11 Ways to Detect Scammers When Dating Online

1) Their username is a Real First and Last name...

Seriously, who does this! If you are talking to someone who used their first and last name as their username, get them on webcam right away and make sure they are real. If they are real (and you are absolutely sure), tell them to cancel their account and create a new account so that their name is not exposed. Only scammers do this sort of thing to make themselves seem more vulnerable, real and "true".

2) Look for the following TOP "scam alert" phrases used in their messages to you or in their profile...

~I will like to read from you
~I'm caring and honest
~Seeking my missing rib (or half)
~Seeking Marriage
~God Fearing
~Seeking for a serous relationship


Although these terms are not a foolproof indicator, when you couple them with other items on this list, they become great indicators.


3) Their Picture is too perfect and they have model looks...

Be careful on this one because you don't want to disregard a hottie, but do be aware that scammers post perfect pictures.

4) Look for certain words embedded in their username...

true
honest
4u
smith
cole
seek
heart

Again, this will not give you an absolute indication, but when you couple these indicators with other items on the list, it will help give more evidence.


5) They quickly send you their Yahoo Email Address...

If they use a yahoo email address in their profile or try to send you their email address right away and it happens to be a yahoo address, raise your scammer radar alert. Most scammers use a Yahoo email address.

6) They claim to work or be from Africa...

If they say their from or work in Ghana or another City or Country in Africa, report them right away.

7) Are they female and does their username end in "A"...

There are a lot of women from the Ukraine and Russia posing as Americans or claiming to be local to you. These women can usually be spotted by their beauty and perfect European pictures, or by checking whether their username ends in an "A". Here are some examples...

Nataliya
Sofya
Sveta
Agnessa

8) They have an Accent when talking to them on the phone...

If their profile states that they are from Chicago and they talk with an African Accent, run away as fast as you can, but remember to report them.

9) Their pictures aren't consistent or aren't even of the same person...

Pay attention to their pictures. If the pictures look very inconsistent or of a different person, ask for more. If they are unable to give more or if the next round of pictures don't shed light on the inconsistency issue, they're probably a scammer.


10) Broken English...

Most scammers don't care to improve their grammar and it's obvious so pay attention. Don't let love blind your ability to reason!!!


11) They ask for Money...

Don't ever send money to anyone for any reason, PERIOD. NEVER EVER!

The most important thing to remember is that you want to meet someone within the first two weeks to a month of talking with them online. If you have extended talks online without meeting them, at least get them on webcam and make sure they are consistent with whom they say they are.

For more information on how to detect scammers, come join http://www.bookofmatches.com and start a forum topic on the subject.

The 7 Secrets of Online Dating - Find the Right Person

1) It's a Numbers Game, so Play the Numbers.

Don't get on one site, get on all dating sites. The reason online dating is so much more powerful than any other forms of dating is because you can get your face in front of thousands of potential partners instead of a few here or there at parties, bars, etc. Unlike the real world, you can have your profile posted on all sites at the same time which just means that you are in many places at once. Doesn't it sounds more likely that you will find someone by posting a profile for thousands of potential singles to see rather than one or two people here or there that may or may not be looking for a date! By signing up to online dating sites and not sending a single email, you have a 100% greater chance to meet singles and hookup on a date than if you never created a profile (because people can and will still contact you). It's just that simple so if you are in the singles market, play the numbers game and post on several sites.

2) Don't Chase

After sending an email to someone on an online dating site, don't continue to send emails if they don't reply. It is true that there are a lot of stalker personalities online. Most experienced online daters know this personality type and will run if you show any signs of stalking. First off, make sure that the dating sites you use allow you to see your sent messages. If your message to a particular user is listed in the sent folder, then you can be rest assured that you have done your part and there is no reason for you to continue emailing them until you receive a response. After sending, wait and continue searching for new and other potential mates.

3) Post Quality Pictures

Posting Quality pictures is the most fundamental way for getting a Quality Response. If your pictures look like they were taken with a 1970s Polaroid camera, then you will attract people of that generation or people that could be a bit outdated themselves. If that's what you are looking for, then by all means post such a picture. If, however, you want to attract the best possible mate, then post a damn good picture(s).

4) Act As If You Are Meeting The Person

Just because you're behind a computer doesn't mean that you can say things that you normally wouldn't!!!! Be yourself, but be weary that you may eventually meet the person you are talking to. This brings consistency because when you do decide to meet in person, you will seem exactly the same as the way you talked online. Very important!!!

5) Meet In Person Right Away

The only way for you to make sure the other person is consistent with whom they claim to be and describe themself as being online, is to meet them. You should be meeting people offline within a couple of weeks of talking to them online.

6) Don't Be Too Public

There are some things that are ok to share online and there are other things that are best kept to sharing in person. You don't want the entire world knowing the things you share on facebook. Facebook is for family and friends, but dating sites are for strangers to meet. Realize this and abide by it.

7) Ask Questions?

People love talking about themselves, so ask them questions on your profile and in emails. Don't act as you want to stalk them, but be interested in them. The more you allow people to talk about themselves, the more you will learn about them and the more they will share. If you ask questions in your profile, you are guaranteed to get a 50% increase in emails.

If you are interested to learn member feedback on this topic, signup to http://www.bookofmatches.com and talk with real online members in the forums of the site.

Dating Tips

To prelude this blog, I am the owner of bookofmatches.com, a fun dating site for all. Because of my ability to see the behind the scenes statistics of online dating, I would like to share with you my thoughts on how you can benefit the most from online dating and then follow it up by member ideas and experiences. If you are a member of bookofmatches.com or another dating site and have had a positive experience, please share your success story to help others benefit.

Every dating site has its own method of hooking people up. Some sites offer extensive matching capabilities to match people based on personalities. These kinds of sites can truly be fun from the standpoint of seeing who the site hooks you up with. Because of the way they're designed, these sites can truly go through thousands of behind the scenes profiles to get you the best match. That being said, however, from a different perspective, these kinds of sites can be limiting or box you in as they are good at getting you to focus only on the matches that the site picks for you.

Because I am privileged to seeing the behind the scenes statistics, the best way for singles to be successful at finding compatibility is by simply playing the numbers game. In other words, you need to talk to as many people as you can on as many sites possible. The more you cast your line, the better your chances as the numbers will prove to be in your favor. If you spend all of your time talking to one or two people, you will never branch out and realize someone better is out there waiting for you that just might be a better match. Open the book, flip through as many pages and strike as many matches as possible! In any situation where you think you have found a match, meet them as soon as possible. It's important to make sure that who you are talking to online is the same person behind the scenes. If you meet someone you don't like, just make sure you get the fake ringer on your iPhone. That way you can make your phone ring and duck out of the date early.

Any experience or thoughts from members of boM or another site? What has been your experience and tell others your recommendations on how to be successful at meeting someone online....