"ALL ABOARD!"

No matter if you are on the Orient Express, on the bow (the front of the ship) with a man who wants to be "King of the World" or in a rental car fighting unfamiliar traffic, you are traveling. Being a traveler means you are at a disadvantage because you usually have no idea where the heck you are, In this article I will address foreign and domestic travel safety issues.

Safety begins when you pack. To avoid being a target, leave the expensive looking jewelry at home, do not mark yourself as an affluent tourist. Carry the minimum number of valuables. Your passport , cash and credit cards are safest when locked in your hotel safe, but if you have to carry them, avoid putting them in handbags, outside pockets, or a back pack.. I suggest putting them in inside pockets or a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest. I know that is probably a BIG fashion "No-No!" Put your name, address and telephone numbers inside and outside of each price of luggage. Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity or nationality. Leave all unnecessary credit cards, your Social Security Card and any other card that will give your identity information at home.. Give a copy of your itinerary to a family member in case they need to contact you in an emergency. Make 2 photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, driver's license, the credit card AND the serial numbers of your travelers checks. Leave one with a family member or trusted friend and pack the other away from the originals. As you use your travelers checks, check that number off the list. Make sure you know the limit on the credit card that you plan to use and avoid going over that limit while traveling abroad. Americans have been arrested for innocently exceeding limit and not being able to pay for dinner. Ask your credit card company how to report a stolen credit card from the countries you will be traveling in, and keep that number with the copy of your credit card. When you leave the United States, you are subject to the laws of the country ( or countries) you are visiting. Therefore, before you leave home, learn as much as you can about he local laws and customs of the places you plan to visit. A good source is the library, your travel agent, the embassies or tourist bureaus of the countries you will visit. In addition, keep track of what is being reported in the media about recent developments in those countries. The Department of State's Country Specific Information is available for every country of the world, for some countries the Department of State issues a Travel Warning that will recommend Americas not travel to that country because of a dangerous situation there. It is a really good idea not to go to there.

Precaution to take while traveling.
WOW you finally made it to Paris, Rome or somewhere in the Good Ole USofA and, naturally you want to take in the sights. First get comfortable shoes and keep these in mind:

• Do not sight see alone at night. There is safety in numbers and, besides it is more fun to take in the sights with a friend.
• Avoid public demonstrations or other civil disturbances when overseas.
• Do not discuss travel plans or other personal information with strangers.
• Avoid scam artists who approach you and offer to be your guide or sell you something at bargain prices.
• Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will jostle you, ask your for directions or time, or try to distract you in any way.
• Even if you are lost, don't act like it. Ask directions from local police or other persons in authority.
• Learn or write down a few phrases in the local language so that you can signal you need police or medical help.
• Know where the nearest American Embassy or Consulate if.
• If confronted, don't fight back-give up your valuables.

Safety in you hotel.

• Keep your hotel room door locked at all times and your valuables in the room or hotel safe.
• Ask your concierge about local dinning or other entertainment and have them arrange transportation.
• A good concierge is your best source of information.
• Use valet parking where available. If not, make sure that your car is in a well let and secure parking lot and have you keys in your hand as your approach your vehicle.
• It is suggested that you book a room located between the second and seventh floors. The second floor is high enough to discourage a break in from outside and the seventh is low enough to allow you time to evacuate in case of a fire or other emergency (remember you are not to use the elevator in these instances and you might not want to run down 50 flights of stairs)
• Inquire when you book your hotel room how "Women Friendly" the hotel is. Of course the super chains are not a problem, but the smaller ones maybe. Do as much research on line as you can.
• If you plan to use the hotel gum or spa make sure that they have a female attendant on staff. Being alone and semi-dressed may not be good for your health.
• Have your key out when you exit the elevator.
• The "Please make up this room" sign tells everyone that you are not there. conversely, the "Do not Disturb" sign can make the room look occupied. Call housekeeping to schedule the maids so no signs are necessary..

We all know the drill at the airport, get there in plenty of time to go through the pesky security check so you are not rushed and get careless. Pack with the Federal laws that apply to air transportation and your carriers rules in mind. Ask your air line or travel agent if you are not sure.

O.K. enough of the serious stuff. Get packin and have a safe trip. Don't forget to visit Confadate when you return.

Sandy

Article by Sandy Glover a retired police
detective with over 20 years experience and now a licensed private
investigator specializing in background screening.

National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April has been designated as “National Sexual Assault Awareness Month” by the US Department of Justice (otherwise known as the FBI) to make women more aware of the growing number of crimes against women and how to avoid being a victim. At Confadate, we want you to be safe in all aspects of your life, not just your online dating experience:

First off, there are three types of crimes:

Crimes of Anger- A crime of anger can be a spontaneous crime such as road rage or when one person gets so mad at another, the end result is an act of violence. This is not to be confused with a Hate Crime, which is a crime against a member of a particular race or sexual orientation. Thought out or planned, it is always violent.

Crimes of Passion- This is when someone thinks, “If I can’t have her, no one will” and they perpetrate an act of violence against one or both parties. Again this may be a spur of the moment act of violence or well planned out.

Crime of Opportunity-This is the most common of crimes. The bad guy sees an opportunity and grabs it. The perpetrator could be a neighbor, someone you meet on a date, or a total stranger. Here is where you are the most vulnerable.

Not to over look the importance of the crimes of anger and passion, but the most common form of crime is opportunity. How do I avoid becoming a victim of a Crime of Opportunity? The answer is simple, be aware of your surroundings and be smart. Here are a few tips;

Do not establish a set schedule for your daily routine. A bugler that is worth his salt will watch a home before he breaks into it. He knows that you may leave every morning at say 8:00. Try to change your schedule a couple of mornings a week. Maybe grab a coffee before going to work or arrange that meeting later so you can leave at 9:00. Use the same tactic when coming home, Vary your schedule so no one knows when you are coming or going.

Always make it look like someone is at home. Set a radio on a timer during the day and, if you are going to be out at night, set a radio and turn a couple lamps on. (You can purchase timers that will go off at different time to really confuse the criminal.) The one room that can be used any time of day or night is the bathroom. Put a small lamp in your bathroom and put a timer on it so it’ll turn on or off while you’re away.

When you are walking to your car during the day, have your keys out and ready. Look to see who is around you. A distracted woman is an easy target. Women digging around their purses, looking for car keys is a great opportunity for a purse thief to grab it. We also recommend keeping your cell phone in your pocket if possible.

If you should become the victim of a purse thief, by all means let him have it! Your safety is much more important! Try to observe as much about him as you can. The police will want to know information about the suspect such as race, height, build, and the clothes is he/she was wearing and what direction of travel did he/she take. If you have you cell phone on you, then you can call 911 right away. Again, don’t fight the thief for the purse. It can be replaced...you can’t.

Another piece of advice: DO NOT set your purse in the child seat of the shopping cart then turn around to check out a price or examine a piece of merchandise. Talk about a crime of opportunity! By the time you turn around, the thief has your purse and is on his (or her) way out the door with everything they need...your credit cards, you ID and your car keys. Now not only can they steal you car, but they have your credit cards and know where you live. Always have your purse over your shoulder or over your arm.

If you are going out at night, always park in a lighted area. If at all possible, walk as a group when returning to your cars. Again, have your keys at the ready and observe your surroundings. We suggest getting a can of pepper spray or mace if you are out at night frequently. If you don’t have a can of pepper spray or mace, buy a plastic lemon or lime at the store and keep it handy. Lemon or lime juice in the eye can really hurt and gives you an opportunity to run away.

Getting gas? Another opportunity for someone to attack you. Don’t leave your car running. Take the keys out and lay them in the center council or door pocket. If someone wants to steal your car, he can’t find the keys and you have time to get inside and ask for help. NEVER get in the car with this person!

Now, what about your personal safety? Thousands of women meet a man online and end up meeting their Prince Charming, but sadly not all Internet relationships are wine and roses. There are sexual predators and professional criminals on the Internet waiting for an opportunity. There is no substitute for acting with caution when communicating with a stranger who wants to meet you. Remember, anyone who is able to commit identity theft can also falsify a dating profile. We suggest:

Never include your last name, email address home address phone number place of work or any other identifying information in your online dating profile.

Stop communicating with anyone who tries to pressure you for personal or financial information. That is your business and yours alone.

If you choose to meet this person, perform a background check. Select a professional background screening company, such as Confadate, to conduct the investigation. A background check reveals the public aspect of his life...things like has he ever been arrested and, if so, for what. It is not an invasion of his privacy. While a background check cannot guarantee that this guy hasn’t loose a few pounds or grown another foot since you met him online, it can tell you if he is a criminal...or worse, a sexual predator.

Even with a background check completed, arrange to meet him in a very public place. Not only for your safety, but you may need your car to get away if this person has the personality of a squid.

Be sure to tell a friend or family member who you are meeting, when and where. Ask someone to call you and check up on you an hour after you are to meet him and have a prearranged excuse to leave.....again the squid factor.

Online dating security is a matter that should concern men as well as women. While men are less likely to fall victim to an act of violence, men are much more likely be the victims of identity theft. A man should not give any personal information to a lady he has taken out, and he should immediately stop communicating with a woman who is pressuring him for personal information.

No one wants you to live in fear or be afraid every time they arrange to meet someone new or leave their home of office. Following these basic safety tips, you can drastically reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

Online Dating Safety Tips

Online dating is the best possible way to meet fantastic people who share your interests and passions. Every year, tens of thousands of people get married as a result of meeting on an online dating service. Millions of people are doing it and, in general, online dating is regarded as a safe medium for meeting potential dates.

Your online dating safety begins with educating yourself on how to improve your experience and be safe doing it. Below you will find 10 tips to being safe during your online dating experience.

Ten Essential Online Dating Safety Tips

1. Trust Your Gut Instinct
Your instinct is a powerful medium for knowing when something doesn't feel right. It is also a great way to measure when to move forward with someone and when to turn and run. As you read profiles, responses to emails, have phone conversations, and meet in person your instincts help tell you if something is "right" or if something is out of alignment. The "out of alignment" message is your cue to be careful, back off, or proceed with extreme caution. Trust your gut instinct, it's the most powerful psychological tool you have at your disposal.

2. Don't Provide Personal Information Too Soon
Your home phone number and full name provide easy ways to track who you are and where you live. Armed with just your home phone number, a person can easily gain access to your income information, home address, and even learn the value of your home. Armed with your first and last name, a person can do searches to determine quite a bit of information on you - where you work, what you do, and even what your home phone number is. So in the initial stages of communication, guard your personal information. As far as phone communication, see the next tip.

3. Use a Free Email Account
If you decide to move your communication from the anonymous email feature provided by the majority of online dating services then provide an email address that isn't your regular one. Sign up for a free Yahoo!, Hotmail, or Gmail account that you use just for online dating. Don't put your full name in the From field - only your first name or something else. This protects you from a person being able to search your normal email address to find out more information about you.

4. Use a Cell Phone or Anonymous Phone Service to Chat
When it's time to move your communication to the next level (talking on the phone), never give out your home phone number. Either provide a cell phone number, use Skype to communicate, or use an anonymous phone service. It's just an added protection barrier until you get to know the person better.

5. Beware of Married People
It's unfortunate, but a lot of married people do use online dating services. They'll even go as far as to meet people. A few years ago, MSNBC reported that a study found that up to 30% of people using online dating services are married! To help you in determining whether a person is married or not, read the Online Dating Magazine article, "Staying Clear of Married Men".

6. Look for Questionable Characteristics in Your Communication
As you chat via email and on the phone you may be able to start to pick out characteristics of the other person. Are they controlling? Do they seem to anger easily? Do they avoid some of your questions? These can be questionable characteristics that tell you it's time to move on.

7. Ask for a Recent Photo
There's nothing wrong in asking someone if their photos are recent. If they don't have a photo, request a recent one. It's important for you to get a good look at the person you may eventually meet. Plus your instincts from your communications and their photos may provide you with valuable insight into the person. Plus, if they tell you the photo is recent and you meet and see a major difference, then you'll know the person lied and can cut the date short. If a person lies about their photo or profile then that is a red flag to no longer pursue the relationship.

8. Stick With Paid Online Dating Services
Free online dating services provide a greater opportunity for potentially dangerous individuals. They don't ever have to provide a credit card or other information that identifies them. There is some truth to the saying, "you get what you pay for".

9. Don't Get a False Sense of Security
Some online dating services claim to offer "background checks" and when signing up for such a service you may find it easier to let your guard down. Don't. Laws differ from state-to-state when it comes to background checks and there are even several states where checks can't be effectively performed. Because of the inconsistency, criminals/wrong doers can and do get into services that do "background checks". Never let your guard down.

10. Meet in a Public Place for Your First Meeting
When it's time to schedule that first exciting face-to-face meeting, arrange to meet in a public place and provide your own transportation. Your initial meeting will tell you a lot about the other person, including whether or not he/she lied in their profile. Your gut instincts will kick in. Never accept an offer to be picked up at your house. Make sure that a friend knows where you are at and who you are with.

By following these tips, you'll help protect yourself from being an easy prey to someone who may have ulterior motives. With an average of 100+ marriages a day from online dating, you can see that the experience can be both safe and rewarding. Keep it safe!

Microsoft Eyeing Online Dating Marketplace

A patent filed by Microsoft shows that the company is interested in getting into the online dating service industry. The patent outlines plans for a photo-based online dating services where matches are created by looks. The way it works is that a person uploads a picture of a man or woman that he/she finds attractive. Microsoft’s system then finds matches based on facial elements from the photo. In addition, the system will allow people to view a photograph and rate various aspects of it like the persons hair, nose, mouth, and face dimensions. The ratings are then used to help identify matches based on the users look preferences.

From the patent:

“The image-based search eases the challenge of textually describing physical attributes. The search includes comparing a query image provided by the user to a plurality of stored images of faces stored in a stored image database, and determining a similarity of the query image to the plurality of stored images. One or more resultant images of faces, selected from among the stored images, are displayed to the user based on the determined similarity of the stored images to the query image. The resultant images are displayed based at least in part on one or more facial features.”

The online dating marketplace is very lucrative for the top online dating services like Match.com and eHarmony.com.

Top 10 Things Not to Say on a First Date

It's easy to be nervous on a first date. You're trying to charm and impress your date to the best of your ability because you want to make a great first impression. Yet first dates can be nerve-wracking and during this time your nervousness could cause a slip of the tongue during your conversation. If that happens, make sure these are things you do not say when having a conversation with your date...

Top 10 Things You Shouldn't Say on a First Date:

1. "I've watched this movie with my ex."

2. "My ex and I use to come here all of the time."

3. On the phone (if you are a man): "I will be home by 10 mom"

4. "Can I have a doggy bag to take with me" (when you are in a restaurant)

5. "My dad/mom wants me to be home by nine."

6. "Come and meet my parents."

7. "I have never felt better since taking Prozac."

8. "I have had 10 lovers; how many have you had?"

9. "I only split with my boyfriend/girlfriend last week."

10. "Do you mind getting the bill? I am broke" (if you are a man).