Trolls feed on replies. No replies, trolls wither.

Kiss enough frogs though and eventually your prince will arrive. (Keep trying.)

[[[riverlover]]]

http://www.alternet.org/story/147585/10_of_the_con_artists'_favorite_ways_to_scam_the_elderly

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46574273/ns/business-your_retirement/t/scams-t...

Suspicious old coot that I am, I just caught one (before the con) with the help of my village people.

Identity Theft

Personal information can be stolen from all of us in a distressingly wide variety of ways: via our mailboxes, wallets, purchases, Internet activities, medical records, and trash and recycling bins. In terms of identification theft, seniors are easy prey, whether it's because they're forgetful, because they're incapacitated, because they're not Internet-savvy, because they're trusting, and/or because their belongings are often within prowling-range of employees, relatives and even strangers. To their horror and often too late, they learn that their names and Social Security Numbers have been used to start credit accounts and facilitate shopping sprees, vacations, educations and addictions. Savvy scammers "can clean out their victims' bank accounts online," Roubicek laments, "although these days the banks are becoming a little more restrictive.

The Classic Con

Meeting seniors anywhere -- at religious institutions, community centers, retirement homes, the beach or the supermarket -- old-fashioned classic con artists envision red bullseyes shimmering on the faces of their prey. "The first thing they do is become your new best friend," Kleinman says. "They ask questions to see where your Achilles heel is: Oh, you're a widow. Oh, you love your grandchildren. Oh, your relatives all live out of state. And you're so lonely that you think: Yeah, I'll talk to this person about my IRA. And I'll listen when he says he needs a loan, or when he says he's with Goldman Sachs and has a good deal for me that will help me fund my grandchildren's education and retire more comfortably. And of course he wouldn't scam me, because he's a member of my church."

Lonely hearts scammers are really good, be very careful. If you are going to meet in person, there are plenty of sites that will tell you how to do so safely. And if at any time, anyone asks you for money for any reason, it's a scam.

I am pretty much in the same boat as you. I had never considered online dating, though, as I rather like my solitary life. As you say though, a physical hug now and again would be nice.

It has crossed my mind once or twice when I have felt the need for human companionship that there are many places even in my small town to engage with other people if I should so desire. There are a senior citizen lunches served in many towns where people get together for example. Going to local political meetings would also be a good place to meet people of like mind. It is more a matter of putting yourself where actual people go (sans bars and churches). For me, I would probably hang out at the library or used book store. = )

Good luck. ((Hugs))

Hey riverlover, I found an excellent relationship online (after some awkward not quite right dates). You can winnow out the unlikely matches via email exchange (can't spell? admires George Bush? collects cigars?). Trick is to broadcast your shortcomings, cut down the responses. "I don't like dogs or baseball on TV. I tend to go to bed with a book when it gets dark. Not a party animal. Strawberries make me sneeze. I want someone around who never stopped telling the truth." Etc.
It is tiring but well worth it. Happiness is the best revenge. Don't give up.

But I do know two couples who met through a well known and reputable dating site. One couple has been married for well over ten years and the other for about three years. The first couple was younger but the second couple was not. She was in her upper fifties and he was in his sixties. What I do know is that both couples were very well matched by intellect.

I think the key here is a reputable dating site that does a significant amount of pre-screening. Anyway, I cannot personally vouch for how it happens, but I do know that it can and does work.

ever thought of volunteering for something you truly love or are interested in and in doing so you'll meet someone who also is doing something they are passionate about and then you have that thing in common...?

Just an idea. beats the hell out of bars and meat markets.