Online Dating Safety Guide

REPUBLICAN SINGLES

ONLINE DATING SAFETY GUIDE

Last Revised: January 28, 2019

This guide will help make your online dating experience safer, more fun, and generally more comfortable.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT REPUBLICAN SINGLES LLC DOES NOT CONDUCT BACKGROUND SCREENINGS OR PROVIDE BACKGROUND CHECKS ON OUR USERS, SUBSCRIBERS, OR MEMBERS, NOR DO WE INQUIRE INTO OR ATTEMPT TO VERIFY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY OUR USERS, SUBSCRIBERS, OR MEMEBRS. YOUR ONLINE AND OFFLINE SAFETEY ARE SOLELY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE VISIT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION’S ONLINE DATING SCAMS SITE: HTTP://WWW.ONGUARDONLINE.GOV/ARTICLES/0004-ONLINE-DATING-SCAMS

1.   CREATING YOUR PROFILE: protect your personal information and your identity.

a.   Be Anonymous: do not use your contact information, such as your last name or your location (work or home) in your profile.

b.   Protect Your Account: be cautious when accessing your REPUBLICAN SINGLES account from shared or public computers. Be sure someone using the shared or public computer after you cannot log into your account. Be sure others in the public area cannot see your personal information.

c.   Protect your Password: Do not share your password with anyone. If you feel your password has been compromised, you can change your password by accessing the “Profile Edit” page of your account.

2.   CONNECTING ONLINE: get to know people well

a.   Communicate Through REPUBLICAN SINGLES: get to know a person slowly and with caution here before communicating through social media or your personal email or phone number.

b.   Research: As you get to know someone through REPUBLICAN SINGLES, do your due diligence. Do a web search for the person you are getting to know. See if they are on social media sites like Facebook. Use public records and paid services to protect yourself against criminal conduct.

c.   Never Send Money: Money order and gift card scams are rampant. Never send anyone any money and protect your financial information, such as your credit card and bank account numbers.

d.   Report Suspicious Behavior: You may report any subscriber or member by visiting their profile and choosing “Report Profile” from the dropdown options. Any suspicious behavior or behavior that violates the REPUBLICAN SINGLES Terms of Use can be reported to: REPUBLICAN SINGLES LLC, Attn: Abuse Report, PO BOX 6115, La Quinta, CA, 92248. You can block any subscriber or member by visiting their profile page and choosing “Block” from the dropdown options.

3.   MEETING IN-PERSON: continue to exercise caution when meeting in-person.

a.   Don’t go on a date without telling anyone. Let your friend and family know where you’re going and when you plan on being home.

b.   Don’t meet in an isolated place or at a stranger’s home. Meet in public with plenty of lighting and people around.

c.   Don’t let anyone pick you up at home or work. Rather, arrange your own transportation and meet at the location of the date.

d.   Don’t leave your drink unattended. Monitor your alcohol intake.

e.   Don’t leave your personal items unattended. Keep your cell phone, wallet, purse, and any other personal items with you at all times.

f.     Don’t feel pressured to stay or do anything you don’t want to do. Leave whenever you feel uncomfortable.

g.   Don’t go to a place where you can’t contact anyone. Keep your cell phone with you and touch base with someone during your date.

h.   Don’t return home from your date without telling someone. Let someone know when you’re home safely.

4.   HOW TO IDENTIFY SCAMMERS: here are some common behaviors of scammers. Please report any suspicious activity by using the “Report Profile” feature on any user’s profile page or by contacting us at the address above.

a.   Asking You for Money: scammers will often try and get you to send them money orders or gift cards so they can travel to see you, or so they can pay for the needs of a loved one.

b.   Contacting You from Another Country: scammers will often contact you from a different country from yours claiming to be stuck and needing help to get back.

c.   Pressuring You for Personal Information: scammers will often try and extract a lot of personal information out of you right away.

d.   Offering You an Opportunity: scammers will often offer you an opportunity, like a job or an investment.

e.   Directing You to Other Websites: scammers will often direct you to other dating sites or pornographic sites, or they will try and get you to communicate through other channels.

f.     Dodging Your Questions: scammers will often change the subject or reply in a way that seems to not make any sense, or they will repeat themselves.

g.   Claiming to Love You: scammers will often claim to have strong feelings or will push for a serious relationship right away or without meeting in person first.

h.   Refusing to Meet in Person: scammers will often refuse to meet, even after an extended introductory period.