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Be Safe Online:
If you are meeting someone new in a bar or have been setup by a friend, remember that your safety and security come first. Never move faster than you are comfortable with no matter how hard the other person pushes. If they push too hard, consider moving on. There are nicer people out there.

Always Guard Your Identity:
Even in person, you shouldn't give your phone number or address out to just anyone. Online don't share your real name, personal phone numbers, place of work, home address or any other identifying information while chatting or emailing until you are comfortable with the person you are giving it to. Be careful not to divulge too much information wich could allow someone to find or stalk you. You might try to avoid topics like where you work, go to school or your favorite hangouts.
At My Instant Match you are in control. You need not give out any information about yourself until you feel safe and are ready to explore new options. Even if the other person gives you their personal information you don't have to reciprocate. Initially you may choose to keep your identity and personal information to yourself.

Always use a third-party anonymous email address:
TheGreatAmericanMatchmaker.com and MyInstantMatch.com technology uses an emailing system that conceals the true email addresses. Even so, hackers can breach nearly any online security. Just to be sure please set up a third-party email address expressly for dating purposes and forward your My Instant Match emails there instead of to your personal email box. Turn off any signatures or identifying information in your e-mail.

Consider using a P.O. Box for snail mail.

If you use a sexy name:
Remember, using sexual connotations in your email address or username could get you noticed, but it probably won't attract the type of person with whom you'd like to share a relationship.
Don't include your real name or city of residence within your email address or in your username.
Always use a current picture and be truthful in your description of yourself when you get to that step with your online date. Misleading descriptions or photos can result in angry feelings and can end a relationship before it begins. In the long run honesty is always the best dating policy.

Trust your instincts:
Immediately quit communicating and block all correspondence if you feel threatened.

Be safe in person:
Always meet in public. On first meetings always arrange to meet in a populated public place. Lunch is better than dinner for a first date because you have an excuse to go back to work if things don't work out. However, if things do work out well, dinner is only a few hours away. Never allow someone to talk you into meeting in an out of the way remote location. Never allow them to pick you up at their house or start off at their house.
Always let at least one friend or family member know who you are meeting, where you are going and when you expect to return. Let your date know your meeting is not a secret.
For safety and security carry a cell phone. Have a friend call you at a predetermined time during the date and have a predetermined safety word arranged.

Try not to drink too much:
Alcohol not only impairs your ability to make good decisions but also could keep you from making a good impression (you might think you are acting cool and collected but your date might not). If you can, meet at a place where alcohol isn't an issue.

Additional Tips:
Get yourself to the first date. Don't let your date pick you up. Having your own transportation to and from the date widens your options if you feel the need to leave.

Never leave personal belongings or drinks unattended. Don't risk having your personal information stolen and don't risk having your drink tampered with.

Don't be to tempted to take first dates home (or go to his or her home). There is plenty of time for that after you get to know each other. Most people can act for a while but their true nature will shine through after time. For your own safety get to know the person you are dating before opening up your life to them. Always stay in a public place, even if you feel pressured to do otherwise. If your date continues to make demands beyond your comfort level, end the meeting and leave at once.

If you are followed to where you parked your car, stop and hail a taxi or go into another public place to use the telephone to phone a friend. Come back later with your friend to get your car.

If you do feel comfortable, set up a second date before the end of the first date. This will alleviate that post date stress (“Did he/she like me?” and “Is he/she going to contact me again?”)

Always follow all of these tips until you feel confident with your new aquaintance. If the other person is sincerely interested in you, he or she will want you to feel safe.