Meeting Online
Be careful about the information you give out. Never supply your last name, outside email address, personal website address, home address, phone number, place of work, social security number, or other identifying information in your profile or in your initial emails. If anyone tries to pressure or deceive you into revealing personal information, immediately stop corresponding with them. Please continue to use the LDS Dimension messaging system to maintain your anonymity for as long as you want, that is what it is there for.
Guarding Your Identity
Protect your online access information. Use caution when accessing your account from a public or shared computer so that others are not able to view or record your password or other personal information. If you share your computer with others, consider disabling your auto-sign in feature if you have linked an auto log-in program or feature to your LDS Dimension account.
As You Get To Know Each Other
Trust your feelings and move slowly as you get to know each other. When you correspond, be on the lookout for strange behavior or inconsistencies. Ask questions and be sure you are satisfied with the answers. If you think someone is lying, they probably are. Pay attention to conversation topics. If a person tends to steer the conversation towards sexual themes, walk away. Take all the time you need before moving to a more personal relationship.
When There's Mutual Interest
Photos help get a sense of someone, try to get as many pictures in as many natural situations as possible. Give your trust gradually, and only from consistent and honorable behavior. Stay away from intimate conversations, it isn't appropriate at this stage of getting to know each other, this should be a red flag for you.
Continues Correspondence
Talking on the phone is a good way to get to know each other better and get a sense of their personality and social skills. However, follow whatever steps you can to avoid giving out your phone number prematurely. An option like Google Voice provides you a lot of flexibility to both hide your actual number and to block calls from certain numbers if it becomes necessary. Really listen to your new friend and how they answer, act and react to various questions, you want to make sure you are entirely comfortable with the responses.
Meeting In Person
Don't allow yourself to be pressured in to meeting in person. Any kind of pressure is almost always a red flag, so don't tolerate it. If you do set up a meeting but don't feel comfortable, you can change your mind and let the person know. Anyone that is seriously interested in you will understand you need more time till you feel comfortable.
The Meeting
Don't go alone! Double or group date for your first meeting. Always tell someone where you are going and when you will return, and leave your date's name and phone number with that person. Never have your date pick you up. If you decide mid-date to go somewhere else, drive yourself. Meet in a safe, public place. DO NOT meet in your residence - or theirs. Be safe now. There will be time for solitude later.
If you are meeting outside your area: If you're flying in, make your own transportation and lodging reservations, and keep them to yourself. Don't meet your date at your hotel. If the meeting location you've chosen seems unsafe or inappropriate to you, go back to your hotel. Always make sure someone knows your plans and has your contact information. If possible, carry a cell phone at all times.
Be concerned if your date never introduces you to colleagues, friends, or family, or if they look very different from photos posted online.