Avoid Safety Hazards and Other Pitfalls On Your SMS Date

You have met the most absolute perfect person via a mobile phone dating service, and now it is finally time to meet. But is he or she as perfect as they seem, and how can you really tell that everything that was conveyed via all those wonderfully romantic text messages was true? Before you set up your first SMS date, there are some things you absolutely have to consider, and some safety measures you need to take.

If you are meeting this person, you really need to know his or her first and last name. And you need to make sure that a really close friend or family member knows what you know. If the absolute worst happens, and something bad happens on your date, you need to have some backup.

On the same note, arrange a public meeting place for your initial meeting, and make sure your friend knows exactly where you are going. Also make sure that you have your cell phone on you.

During the texting and other contact that leads up to the very first meeting, pay attention to your prospective date. This may just sound like good advice for not being rude, but it is also a good safety tip. No matter how great he or she may seem, if a person talks in circles, contradicts earlier stories with new information on a consistent basis, or answers questions in a cagey manner, something may not be what it seems.

Always be honest. You do not want to meet your Mr. or Ms. Right only to find out that they are not who they said they were and that even their picture was a lie. No one would want that from you either, and it will only guarantee your date will end badly.

Until you have had more than one SMS date with this person, never give out your home address, or leave your ID lying around. Until you are comfortable with someone and have built up some trust, you do not want them to know where you live.

Equally important to your address is any financial information. Sadly, there are people out there who use mobile phone dating services and online dating services to find victims for financial fraud schemes. Never give your date money or offer up financial information or access to your bank account - no matter how charming he or she is.

When considering setting up an SMS date, be patient. Make sure you feel comfortable with the personality of the person on the other end of the text messages you have been receiving. Sometimes, taking more time will lead to a more successful first meeting.

Do not jump right into hot and heavy texting before getting to know someone. If you are not the type of person that would walk up to a complete stranger in a bar and kiss them, then sending hot text messages right away may send the wrong message about your personality and attract the wrong type of person. If you are not this type of person, you certainly would not want to find yourself on an SMS date with someone who was.