We’ve all heard of someone who met someone on the Internet and got married—but what about the nightmare stories of people “dating” online—we never hear about those!  Online dating can be very tricky.  You have to learn how to navigate through the spam, the unwanted solicitations and the people who pretend they are someone they aren’t.  There is no way to know the person you are communicating with is for real—and not some sex pervert—or worse.

Use your common sense when the person sends you a message in broken English with bad grammar; if they send you a photo of a handsome man with a great body or a gorgeous woman; if they ask you to video chat or ask for your email address—never video chat or give them your email address; and if they ask you for money or for any personal information—distance yourself as quickly as possible.

Read the person’s profile carefully and try to  do a background check on the person before contacting them. Check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Also be wary of the person who can only see you during the week—they are either married or have another commitment!

Online dating can be tricky. People are less than truthful when it comes to their dating profiles. Men and women lie about different things. They lie through their teeth about physical stature, their race, their wealth, their job, their career, their age, their nationality, and even their marital status.

Whatsyourprice.com surveyed members across the country and found that most New Yorkers lie on their profile. 33 percent of men and 34 percent of women lie on their profile—far more than the national average of 19 percent of men and 27 percent of women. But Washington, D.C. and Atlanta singles are even bigger liars than New Yorkers!

Men are more likely to lie about their salary or their job, about their career, their wealth, whether or not they are smokers, their marital status, their age, showing a recent photo, where they actually live and more. Their entire profile could be one big lie!

Women are more likely to lie about their career, their weight, their nationality, their age, their marital status, showing a recent photo, and more. Their entire profile could also be one big lie!