Remarkably, I don't get bothered as much as people I know. My thought is you are talking about hooking up with people you really don't know in remote areas, and that requires caution. I have had unpleasant experiences, but nothing really bad. I'll point out Gary Michael Hilton (google him) targeted hikers and in the past year was convicted of a crime he committed not too far from where I occasionally hike.

I've also had some very positive experiences. See my Christmas hiking miracle in the off topic section. I've met some great people, seen some great things.

By way of analogy, I'm not afraid to cross the street, but I still look both ways.