Although the Internet makes it easier to make new friends, it also introduces new dangers. Online phone directories make it easy to take a person's phone number and use it to look up that person's name, address, and other personal information. And the newest online directories include cell phone numbers, not just landlines.
In response to this problem, Robert Siciliano, a well-known known safety expert, is launching an online safety campaign to encourage online daters to use a new phone service, MyPrivateLine.com, that provides a safe, private way to receive phone calls while protecting the identity of your real phone number.
MyPrivateLine.com is offering a 30-minute free trial period in support of this campaign for users who want to safely exchange information with strangers they meet online.
"I'm surprised a service as easy to use and appropriate as MyPrivateLine's didn't hit the market much sooner," said Robert Siciliano, a nationally televised and quoted authority on personal safety and privacy.
"Online daters want to feel safe," Siciliano continued. "MyPrivateLine gives the approximately 30 million people who date online the privacy they need."
MyPrivateLine gives subscribers a toll-free number that can be programmed to forward to whatever phone number the user designates. This toll-free number reveals no caller ID information and features an alert system that gives the recipient the option to accept or reject an incoming call. Users can also dispose of the number at any time should they no longer wish to deal with calls from a particular person.
"Why would anyone give their phone number to the textbook definition of a 'complete stranger'?" said Siciliano.
"To accept a date invitation from someone you've met online is to subject yourself to a true blind date," Siciliano continued. "Unlike the blind dates of the past, these are not friends of friends."
"Before meeting for that first time, an online dater has no way of knowing whether their date is 'Prince Charming' or Ted Bundy's protege," Siciliano added. "In fact, you may not find out the truth for a long time-enough time for your prospective partner to learn enough about you to cause harm."
With MyPrivateLine, you can use an anonymous toll-free number for as long as you deem necessary to assess the character of a new partner in your life. As long as you refrain from revealing your real phone number, MyPrivateLine keeps your whereabouts private. At the first sign of trouble, you can dispose of the 800 number and be rid of an annoying -- or even dangerous -- person.
For more information call: 1 (888) SICILIANO (742-4542).
Robert Siciliano, President of SafetyMinute Seminars, provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. He is available to discuss online safety and privacy for online daters. He has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show." Siciliano also leads personal safety and security seminars nationwide. Siciliano's blog on privacy, security and safety is available at http://www.idtheftsecurity
Source: SafetyMinute Seminars
CONTACT: Brent W. Skinner of STETrevisions, +1-617-875-4859,
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com; or Neil Vineberg of VINEBERG COMMUNICATIONS,
+1-631-288-6933, Neil@VinebergCommunications.com, both for SafetyMinute
Seminars
Web site: http://www.idtheftsecurity.com/
http://www.idtheftsecurity