Trust your instincts, move cautiously and be selective.

Be on the lookout for odd behavior or inconsistencies. Listen to your correspondent’s choices of words. The person at the other end may not be who or what he/she says. Never give out personal details such as your name, phone number, address or a personal description to people you chat to on the Internet.

Never include your last name, real email address, personal Web site URL, home address, phone number, place of work, or any other identifying information in your profile or initial emails you exchange with other members. It is possible for address details to be obtained through your telephone number using a reverse look up, so again be very guarded about giving out this information. Make sure your email signature file is turned off, or does not include identifying information. Stop communicating with anyone who pressures you for this information or attempts in any way to trick you into revealing such information. Take all the time you need to become comfortable with someone before revealing any personal contact information. Trust your instincts, move cautiously and be selective.

Careful, well-thought decisions lead to better results in dating, and this is certainly true with online dating as well. Any person should earn your trust gradually, through consistently honorable, forthright behavior. Take a conservative approach to trusting anyone you meet online. If you think someone is lying, it is likely that they are, so act accordingly. Move on to someone you can eventually trust.

Conduct yourself and your romances in a responsible manner. Don’t become prematurely intimate with someone, even if that intimacy only occurs online. Photographs will give you a good grasp of the person's appearance, which may prove helpful in achieving an opinion about your correspondent. In fact, it’s best to view several images of this person in a variety of settings: casual, formal, indoor, outdoors. If he/ she continuously come up with an excuse, it may be because that person has something to hide.

Always arrange to meet in a busy public place. Select the Safest Possible Environment.

When you make the choice to meet offline, always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date’s name and telephone number with that person. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home. Provide your own transportation, meet in a public place at a time when many people are present, and when the date is over, and leave on your own as well. A familiar restaurant or coffee shop, at a time when a lot of other people will be present is often a fine choice. Avoid hikes, bike rides or drives in remote areas for the first few dates. If you decide to move to another location, take your own car. When the timing is appropriate, thank your date for getting together and say goodbye.

The greatest part of meeting and relating with people online is that you can gradually collect information and then make a choice about pursuing the relationship. You are never obligated to meet anyone, regardless of your level of online intimacy. Even if you do decide to arrange a meeting, you always have the right to change your mind. Trust yourself.. Go with your natural instincts, even when they can’t be logically explained. Never meet someone who argues against your instincts, finds logical flaws with your feelings or pressures you in any way.

Be aware. Pay special attention to any displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts at pressuring or controlling you. Behaving in a passive-aggressive manner, making demeaning or disrespectful comments or any physically inappropriate behavior are all warning signs.

Character Flaws/Warning Signs to watch out for:

· Inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, etc. 
· Refuses to speak to you on the phone after establishing ongoing, online intimacy. 
· Avoids providing direct answers to direct questions. 
· Appears in person to be significantly different from his or her online persona. 
· Never introduces you to friends, professional associates or family members. 

 Remove yourself from potential trouble.

Never do anything you feel unsure about. If you are in any way afraid of your date, use your best judgment to diffuse the situation and get out of there. Excuse yourself long enough to call a friend for advice, ask someone else on the scene for help. If you feel you are in danger call the police. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Never worry or feel embarrassed about your behavior. Your safety is much more important than one person’s opinion of you. Regardless of where, or how, you meet someone, dating is never a risk-free activity. A little caution will reduce your risk of being a victim of a web predator.