Recent Arrest Of Man Suspected Of Rape May Highlight Potential Risks Of Online Dating
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — With dating sites exploding in popularity so may be the risks to people who use them.
"If you're really busy like I am and you have a lot going on, it's a great way to get to know a wide variety of people," said a Los Angeles-area woman, who uses online dating sites, and asked not to be identified.
She says she is alarmed to learn police arrested Alejandro Martinez of Long Beach on suspicion of two counts of rape after he allegedly met one of the victims on Match.com.
Just a few months prior, police arrested a different man accused of raping a woman he met on Tinder.
"That is very shocking to me. I really feel for the girls," the woman said.
"You can't prevent everything, but at least knowing in the back of your mind, 'I need to be careful going into this online relationship,' is very important," said Deputy Tony Moore of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Law enforcement experts suggest these precautions:
• Drive yourself to the date;
• Meet in a public place, not a home; and
• Tell family and friends your plans, including where you're going and who you're going with.
CBS Los Angeles called and emailed Match.com and Tinder Tuesday night, but have not heard back. Both do provide safety tips online.
The Attorney General's office confirms Match.com, eHarmony, and others agreed in 2012 to check members against a national sex offender registry. Tinder was not part of that agreement.
But, as CBS2's Erica Nochlin reports, those background checks aren't always reliable. They don't require a fingerprint so someone could use a fictional name or even a fake profile.
"My gut is pretty good and I listen to it," the woman added.
