Have you fallen prey to this online dating scam? I hate to admit it, but I fell for it once…only once!

So, you’re on your computer, cruising around…checking out various dating sites. You pick one. There are a few people that caught your attention, so you send them a well thought out email.

Within minutes you hear the familiar or unfamiliar chime of new mail. It is from a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc., that fits your ideal mate to a "T"! They are new to your area, looking for an available person to spend time with. They think you are a dream come true!…(sigh…)

You are so excited, you can hardly stand it! Taking your time, you make sure to put your best foot forward. Your email is cute, insightful, intelligent, a little humorous…(enter)

Within seconds, you receive an email from their subscription department. They inform you, with your Free Trial membership, you can send and receive emails but cannot respond to the emails! However… for the next 20 minutes you can join for 50% off of the Silver…Gold…and Platinum membership. You would hate to let a little money stand between you and the answer to your prayers! You immediately sign up for the Silver membership. (Why get the Gold or Platinum one…you only need to reach that one special person and you think you already know who that is!

You send the perfect response. Guess what…? No reply…you try again the next day, again on the third day. On the fourth day (Too late to get your refund. This particular site has a 72 hour, no questions asked refund policy!) you discover this member…is no longer a member.

A coincidence? I doubt it. If during your free trial, you receive an email from what appears to be a dream come true? It’s usually a scam. Trust your common sense and mature judgment.