TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS: If you have that feeling deep down that something is not quite right, your feeling just might be right. Even after you have done all the right things, Free emails, cell phones, SKYPE and are to the point that you meet someone, if you have the gut feeling that something is wrong. Make an excuse and leave.

DO NOT PROVIDE TOO MUCH INFORMATION TOO SOON: Giving your name and phone number seems innocent enough. That, however, is too much to give early in a relationship. Just a name and phone number is enough for someone to get your address, you place of employment, your income, your home value and mortgage amount, and even more. Be protective of your information. Watch for the next installment to see how to communicate safely.

USE THE FREE EMAIL ACCOUNT THAT WE PROVIDE: We provide the free members email as a way to stay safe and keep your anonymity as long a you like. We also have IM and Chat Rooms for your convenience and safety. You can also get an email account from hotmail, gmail or yahoo mail that you can use for dating contacts only. Do not put your last name in the field when signing up. We are concerned with your safety. Please use all security you can until you are ready to move to the next step.

DO NOT USE YOUR HOME PHONE: Caller ID will give the other person your home number. Use a cell phone or better yet a pre paid cell phone. You can also use SKYPE to communicate. Senior Date Network is compatible with your SKYPE. This is just another layer of security until you get to know the other person better.

Tip #5 for Safe Dating

BEWARE OF MARRIED PEOPLE: We ask people to provide relationship status. The truth is that people, even Christians lie. In a MSNBC study up to 30% of dating site members are married. We will have more on some signs that someone is married.

ASK FOR A RECENT PHOTO: You have a right to request a RECENT photo. When you see the photo along with personality insights, you can get a pretty good idea of the person. If the photo provided looks old, or has hints of something in the background that dates it as old, it might be time to move on. Use your SKYPE. That is a real time video and it can't be photo shopped.

HAVE YOUR FIRST MEETING IN A PUBLIC PLACE: Meet at a public place. DO NOT LET SOMEONE PICK YOU UP AT YOUR HOUSE! Provide your own transportation. Make sure that a friend know where you are and who you are with. As the date progresses, you will get gut feelings and your instincts will help you to feel your way through.

DON'T GET SCAMMED!

Every day scammers target vulnerable people that use online dating sites. One of the most prevalent scams is that the scammer will pose as a woman over seas.

They will initiate the contact by taking you off the site and communicating on the scammers email.THAT IS WHY WE PROVIDE EMAIL BETWEEN MEMBERS! PLEASE USE THE EMAIL FUNCTION ON SeniorDateNetwork.com. The communications will continue with the relationship getting stronger until the scammer professes their love for you. When you respond like feelings things move quickly.

An "Emergency" (for example Mother is in the hospital and needs surgery) and they need money from you. Another is that the scammer wants to come to meet you but does not have the money for travel and a VISA. These scams get quite elaborate, even with the scammer hiring an attractive woman to make you feel obligated. THIS IS A SCAM!! DO NOT FOLLOW THIS CONTACT!!

A scammer will want to communicate through their email. Use the email that we provide.

A scammer will furnish pictures of beautiful women. Many times it is a picture that was scanned from a magazine. It is best to use SKYPE. Even then, be careful. As we said, the scammers will hire beautiful women.

The scammer will shower you with attention, but will not share info about themselves. The scammer will always initiate the relationship.

THE SCAMMER WILL ASK FOR MONEY!!! DO NOT FALL FOR IT!!

Always look for red flags. These are a few other measures that you can take to protect yourself.

1)Be the one to initiate communication.

2)Guard your privacy and personal information.

3)Be wary of overseas contacts. Most of the scams initiate overseas.

4)Trust your "gut instinct"

5)Never reply to communications from someone that sends you a note and immediately includes thier email address to continue the communication.

6)ALWAYS USE THE EMAIL SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE.