The Office of fair trading says that online dating fraud is on the increase. Whats been happening is people are creating profiles for themselves on dating websites, then getting in touch with other members. Once they have got to know someone, they try and meet up with the person on a date, but say that they don’t have enough money to meet and try and get the persons personal and financial details or try and get them to send money.This is not really anything new people have been doing this for ages on chat rooms. Personally I don’t think this should put someone off online dating, if anything online dating is safer than conventional dating. All I would suggest is to use a bit of common sense, never give out any personal details online, and never give out financial details to anyone online.The OFT suggest to keep an eye out for these tell tale signs; requests to send cash by money transfer and the only way you can get hold of them is via the internet, and be sceptical if the profile photo is of a very good looking person!If you do want to get in touch with someone don’t give your home address and try buying a pay as you talk sim card rather than using your own mobile number, so if things do go wrong then you don’t have to bother with calls and texts from that person. (most of the phone companies offer free sims from time to time, try the peazyshop forum to see who are giving away free ones check here)