10:50 am Monday, 16th September, 2013
Do you think that you could tell from a person’s online dating profile what’s dodgy and what’s not? If you struggle to see issues when searching out a prospective date online then take note on the following points. We think that they might just help you to see though someone’s profile and identify some potential issues.
Mentioning Ex
Why mention an ex? The words :leave it, spring to mind. This could be a sign that you’re about to hook up with a bit of a nightmare so we would certainly stay clear of an ex wielding dating profile.
Little information
If you’re serious about meeting someone then you would surely take the small amount of time that's involved when expanding your details and your likeliness of attracting someone to your profile. So be wary of anyone who has made a minimum effort with theirs.
Description and personal details not corresponding
Fakers may not be completely consistent, so check for inconsistencies in their description and rest of their profile against the details they've divulged with you in any personal communication you may have shared.
Giving out private email on moderated site
Why leave a moderated site to talk? Watch for people enticing you away from the site to chat using personal emails. The site records your interaction so you’re safer where you are.
Dodgy photos
If you’re going to post a picture of yourself, then you would want to make it your best with a reasonable degree of clarity and a representation of yourself. Unclear and hazy photos are something that give reason to approach a profile with caution. Sometimes a member may not want to provide a full profile picture due to an issue with confidence in their appearance, but there are also people that have joined for reasons other than to find a date, hook-up or chat. These members join to spam and/or con members and are in the very small minority, but do exist and are increasingly using dating sites for these purposes. This is why a member's profile picture should be an accurate representation of themselves.
Group photos
You wouldn’t use a picture of your product along side other products to promote your brand, so why would you use a group picture? This makes no sense. If they don’t have individual pictures of themselves then be vigilant.
Big Email
Too little information is a bad thing when it comes to an introduction email, but so is too much of it. Also watch out for the content, does it sound generic and false? The person mailing may have copy pasted the message and sent it out to more than just you.
Too demanding
Ever read someone’s profile and they want this and that and don’t like this and that: with no reference to what they are like as a person. We say steer clear and don’t even test the water. A demanding person such as this could be entirely self-centered and not in any way looking to see how happy they could make the other person.
Changing plans
Games. Why oh why? If they change their plans from can meet you to can’t meet you last minute then we warn you not to waste your time on people who are willing to mess you around.
Way with words
If you have not long met someone and they are already admitting their undying love for you then it sounds like they may be obsessive, for your own good consider cutting ties with them
Withholding information
If you’re going to date someone, why would they need to withhold information, especially if you’re going to meet in person. Be careful.
We hope these tips have helped you identify some warning signs in online d
