With us to talk about the Manti Te'o internet hoax story was online dating expert Julie Spira. Our legal analyst Robin Sax also joined in the discussion.
The Manti Te'o Story – Can It Happen To You?
With all the buzz and commotion surrounding the Manti Te'o story of falling in love with a woman online who never existed, it makes us pause and ask ourselves, "Can this happen to me?"
On Good Day LA, I shared my story with Steve Edwards and Robin Sax on how easy it is to fall in love from behind your computer screen or mobile phone. The need to love and be loved is so strong, that often our romantic fantasies take over where our logic should reign.
Finding love online has never been easier and the digital playground is enormous. As an online dating expert and one who creates profiles for singles on the dating scene, I see more success stories every day. One out of six relationships are formed with people who have joined online dating sites. This doesn't take into equation those who connect on Facebook chat or Twitter to start their digital courtship.
Before you start changing your status on Facebook to "In a Relationship" with only a thumbnail photo of your suitor, do a little homework. Here are ten simple ways to check out your online date.
Check his or her "About" page on Facebook to see their relationship status.
Find out if you have any friends in common on Facebook or Linkedin and ask for a recommendation.
Scroll through their photos to see if it appears they have a significant other.
Do a Google search for their name and see what pops up.
Do a reverse image photo search. This can be done with sites such as TinEye.com or uploading a photo into Google's search bar.
Type in the person's email address and phone number in a Google search.
Conduct a background search though a site such as Intelius.
Trust your intuition and let your friends know who you're chatting with online.
Set up a Skype or video date with your online crush to see what they look like in real-time.
After a few emails and phone calls, meet in person. If they repeatedly cancel your daters, something is wrong.
At the end of the digital day, trust your intuition. If you feel suspicious about the authenticity of someone you're communicating with online, don't be embarrassed about it. Find out the truth and move on.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:35 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:35:29 GMT
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] If you're the working late, busy schedule type that finds it hard to whip up a healthy meal without a lot of time, Curtis Stone has a new cookbook cure.
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] If you're the working late, busy schedule type that finds it hard to whip up a healthy meal without a lot of time, Curtis Stone has a new cookbook cure.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:04 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:04:22 GMT
Monday night Chuck Leavell was on stage performing in one of the world's most legendary bands. Tuesday morning he was on set with Steve and Maria. Chuck plays keyboards for The Rolling Stones.
Monday night Chuck Leavell was on stage performing in one of the world's most legendary bands. Tuesday morning he was on set with Steve and Maria. Chuck plays keyboards for The Rolling Stones and performed at Staples Center for the band's "50 and Counting" tour.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:35 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:35:21 GMT
Tika Sumpter is well known to Daytime TV fans for her role as Layla Williamson on "One Life To Live." She co-starred with Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston on the big screen in "Sparkle."
Tika Sumpter is well known to Daytime TV fans for her role as Layla Williamson on "One Life To Live." She co-starred with Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston on the big screen in "Sparkle."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:08:02 GMT
Two years ago on the debut season of MTV's "Awkward," life as a high-school freshman was pretty rough for Ashley Rickards' character Jenna. Sophomore year wasn't any easier.
Two years ago on the debut season of MTV's "Awkward," life as a high-school freshman was pretty rough for Ashley Rickards' character Jenna. Sophomore year wasn't any easier.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:07 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:07:38 GMT
If you have any doubts that "The Unit" and "Felicity" star can't pull off comedy, Scott Foley's interview on Good Day LA will prove how wrong you are!
Scott Foley stars in the new FOX comedy "The Goodwin Games", which premieres Monday night. If you have any doubts that "The Unit" and "Felicity" star can't pull off comedy, his interview on Good Day LA will prove how wrong you are!
Experts and Other GuestsExperts and Other GuestsMore>>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:53 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:53:23 GMT
President Obama is still popular despite brewing controversies. The alleged cover up into what happened in Benghazi last year and the specific targeting of conservative groups by the IRS.
President Obama is still popular despite brewing controversies. The alleged cover up into what happened in Benghazi last year and the specific targeting of conservative groups by the IRS.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:45 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:45:51 GMT
The Israeli military is confirming this morning that it had fired shots at a target across the Syrian frontier today. All of this is in response to gunfire that hit forces in the Golan Heights.
The Israeli military is confirming this morning that it had fired shots at a target across the Syrian frontier today. All of this is in response to gunfire that hit forces in the Golan Heights.
They were the winners of the "Sing Off" season three and their YouTube channel has more than 86 million hits. The group sang "Don't Worry Child" by Swedish House Mafia.
They were the winners of the "Sing Off" season three and their YouTube channel has more than 86 million hits. The group sang "Don't Worry Child" by Swedish House Mafia.
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-16 15:50:50 GMT
The Los Angeles Kings play game two against the San Jose Sharks tonight. Jim Fox is the LA Kings hockey analyst on FOX Sports West and one of the great LA Kings players of all time.
The Los Angeles Kings play game two against the San Jose Sharks tonight. Jim Fox is the LA Kings hockey analyst on FOX Sports West and one of the great LA Kings players of all time.
Thursday, May 16 2013 10:54 AM EDT2013-05-16 14:54:17 GMT
This week the Los Angeles Unified School Board voted to ban suspensions for "willful defiance". Willful defiance has been criticized as a vague term that could punish kids for behavior.
This week the Los Angeles Unified School Board voted to ban suspensions for "willful defiance". Willful defiance has been criticized as a vague term that could punish kids for behavior.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:51 AM EDT2013-05-15 15:51:54 GMT
It's been 25 years since the Dodgers last won the World Series. Josh Suchon is author of the new book "Miracle Men" Hershiser, Gibson, and the improbable 1988 Dodgers.
It's been 25 years since the Dodgers last won the World Series. Josh Suchon is author of the new book "Miracle Men" Hershiser, Gibson, and the improbable 1988 Dodgers.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:54 AM EDT2013-05-15 14:54:24 GMT
O.J. Simpson will be back in a Las Vegas courtroom today. Simpson didn't testify when he was convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping and other charges in 2008. Today he'll tell a judge his side.
O.J. Simpson will be back in a Las Vegas courtroom today. Simpson didn't testify when he was convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping and other charges in 2008. Today he'll tell a judge his side.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 1:55 PM EDT2013-05-14 17:55:13 GMT
Helen Moon is a nanny who works for Elton John and David Furnish, taking care of their two children. Such a high-profile job means lots of people asking her questions, such as "How do I get my baby to sleep?"
Helen Moon is a nanny who works for Elton John and David Furnish, taking care of their two children. Such a high-profile job means lots of people asking her questions, such as "How do I get my baby to sleep?" and "Is my baby developing normally."
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