[seeker1950]

OMG....I was age 47, recently divorced from a 20 year unhappy (all the time) marriage, and then I thought I'd meet "Mr. Right" online....let me tell you...just from this exp. from which I nearly lost everything....be very careful.
BE careful! It still amazes me that I am still surviving after the stupid involvements in which I engaged. I know many find their "soulmate" online, but there are probably many more exponentially who engage with a sociopath or con artist like I did.
I'm fine...now...alone, but want to share this because there are many out there, even still my age whom I know who are still trying to meet that dream man online. Just be careful.

[healingme4me]

Sometimes, one needs to just let love find you. Sorry you got swindled.

[Harmacy]

I've given up on online dating for now until the industry is better regulated.

As well as fraudsters using these sites, the sites themselves are often obviously using fake profiles and other scams to get people to sign up.

There's a site called Cupid.com who were recently exposed by UK TV as using fake profiles - some were even celebrities! They identified them by dragging images into Google image search and getting actor's profiles - some of whom, when contacted, had no idea they were being used on a dating site and having fake messages sent out in their name! And that site is still up and running!! The documentary also showed how people's details were being stored and sold on in databases which makes me wary of the free sites as some of these could be ways of collecting personal data.

My advice, if you leave a site then always ask them to delete your account and not pass on any details to 3rd party companies. Many just suspend it meaning they get to retain all of your personal info on their servers.

[waiting4]

Or you could 'update' your profile....by erasing it. That works too.

[choosinghappiness]

I'm currently in the process of unraveling an online relationship/marriage with a sociopath. The thing is, I was single for thirteen years...THIRTEEN, and just fine with that. This man completely swept me off my feet. I felt/feel so stupid for falling for his lies. I'm an intelligent woman, am good at spotting insincerity, lies, etc. I have met many nice men online over the years, but after this one experience, I'm done. Not worth the risk to me anymore. Oh and "Seeker" I am also in that over 40 age category. Thank you for sharing your experience. Makes me feel better.

[LadyShadow]

I'm 33 and went on a lot of online dates in my 20s. They weren't good for finding the "right one". Lots of one night stands involved there. I admit I let them sucker me, I'm not the best at reading people.

I have a date tomorrow that I am nervous about. I met him online. We will meet in a public place.

"...are probably many more exponentially who engage with a sociopath or con artist like I did"

I disagree that there are MORE of them. They are out there and all it takes is one to make someone's life hell but I doubt there are that many "sociopathic online dates" like you make it sound. I know that you are jaded and that's understandable but there are far more peopel that find decent dates than get defrauded.

yes be careful but please keep this in perspective.

Also, I am not a pro-online dating person at all. I have no desire to do so but it's not because of the fear like you have either.

Hang in there there's someone for you. Online dating is only one place to find potential mates.

Originally Posted by s4ndm4n2006

They are out there and all it takes is one to make someone's life hell but I doubt there are that many "sociopathic online dates" like you make it sound. I know that you are jaded and that's understandable but there are far more peopel that find decent dates than get defrauded...

Agree.
I didn't find the man of my dreams, but i wasn't conned or swindled.
I went on several fairly normal, usually pretty pleasant, fun dates. A couple
of them made for lengthy engagement.

Nothing terribly longterm or overly serious came of it, but it was a good experience.

[nicoleflynn]

I have been single for 10 years and on different sites...all I can say is....pathetic......

Being alone at 67 is icky, and I am so careful; I don't even give them my real name and always meet them somewhere....restaurant.....didn't have a date for 2 years and now I have 2 dates in 3 weeks,...I have no expectations....I wonder what happened to morals, manners and class!

[MissTery]

I have to say, I was not a fan of online dating...always thought it would be my last resort to meeting someone in "real" life. I registered for POF on a recommendation from my friend, and a month later, I met my current boyfriend. We met up at a local bar, and it was crazy chemistry!!! He's smart and sweet and caring and loving...everything I could ask for. Yes, he is Bipolar, but thats just a part of him.

Online dating can be quite interesting...