1 How To Spot A Fake Profile

Match.com has recently found itself in the middle of a lawsuit after model Yuliana Avalos learned her photos were posted to the site posing as someone else. Not only was Avalos the target of a backwards catfish, but celebrities such as Al Pacino, Lindsay Lohan, and Jessica Biel were subject to fake profile postings. Avalos is currently suing the site for the amount of 1.5 billion dollars for stealing her likeness, which is not only a huge chunk of change but could also turn Match on its ear in terms of operations. Posting fake profiles is nothing new to online dating though, sadly it is something that is still unregulated although most sites are in the process of becoming more secure to protect both users and non-users of their businesses. But what does these catfish-like events say about the safety of online dating and can this stigma be avoided? When a person signs up for a dating site, paid or free, there are a series of painless hoops to jump through before you can post a profile. As it stands now, there is no linking to any personal accounts or information of any kind which would reveal true identities, such as a social security number or bank account. While this info would greatly reduce the amount of identity theft online, it's not something a dating site can actually request for business, which leaves sites in a lurch. When signing up for a site you're taking a chance on love, not a chance that the person you've been conversing with actually a one-armed pirate from Somalia, yet if MTV's show 'Catfish' has taught us anything, it's that one-armed pirates do exist behind that beautiful smile or wink, but if people fear that these people lurk behind the screen more often than possible connection, they're missing out on one of the best ways to meet someone special. Instead of fearing the unknown or worrying that you'll end up a victim of a catfished profile, be informed instead. When you meet someone online, try to take it offline as soon as possible. Whether that' d be a phone call or a first date, if the person on the other end of the user name isn't too eager to meet to talk, move on. That was you reduce the risk based on your judgement. If someone sparks your interest from across the country or in a different, try a Skype date so you can see one another. Whatever proves you're both real and you're both spectacular. Other good clues that a person might not be who they say they are, are if you ask for more photos and they don't have any. Or if their photos seem like something out of a magazine or if the pics look old and outdated. Also, if a photos triggers a memory that you may have seen this person before, trust your gut and ask more questions. Things that seem too good to be true usually are. Online dating is an exercise in firsts (first date, first conversation, initial interest), so keep plugging away and send original emails out as often as five times a week so you can get closer to your own match. If you focus too much on the 'what if' instead of the payoff, you may have lost your chance to be with a special someone who threw caution to the wind and signed up for an account. Use your inner fishing license and throw anything under regulation size back into the pond.only after you report to the site from whence they came of course.