had to endure an evening of excruciating boredom with the son of someone who goes to Wednesday night bingo with mom at the local church. Sure, he is probably a very nice guy, but living in his parents' basement at the tender age of 40 and still playing with model train sets is a bit more than you can stomach when you think of the next 40 or so years that your marriage may last until death do you part. Maybe it is the looming Valentine's Day holiday for which the stores are already stocking their shelves - minutes after Christmas was over - and which you will once again spend along at home with only your cat that has you contemplating an online dating service.

Whatever the case may be, the idea of signing up with an online dating service is most certainly not a new one, and as a matter of fact many Americans are now choosing this kind of service in order to meet that special someone. Yet as a woman you know that you will have to be especially cautious when it comes to meeting someone on the Internet. After all, there are horror stories of dates that have gone bad, perverts filling up your inbox with all kinds of suggestive materials, and aggressive men who are demanding that you will not correspond with anyone but them. Here are some words of caution on how to avoid these pitfalls when signing up with an online dating service:

•The Internet is like a big playground where some grown ups will play charades. Just because a bachelor will speak to you of marriage, family, and white picket fence does not mean that he is for real. If he sounds too good to be true, perhaps he is.

•Hand in hand with these charades go those men who are nothing but conmen. They may try to trick a lonely lady into sending them money, making loans, or actually use this medium to find a softhearted gal to invest some of her hard earned money in a dubious venture. If you find yourself discussing money, finances, or investments, it is time to back off.

•Another word of caution deals with locations. Some dating sites do not limit who can sign up with them, and thus you may end up falling in love with a Swede who actually lives in Sweden. Unless a long distance relationship fits the bill, make sure you sign up with a site that will permit you to specify geographic perimeters.