The newsprint personals that some of us remember are fast becoming a thing of the past, being replaced by online dating sites. Within this genre of web sites, literally hundreds of them are offered exclusively as senior dating services. These range from those that do not require a fee for membership, to video dating sites that can cost hundreds of dollars to join. Older singles who have joined such sites number in the tens of thousands, increasing the odds that they will find a solid match who shares their values and beliefs. As with any online dating services, however, there are certain facts of which you should be aware to prevent yourself from, at the least having a bad date, to the other end of the spectrum - preventing yourself from becoming the victim of scammers who prey on unwary members, particularly those who target older citizens.

Today there are more than one billion people who use the Internet and the online dating services industry is pulling in about a billion and a half dollars each year. Out of all these people, no matter what their age, there are honest, sincere folks and there are bad apples. This applies to senior dating services just as much to dating services in general. So, while this is still a wonderful way to meet someone, arming yourself with knowledge and trusting your instincts is paramount to having good experiences in the online dating community.

First, be wary of senior dating services sites that do not adequately screen their members, or that do not offer methods of communication that allow you to protect your personal information. Look for sites that allow you to narrow your search by geographic region. While it is possible to find the love of your life in a faraway land, the logistics of making it work will not be worth it, and many scammers often claim to be from another country and need your "help" to get on a plane to come to you. This "help" generally takes the form of money for a plane ticket - just say no to any request of this type.

Be aware that many people find it much easier to fudge facts on the Web than they would normally, so if someone's picture seems too good to be true, it probably is. While we all believe ourselves to be more attractive in our youth, it is a form of cheating to post a photo that is thirty years old (unless labeled as such). What happens when you meet that person face-to-face is that you quickly determine that they've aged a great deal in the intervening years, and trust in that person will be hard to find thereafter. If you are on a senior dating services site, you should be seeing seniors - if the picture doesn't match the stated age, that will be your clue.

It's a sad statement on mankind, but warrants some discussion, that some people out there are simply looking to be taken care of. If you are not interested in becoming someone's sugar-daddy or sugar-mama, then steer clear of "youngsters" who claim to be attracted to you, but who are really only attracted to the hand-outs you may be tempted to provide in return for their attention. Selecting a senior dating services site, rather than a general dating site, can help to protect you from running across those people who want to put their hand in your pocket or pocketbook.

Finally, report and block any users who ask you for your personal information or who request money from you, even donations for a good cause. These people are not looking for someone to date, but are looking for an easy mark.

There are many quality senior dating services offered on the Internet, and it is possible to find one that can result in positive and meaningful matches. Just remember to carefully research the site before signing up, and always trust your instincts when dealing with other members.