Chat: Slow Dancing With Strangers

A friendly reminder from your friends at Gamesville…

Chat in games is a wonderful thing–a way to connect with others, share stories, have fun, and make new friends.

But you need to remember to use caution because chat is, essentially, slow dancing with strangers–some of whom you can probably trust, some of whom you probably can't.

As I've said before, imagine this scenario: If someone spent a week in a chat room and copied down everything you said in chat, how much would they know about you? Would they know…

• Your telephone number?
• Your email address?
• Your street address?

The fact is, anything you type in a chat room can be seen (and shared) by whoever is in that chat room with you–so you must pay careful attention to what you type and never give out vital personal information.

If you feel that your real-life identity has been compromised and that someone is using your personal information illegally, please consult the FTC's ID Theft: Facts for Consumers or contact your local police department for more information.

Remember: It is absolutely essential that everyone use good judgment in chat–in any chat room, on any website. Have fun and socialize, but always err on the side of caution and common sense.

Sincerely,
Chris Cummings
Manager, Gamesville.com