Hi there and welcome. You have asked a question that really only has one good answer. Ask a lot of questions from the people you are interacting with. I assume you are looking for a real life relationship.

Just because someone is on a site of this type, or posting a personal does not mean you should nessaraly give them any more trust than meeting any other stranger for the first time.

I would be very wary of someone that is evasive about answers, seems to have to go abruptly during conversations or asks you a lot with not much information in return about themselves. There is no rush to get into anything and someone who is trying to push to claim you as a sub, or meet when you are not comfortable yet is someone to walk away from.

You didn't say how the contact was made from the other individuals, but I am again assuming from some form of personal ad. I suggest you might want to read this,

http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5363

and this

http://www.bdsmlibrary.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3647

Trust your instincts, trust what you know about people. People online are not any different from meeting strangers in any format. Be aware that YOU are in control of what you reveal and what you choose to accept as true. The beauty of online is that you can ignore, not answer and shut down the line of communication as soon as its out of your comfort zone.

Unfortunately due to the anonymous nature of online interactions it is easy to play around, kids claiming to be *very* experienced doms, married guys looking for a online kick, people who can not for many reasons deal with real people and live on the internet. Just trust yourself, ask all the questions you want.

If you need anything feel free to message me, and good luck!!