Safety guidelines for your online dating

HoustonConnect.com is a safe place to interact with other people. On HoustonConnect.com, your privacy is of the highest importance. Therefore, we do not require our members to submit to online background checks. However, we do encourage all our members to use precaution when meeting anyone new - both online and offline.

Be careful with your personal information:

1. The most secure way to start the dating process is to communicate solely via HoustonConnect.com. Do not post personal information such as email addresses, telephone number, address information in your profile.



2. Do not reveal personal information such as telephone number, home address, or your last name at any time during your interaction. Make sure you have sufficient knowledge about the other person before meeting in person.



3. Make sure you set up an email account specifically for your online dating. This allows you to continue your communication without revealing any direct contact information. If you decide to chat on the phone, make sure you call from an anonymous cell phone or a pay phone. Do not reveal your home number before meeting in person.

Use common sense:

1. Ask many questions to ensure consistency. If a person gives you inconsistent information about his/her employment, age, or other relevant information, you should be on guard. Requesting a picture may also help to give you an idea about the person's appearance.



2. Be aware of members who do not respect your decision to stay anonymous. Serious members will respect your decisions and give you the time you need to feel secure.



3. Watch for suspicious behavior. Make sure the person does not display signals of anger, rudeness, severe frustration, or impatience.



4. If you decide to meet offline do not provide any personal information, but rather arrange to meet at a public place, such as a popular restaurant. Provide your own transportation and make sure a friend knows where you are, whom you are meeting, and when to expect you home.



5. Be aware if your date appears significantly different in person.



6. If you feel threatened or uncomfortable when meeting your date, excuse yourself for a moment, and then call a friend to pick you up or ask someone at the scene to follow you to your car. When your personal information is still confidential, you have nothing to fear.



7. If your relationship grows pay attention to whether he/she avoids introducing you to friends, family, or business associates. A person who does not have anything to hide will not prevent you from meeting important persons in his/her life.

Contact us if you see or experience anything strange:

1. Meeting strangers is always a risk regardless of whether you meet them online, at a club, or even through friends. Even so, HoustonConnect.com's mission is to provide a safe environment for your initial contact. We believe that HoustonConnect.com, in combination with your own instincts and judgments, secures your dating experience.



2. Report any dangerous experience to the local law enforcement agency and help keep our online and offline community safe and friendly.