Have you ever met someone through an Internet dating site? How much did you know about them before the big date?

Millions of people use Internet dating services. It can be a fun and exciting experience, but are these online dating sites really safe? A recent story propelled that question directly into the spotlight.

An Unfortunate Tale

Abraham Fortune appeared to be a typical person in the singles scene. He had profiles on several well-known dating personals sites. His photo and biography painted a pleasant picture of the man, but he left off one monumental fact. Abraham Fortune is a convicted murderer.

Fortune’s past was discovered by The San Antonio Express News, and they ran a revealing story about the date seeker. Since then his profile was removed from the internet dating websites he frequented, but this incident made it clear that many of these sites do not run background checks on their members.

Keeping A Low Profile

To get involved in the Internet dating scene, you have to create a profile with a photo, bio and other personal information. All of this data is provided by the person who creates the account, and the validity is often questioned. Who hasn’t heard comments about "doctored" photos being displayed, or people uploading pictures taken many years ago?

When people create profiles, they can get creative with their biography or leave out key information, as was so startlingly demonstrated in the case of Abraham Fortune. So how do you know if the details you see are accurate or complete?

Get The Facts First

It’s true that many internet dating sites do not run security checks on their members. While it is understood that people want to put their best foot forward when creating a profile, where do you draw the line for what can and cannot be left out? If someone conceals a criminal past, isn’t that taking things too far?

When it comes to security on internet dating sites, it may be up to you to protect yourself. That means checking up on people before you agree to a date. Run a comprehensive background check on anyone who grabs your interest. You can find out if they have a criminal record, and learn some other potentially worthwhile information about their past.

Take The Blind Out Of Dating

Years ago, people who went on blind dates often knew very little about the person they agreed to spend time with. These days, however, there is no reason to go blindly forward. You can learn a lot about a stranger before you say yes to a date.

So how safe are internet dating sites? Just as safe as any other website that allows strangers to interact. In the end your security is up to you, so be careful out there. The Internet provides a wealth of resources to help you through every situation. Get the facts you need in advance, and always protect yourself on the singles dating scene.