| Safety-wise, meeting on the Internet
is inherently similar to meeting offline. As long as the same standard
dating precautions are followed, cyber-savvy daters can feel truly at ease
while getting to know each other. The main thing to remember: trust your
instincts and use common sense just like you would offline. |
| You can rest assured that you're
in the right place because Spark Networks, the company that brings
you AmericanSingles.com, has been in the online personals business since the early
days of the Internet and goes to extra lengths to ensure that its sites
stay clean and safe. We do our best to monitor and block emails of anyone
who uses profanity, hustles or is not serious about finding a relationship.
We also keep all contacts between members onsite so your email address remains
confidential. |
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| Before you get started, here are a few guidelines to
keep in mind. |
| Helpful Hints |
- Remember that you are in control of your online experience at all
times. You can remain completely anonymous until you feel ready.
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- You are also in control when it comes to taking an online relationship
offline. Plus, you have an advantage online because you can get to know
each other before you meet. Remember that you don't need to take anything
further than the computer or phone wires until you feel completely at
ease. Go at your own pace!
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- When you do decide to meet face to face, pick a public place and
provide your own transportation to and fro. Tell a friend where you're
going and check in when you return home.
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- Never include your personal contact information in your profile,
especially telephone numbers, email, home address or your last name,
and only give them out when your instincts tell you this is someone
you can trust. It's okay to take your time.
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- Set up an email account just for online personals.
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- Ask a lot of questions and watch for inconsistencies.
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- Stay away from members who won't take no for an answer or pressure
you for any kind of personal information. Serious cyber-savvy daters
will respect your space and allow you to take your time.
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- Even with our strong effort to ensure the quality of our sites,
we cannot guarantee perfection in the system. To deal with this, we
have a customer care staff hotline, and we ask members to call
toll free if they see anything strange so that we can research it.
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- If someone asks you to go to their personal web site or asks you
for money, use common sense not to oblige and then report the situation
to us.
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- If someone gives you a phone number with a strange area code, check
it out to make sure it's not a charge number before you make the call.
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- Using your own good judgment is your best bet because ultimately
you are responsible for your personal experience. Trust your instincts
and then have fun with the right people!
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