With advent of digital technology, online matrimonial platforms have emerged as a popular way of finding a suitable match. Matrimonial websites provide a convenient and user-friendly interface for youth and parents to search, interact and choose a suitable partner. However, unreliable websites may lead to fraud.
Before contacing on a matrimonial website, check authenticity of the user. Talk to your friends and family to know about reliable users. If possible, try to talk to people who might have used it before. The site must be a secure website.
Create new e-mail id for registering on matrimonial websites. Preferably, use e-mail as a source of communication and do not share your personal data namely, photo, phone number, house address, etc. outside of this matrimonial website.
Conduct an end-to-end background check of the person. Try to contact workplace, family, friends, relatives, neighbours or associates of a prospective match to know more about him/ her.
Share information about the prospective match with your family. Your family should be aware of the information shared, if any, by you with the prospective match found on matrimonial website.
Always choose to meet the prospective match in a public place as you don’t know what kind of person he or she might be. Also, keep your family and friends informed about the meeting.
While interacting with anybody through matrimonial website, ask relevant questions to know the person better and detect any inconsistencies on his/ her part.
While chatting on matrimonial website, avoid talking to a person, if he/ she pressurizes you to reveal your personal information. Always refrain from sharing your personal information such as numbers, email ID, address, etc. until you are completely sure and have done a thorough background check.
Do not share your sensitive personal pictures while chatting with anybody you have met through matrimonial website. These pictures can be used by the potential fraudster to blackmail you and defraud. These images may be leaked on internet as well.
Do not transfer funds or offer financial help to the prospective match. The moment someone asks you for money citing some reason or the other, you should become cautious and avoid any further communication with him/her without background checks.
Always be careful while dealing with ‘NRI’ profiles on matrimonial websites. Commit to marriage only after face-to-face meetings, especially the prospective match’s parents/ relatives and validating any documents related to their address and employment abroad.
