Online Dating Safety from the Department of Homeland Security
What do you think is the most unlikely organization to show at an online dating conference?
Alright, the Department of Homeland Security may not be the most unlikely but it’s definitely at the top of the list. The information was announced by Ticonderoga Ventures Inc., a sponsor of the iDate Super-Conference. Tom Miller, chief of communications for the DHS United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) will be speaking about deceptive dating tactics in a panel discussion on January 24th. The session is meant for the operators of dating sites to help them prevent fraud.
Mr. Miller is an expert and this appearance is just part of a larger campaign called “Stop. Think. Connect” meant to promote online security.
I for one, find it encouraging. It is nice to know that dating security is in the hands of such authorities on online safety. As it is, dating is an experience to make even the most confident person feel vulnerable and it is comforting to know that someone else is providing protection from fraud. All online daters have to worry about is finding Mr./Ms. Right.
Of course, even with the help of experts like Mr. Miller, it’s worth doing some research yourself. Check online for warnings and safety tips and don’t be shy about reporting anything suspicious to the site’s operators. They all offer some form of personal support and can give you advice if you’re not sure how to proceed.
This is also a place where Consumer-Rankings.com online dating privacy and security reviews can come in handy. There we list the measures that each of the top sites lets you take to protect your privacy, including hiding your profile and location, blocking members and contacting other members from hidden numbers.
Read up on each one before making your choice and between your own precautions and the efforts from experts, online dating can easily be both safe and fun!
6 comments
It is good to know that somebody is taking it seriously – i joined the two leading sites and within two days quickly discovered a nigerian scam operator pursuing me as I inadvertantly used outside the site email address. Shortly after that, my profile was innundated with phony profiles from the site matchmaking system, winks, etc. Despite numerous reports to the site, nothing was “done” or rectified, other than having to remove my profile, lose my money, confidence, and the scammer is still trying to email me (and doesn’t even have the brains to change IP addresses from nigeria).
I was approached today by a scammer by the profile name Olman. I reported the incident to the Site but I haven’t heard from them yet. However I responded to this Olman profile advising them if they contacted me again I would be contacting the authorities. I’m happy to know someone is watching out for us.
Thank You,
Ms. Claudanne Hall
To Add: I too begin to receive many phony profiles all from men 51 years of age writing me long love desires.
Eva: How can I contact you or Mr. Tom Miller? The article doesn’t say where the event was located. I would have like to have gone, if it was located within reach. Also, I cannot find contact info at dhs for Mr. Miller. Thanks.
The event was in Miami, Florida on January 24th. I’m afraid I don’t know how to get in touch with Mr. Tom Miller of the Department of Homeland Security, since I was reporting information from other news sources and press releases.
Good luck finding the information you’re looking for!
Eva
Hi I used Match.com and was scammed by one of your users turned out he was from Ghana Africa and he needed money and I was stupid enough to believe him because I trusted your site. Not your fault totally mine I just thought you would want to know. bonnie57@shaw.ca Bonnie Hall. The guy I thought I met was Collins Jesse from Pittsburgh PA. There is no such guy. His email was collinsjess2@yahoo.com
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