The number of reported girlfriend
scams and other online dating scams is increasing at a fast rate. This is the
reason why many online dating sites are busy trying to keep up with the
challenge of securing their members against this kind of malicious attacks.
The increasing popularity of online
dating sites is even making things worse since scammers now see online dating
sites as a lucrative source of potential victims. The popularity of dating
sites can be attributed to its ability to connect people from all over the
world and create a comfortable platform where they can get to know each other
on a personal level. This kind of site gives hope to the awkward and lonely to
finally meet more people and try their luck at love.
The main concern now is how online
dating sites can help protect honest people from becoming a victim of these
malicious dating scams. To give you an idea, read the list below;
- Proof of Identity
Most of the reputable dating sites
require members to pay a monthly or annual membership fee. Members are required
to pay this fee using their credit card. The member’s credit card details serve
as their identification.
Many online dating sites are closely
working together to help provide additional security to their members. These
reputable dating sites are mostly members of the organizations Date Safe
Campaign and the Online Dating Association.
These organizations are specifically founded to combine the efforts of
the different websites against dating fraud such as online girlfriend scams.
- Member Screening Feature
The member screening of dating sites
differs from one another. For example, some dating sites ensure that all their
members are single by prohibiting married people from signing up. Some dating
sites on the other hand use the data from the national sex offender registry to
keep malicious people from signing up. Other dating sites continuously provide
warning about the different dating scams like online girlfriend scams to keep
their member safe.
- Security Program Features
Every dating site has their own cool
security feature that helps keep their members safe from common dating scams.
The Zoosk’s photo verification system is one good example of this feature. Zoosk
is one of the reputable dating sites online, by using this feature the members
of the Zoosk dating site gets a “Photo Verified” badge. A Photo Verified badge
means that the site is vouching for the accuracy of the member’s profile photo.
This process automatically eliminates many online girlfriend scams that use
fake profile pictures.
Another security feature can be found in
popular dating site Match is known as MatchTalk. MatchTalk enable members to
call each other without having to disclose their actual phone number. This
feature is especially handy for members whose relationship didn’t work out.
- Secure Browsing
Most, if not all dating sites use HTTPS
signals. This means that all the communication between your browser and the
online dating site is encrypted and being communicated through a secure
channel. This way it would be difficult for hackers to intercept the
communication or harvest any sensitive information that you are relaying
through this channel.
Of course, these security features
can only help reduce the chance of your meeting a scammer on dating sites, but
it cannot completely eliminate the possibility that there are some girlfriend
scams that’ll be able to slip through the cracks.
