If you are receiving emails from someone who is harassing you online dating services will give you the ability to block that member. Sometimes they may even cancel the person's membership if you ask them to.

You must use your discretion at all times.

You should never give your address, place of employment, phone number, or email address to anyone you are chatting with online. If you are going to call someone who you met online it's best that you do not use your home phone to make that call. It would be more appropriate to make that phone call from your cell phone because people can use your home phone number to find your address.

Be on the alert for anyone who demands personal information from you.

If you have been conversing with someone online and they are forcing you to give them some personal information you should be suspicious of this person. You should say no if anyone is demanding that you tell them your address, your full name, where and when you go to the gym to work out, or where you go to study.

You should keep the conversation vague.

It's ok to tell the person that you go to the public library to study everyday. However, it's not ok to tell them which public library you go to and what time you generally go. Sometimes you may get caught up in a great conversation and you may end up giving away more information than you should.

Certain people are very good at putting the pieces to the puzzle together and you may be surprised at how much information the person know about you, based on the little bit of information you told them. It's very important that you keep the conversation vague.

Follow your instincts.

For certain reasons you may feel uncomfortable chatting with someone. One of the best things about online dating that it gives you the opportunity to block other members from contacting you. Online dating gives you the opportunity to forget about them and move on.

Online dating can be a useful too to help you achieve your goal of meeting a compatible partner. However, it can be dangerous if you do not use your commonsense. Follow these safety tips and you will be on your way to finding a partner online.