Come and get me!

Freecycling started a few years ago in the US and is best described as a form of Internet classifieds, specific to a community, where people can advertise their old stuff. The good part is that they give these old bits and bobs away free. The catch: you have to fetch it from its current home.

Sounds simple enough and who would suspect that a kind Samaritan giving away free sofas could pose any danger. It occurs to me however, that the world we live in is an interesting meld of good Samaritans and vicious, obnoxious opportunists who might use such a service to lure the unsuspecting to their lairs - or get into their homes.

Imagine the scene: You log on to your local Freecycling community, place an ad for your free standing monstrosity (said sofa). Within minutes you`ve grabbed the attention of a willing taker and you can hardly believe your luck. A few e-mails and friendly banter later, the stranger arranges to meet you, bakkie in tow, to fetch his new seat.

The e-mail personality seems kind enough and you willingly divulge your home address. By the time he figures out your directions, it`s dark and Jo`burg winter is creeping in so you don`t hesitate to offer up a cup of steaming coffee when he arrives. Question is, does he ever leave? And are you left as you were?

Feecycling advocates say that if you are apprehensive, meet in a public place, like a mall, although sofa gymnastics in the car park sounds tricky.

E-mail isn`t the most reliable source of getting much needed background info on your love interest.

Bhavna Singh, journalist, ITWeb

On the same side of the coin is the question of dating websites. Popular sites often showing a friendly face in a box professing their interest in finding someone to share themselves with. Hmm... a personal no-no, because desperation is one thing, but public advertising of singledom is something else.

With the simplicity of the Internet, what you see might not be what you get and e-mail isn`t the most reliable source of getting much needed background info on your love interest. Think back to a few weeks ago when a good 20 paedophiles were caught for duping young girls in chat rooms.

As easy as it is to find what or who you want over the World Wide Web, it is as easy for the creepy scum to find you. This is not meant to be a shock tactic or, by any means, a reflection of my sinister side. But it`s a seed planted in your mind that will remind you to be aware that for every kind soul, there is someone out there lacking one.