Google

Google, Google, Google.

I always try and investigate before I really begin to date someone. Really find out if they are who they say they are. You want to have a level of trust, however you have to protect yourself.

Did you know that most court cases are public record including divorce and child custody cases? You can go to the county website and look up criminal cases, family court cases and many more. This will give you enough information about anyone and whether or not you should be dating them.

They own a house - or claim to? They have a foreclosure perhaps or not? Look up the county records on the house, see what's really happening.

Google their name, why not? You can even find driving records with infractions. These are the important things to know. Go to white pages and see what address's they have even lived at - there might be some random apartment they have that you never knew about.

How do I know all of this? I made the mistake of not Googling someone I dated until after the relationship ended badly. Once I researched I learned about the "real" terms of the divorce, the "real" terms of the custody battle, the "real" story with the repossessed car, the "real" story with the foreclosed house, the "real" story about everything. It wasn't the ex-wife's fault as what was claimed, it wasn't the ex-wife's fault that all of this was even going on.

I was naive to even get involved with someone that had their life in such turmoil - I was lied to in the beginning, I was told that there was no drama and everything was already handled. Which it wasn't. I should have been more careful, I should have done my homework and really taken the time to see if this person was who they said they were.

Whether it's online dating or meeting someone at a bar. Do you homework and protect yourself. There are many wonderful people out there but there are also very deceptive people as well. Know yourself and trust your instincts.

Much Love and Happiness,
The L Grl