CLEVELAND -- Looking for love is never easy, but the World Wide Web has become another tool for those in search of a mate.

Online dater Makenna Folkert said, "It's kind of like a new way to date and people can get to know each other pretty well."

Folkert said she believed that what you read on someone's profile may be true.

"I think a lot of the Web sites take pretty good care finding out everyone's information (and) do background checks, I would think," Folkert explained.

Shelby Guevera was much more cautious.

"I think it's okay but you know like the safety issue, sometimes it's not safe," Guevera said.

Lea Haben is a relationship coach who also teaches classes on how to you can stay safe on dating Web sites.

Haben said, "I've had clients that experienced full-on date rape and I've had clients that have come very, very close to date rape."

Haben explained that more people than ever are looking for love online.

"Well it's up about anywhere from 20 to 30 percent right now because of the economy. People don't have the extra money to go to happy hours to spend the money on dining," Haben said.

Haben said look closely and you'll find warning signs right there on a person's profile page.

"He's not even wearing a shirt. His interests are snuggling, his favorite thing is skin to skin contact. Notice the profile if it's very vague or you don't get a good sense, ask for more information."

Ask for a last name and a phone number. If the person doesn't give it up, Haben said, "Don't go out with him."

Up next, investigate the person. Check court records, online sex offender registries -- Family Watchdog, eSorn -- and Google them.

"You could check out if they have a criminal record," Haben said. "(And) instant message a little bit. Do a couple of phone conversations before you meet somebody and make sure that when you meet them meet at a public place."

Preferably, meet during the day for the first date, like a coffee shop.

And then tell three friends where you are and who your with.

Because as Guevera said, "You have to be careful who's out there. There are crazy people out there."

And on a financial note, a lot of those online Web sites automatically renew, so watch your credit card statements.