Online Dating Magazine reports roughly 280,000 couples are now married yearly started by first meeting online. Meeting that special person online is now ranked third with friends or love ones being second and meeting someone at school or work number one. It has been estimated people spend 1.5 billion dollars a year on online dating sites & services. If you plan to try online dating sites or services, have a great time, but practice a little iPrevention. Before starting or if you’re already involved with online dating sites, read my article I’ve posted at my Scribd account, www.scribd.com/iPredator, and be sure to follow the tips below. Have a great time and “listen to your heart, but follow your logic.”

1. Make sure the online dating site posts their physical address in addition to phone numbers for contact. A reputable company always does.

2.  If you’re interested in a particular dating site or service, do a Google search first and check out the first 3-5 pages to see what others have said about the site.

3.  Make sure your personal details will not be visible or passed on to third parties. Read each online dating site's privacy statement and make sure they specifically define if and how your personal information will be shared.

4.  Set up a new email account for online dating that will be separate from all personal and work accounts. Make it your personal dating email account.

5. Keep Personal Details Private. An online dating site with your profile is designed to attract a potential partner. This doesn’t mean you need to disclose personal details on your profile.

6.  Don’t give away too much and remember to only give out a little. In addition to keeping your personal details closely guarded, review your entire profile, privacy setting and account settings to make sure you’re not giving out any unnecessary information.

7.  Use a bland or regular Username. When choosing a username, be aware of loaded or hidden meanings it may have. Also, never use any part of your real name in your username or public profile.

Tips if you’ve planned a first date

8.  Arrange to meet. When meeting for the first time, never allow your date to pick you up from your home. In fact, your date shouldn't even know where you live.

9.  Meet in a public place. For a first date, always meet in a public place where other people are close by. You may also want to consider going out with a group of people, or a double date.

10.  If you decide to go Dutch, pay with cash. Never leave a paper trail.

11.  Always provide your own transportation to your public meeting place for your first date and be sure to tell that person in a creative way others know who you’re with and where.

12.  Always tell a friend or loved one where you're going. Be sure someone knows where you’re going, whom you'll be with and an exact time you’ll be calling him or her to let them know you’re fine.

13. It's always safer to give out your cell phone number instead of your home phone number. Never give out your home phone number before or after your first date.

14.  Stick with paid online dating sites and/or services. Free online dating services provide a greater opportunity for potentially dangerous individuals. They don't ever have to provide a credit card or other information that identifies them.

15. Do your homework. Only sign up with dating sites or service after you’ve carefully read the Terms & Conditions, understand their billing if it’s a paid site and checked out their reputation.

Dr. Nuccitelli’s recommended link to read up on regarding online dating sites & services. www.onlinedatingmagazine.com

Author Bio:  Dr. Michael Nuccitelli is a New York State licensed psychologist and certified forensic consultant. He completed his doctoral degree in clinical psychology in 1994 from the Adler School in Chicago, Illinois. In 2006, he received the Certified Forensic Consultant, C.F.C., designation from the American College of Forensic Examiners (ACFEI.) Dr. Nuccitelli is a New York State resident residing 65 miles North of Manhattan.

Over the last 25 years, Dr. Nuccitelli has worked in the mental health field in a variety of capacities with various clinical populations. Concurrent with his employment in mental health, Dr. Nuccitelli was a practicing psychologist for 10 years and worked in the area of forensic psychology conducting forensic evaluations and providing consulting services for attorneys and court systems. Presently, he’s a consultant providing his expertise to the community, attorneys and media.

Dr. Nuccitelli has many career and academic experiences. His areas of expertise include forensic psychology, theoretical criminology, digital/computer forensics, human sexuality, psychiatric illness and psychological issues. He is an avid follower of national news and enjoys interfacing with the media.

Dr. Nuccitelli enjoys investigating his construct he has designed and trademarked called iPredator. He is presently working with the American College of Forensic Examiners to become the resource and hub for the public seeking information on digital/computer forensics, internet predators, cyber security and training programs for the professional sector and law enforcement.   

Michael Nuccitelli Psy.D., C.F.C.

NYS Licensed Psychologist

Email: drnucc@hotmail.com

Blog: http://darkpsychology.co/

Scribd:  http://www.scribd.com/iPredator

Facebook: The iPredator