Nowadays most singletons have had a look, if not a go, at internet dating.

The idea is you register on an internet site and create a profile that would-be suitors can view. Those who like the look of you can get in contact and in the meantime, you can be trawling through the profiles in the hope of finding someone that tickles your fancy.

You chat online for a while – days, maybe weeks or months, eventually you meet up and perhaps it’s the start of something great. Simple. Or maybe not…

Having heard the experiences of a number of women who regularly use internet dating sites, it really is true there is a hotch potch of potential partners out there in cyberspace who are just not what they seem. Unsurprisingly, it is commonplace that people tell the odd white lie about their age, financial status, marital situation and vital statistics.

What might seem like a perfect ten on the site profile might actually turn out to be a disappointing four and a half.

I’ve also heard a fair number of horror stories – there was the woman whose date served up a horrific meal consisting of a nearly raw mackerel in tomato sauce and then turned out to have vampiric tendencies when it was time for dessert.

There was another unfortunate hopeful whose potential suitor answered the door in his birthday suit. Perhaps it’s true that you have to kiss a lot of frogs.

But let’s take a balanced view on all this. I do have a very happy friend who met a lovely partner through a local internet dating site in June this year. By August they were holidaying together in Ibiza and I’ve just had news of their engagement. They really do make a great couple.

So, be aware that people are not always what they seem, and there will always be chancers just waiting to take advantage of you. Always be safe and meet new friends in a public place.

I’ve heard good reports of some dating sites which are absolutely free as an added bonus. You never know, love could be round the corner!

Rhian Gibbings