2. Take your time - Get to know the person over the Internet and let the relationship develop before you meet them in person. Keep the old e-mail to compare the information they give you and watch for inconsistencies.

3. Ask a lot of questions - This will help you detect liars and cons and it will help you find out if you're compatible.

4. Ask a friend to read over the e-mail you receive - An unbiased observer can spot warning signs you missed.

5. Don't believe everything you read online - People can pretend to be whatever and whomever they like.

6. Don't give out personal information online - This is information that would allow someone to find you offline, i.e. your full name, where you work, where you live, your phone or fax number. Use an anonymous e-mail address through services like Hotmail.com or Yahoo.com. When setting up the account, be sure not to include any of your personal information.

7. Start with a phone call - Use a public phone at first. Don't give out your home number until you're comfortable.

8. Meet in a public place - If possible, take a friend with you. A double date is a safe way to start. If you don't take a friend, go someplace where there are people. Start with coffee or lunch.

9. Tell a friend - Make sure someone knows whom you are meeting, where you're going and when you're coming back. Keep all the e-mail and let your friend know where to find them if anything goes wrong.

10. Take a cellular phone.

11. Never leave public areas or go home with your date. Stay in public until you know the person better.

12. Trust your intuition - If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

13. Report any attacks or threats - Don't be embarrassed to report problems to the police. Remember, if you don't report them, the same thing could happen to someone else. Also, report any problems to the online dating service you used.