Protect Your Online Reputation and Your Heart in the World of Modern Dating with 123people

Have you ever wondered who that person on the other side of a restaurant table really is? Thanks to modern technology you can actually check that. You might not find out whether he or she has commitment issues, but you can verify whether he is married or was arrested for drug possession or fraud in the past. The experts of the leading people search engine 123people (www.123people.com), show how to use Internet resources to protect ourselves and at the same time manage online reputation to the benefit of our love life.

Protect Yourself in the Modern World of Dating (Photo: Business Wire)

“It's maybe not the most romantic beginning of a relationship, but when we first meet somebody and we have no friends in common, we might want to check this person's background”, advises Alexandra Senoner, Head of Corporate Communications for 123people. “Today we can do that with just one click, using people search engines, where on one page we receive a complete set of information on someone.” Thanks to services like 123people, we can easily track somebody's criminal record or marital status along with information on where he or she studied or what they do or did for living.

There is nothing wrong with prevention

These days the world of dating is as competitive as the job market – finding a partner is difficult and people try to sell themselves in the best possible way, quite often hiding important details. These details can turn out to be hurtful or disappointing, if we find out that someone is married, has kids they didn't mention or lives in another city. What is much worse is meeting a person who might be dangerous. That is why before deciding on going out with someone for the first time, regardless if we met him or her online or in the line at a Starbucks, we should carefully check their digital footprint.

4 steps to manage your own online reputation and find “The One”

Your digital footprint is your global profile in the online world. Negative or embarrassing posts, comments or photos can affect not only online dating, but also your personal life including your job, family and friends. Control and manage a digital footprint works both ways, you can check someone else's online profile, and also see what information is said or publically available on the Internet about yourself. In the modern dating world it is hard enough to find that special someone, and with the added issues and threats to not only hurt feelings, but your health, safety and even financial well-being, the best defense against these threats include:

• Check your own digital footprint, using people search engines such as 123people. They help you to identify the original source. If you want to change or delete the displayed information, contact the administrator of the website. If you want to delete the information just from 123people, use the new 123people Manager or contact 123people Customer Support at searchsupport@123people.com.
• Use a people search engine like 123people or/and universal search engines, such as Google or Yahoo. See if this person is present online and gives you real and accurate information about him or herself. Check the public record of a person (for example if he or she was arrested) as well as their marital status.
• Check the person's profiles on social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – you will be able to see his or her network as well as making sure you know what they look like if you are about to meet them for the first time.
• See if the information you find online match the information you get from the person – if someone is lying it means he or she usually has a reason.

“Meeting people using dating sites and social networks is supposed to be fun and maybe the chance to find that special someone or your soul mate. Don't forget to enjoy yourself and have fun talking with people and meeting new people and maybe your match, but always remember to be careful, use common sense and protect yourself when using the interactive world of today”, summarizes Senoner.

About 123people

123people (www.123people.com) is a vertical search engine dedicated to people search. 123people empowers anyone to find information about themselves and others – free and fast. With more than 50 Million Unique Clients every month, 123people is one of the largest people search engines in the world. 123people is currently available in 12 countries, ten languages as well as app for iPhones and Android smartphones.

More on data privacy and how to manage your digital footprint at www.123people.com/page/reputation

Further information and pictures at www.123people.com/blog/press

Twitter: www.twitter.com/123people

About yelster digital

The yelster digital gmbh, formerly 123people Internetservices GmbH, is an Austrian company and was founded in 2007. The online directory 123pages (www.123pages.fr) and the leading people search engine 123people (www.123people.com) are services of the yelster digital gmbh. Since March 2010 the company is part of the French PagesJaunes Group.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50166331&lang=en