Dear Abby: Guy I met on a dating site is raising lots of red flags

DEAR ABBY: When I came out of my introvert shell, I began trying to find a relationship. I went on a few dating websites and met some great guys and some not-so-great guys. One of the latter had been giving me red flags since our first date. We clicked at first and shared many of the same interests and hobbies, but he wanted to move WAY too fast.

While our dates had always been in public places, he constantly wanted to get me alone, either at my house or his. He seemed put off when I asked if another friend could come. Then there came a time when my health was faltering, and our infrequent meetings became less important to me. I told him I was having health problems, but the next day he invited me out for another date like I hadn't just told him.

He either began to ignore what I was saying, or I was noticing it more frequently. Because of this and other things, I quit responding to him. This has now spiraled out of control. He has contacted me on every social media app, on my phone and by email. I am upset for a number of reasons, but I feel guilty ignoring him.

My family and friends say I am doing the right thing - that responding to any of his communication will give him the idea that I'm open to communicating again. I do not want to start talking to him again, but I still feel awful about ignoring him completely. What should I do? - WONDERING WALLFLOWER

DEAR WONDERING: You may be feeling guilty because you are ghosting him, which I believe is bad form. Send him a text or an email telling him you haven't responded to his attempts to communicate because you are not interested in a relationship, and he must stop trying to contact you. Period. If he persists after that, you may have picked up a stalker, and you should file a police report.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.