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6.2 Remaining Safe and Secure Online

Websites to Approach Cautiously

People who are looking to perpetrate a scam—a
way to get money from another person by deceiving
them—or to inappropriately access someone’s per-
sonal information or engage in another illegal activ-
ity tend to be attracted to websites that have large
numbers of users and where personal information
is readily available. For this reason, you need to be
especially cautious when you access the following
types of sites, which are some of the most common
targets for fraud and criminal activity.
Caia Images/SuperStock
When you are researching, working,
or perusing websites, approach cer-
Dating Websites tain sites cautiously to avoid being

Online dating sites are extremely popular today, scammed.
and many people have successfully found a roman-
tic partner online. However, users should be cautious about how much personal information
they disclose about themselves on these sites. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (http://www
.privacyrights.org), a nationally recognized consumer education group that advocates for
online privacy, warns that users have no right to privacy or confidentiality for any informa-
tion or photos they have posted and that the dating sites may sell this information to others
for advertising or marketing purposes. User information can also be subpoenaed and used in
insurance claims, lawsuits, and divorce and child custody proceedings. Make sure you read the
privacy policies, terms, and conditions carefully (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2015).

Dating websites are also very attractive to sexual predators, felons, and stalkers, who use
them to search for potential victims. The U.S. Department of State receives thousands of com-
plaints per year from people who have been scammed out of money online—some by poten-
tial romantic partners. Someone, for example, can create a false identity, spend time gaining
your trust or “falling in love with you” online, and then ask for money for some type of emer-
gency. Many of these scammers are in countries outside of the United States, so recovering
lost money is almost impossible. Always trust your instincts if you are uncomfortable meet-
ing someone or do not think they are being entirely honest with you. Don’t provide your full
name, address, or phone number until you feel safe about your prospective date, and always
make sure you arrange to meet people in a public place during the day, not in the evening
(Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2015).

Visit http://www.onlinedatingsafetytips.com/Top10Scams.cfm for more information about
common Internet dating scams.

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