Is Your Online Date Really Who They Say They Are? This Tool Can Help You Stay Safe Before Meeting Them In Person
Beware of online dating scams. Do your homework and do a background check on your online date before meeting in person. It’s quick and simple with Intelius.
Putting yourself out there can be nerve-racking, to say the least. While online dating can provide a bit of a crutch and helping hand - as opposed to meeting people in person right off the bat - it can also add in an element of uncertainty as to who the person you are talking to really is.
In fact, 46% of Americans feel that online dating is not too or not at all safe (“The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating” Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C.,2/6/20 https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/02/06/the-virtues-and-downsides-of-online-dating/ .) Being wary about someone you meet online is wise. However, you don’t necessarily need to eliminate the possibility of meeting someone through a dating site or app altogether. Plenty of users have had positive experiences and managed to find a compatible partner or, at the very least, have some fun. About 57% of online daters said they had an overall positive experience using online dating platforms.
Luckily, feeling safe and online dating isn’t mutually exclusive. With a few precautionary steps, you can feel more at ease and confident before you take a relationship with a potential partner offline. Intelius makes it quick and simple to do a background check on an online date. Get started with a search on anyone in just minutes!
Why You Should Background Check Your Online Date
Unfortunately, online dating scams are all too real and more prevalent than you may think. In 2018, the FTC reported romance scam victims lost an average of $2,600 out of over 20,000 reported cases.
For that reason, one of our top online dating tips is to ensure you look into the people you meet online. This is not to say you should assume that every person you match with has bad intentions. But, a quick online background check can help you to look out for your physical, emotional, and financial safety.
Background checks may reveal real names, potential images, social media profiles, employment information, and more details that could help uncover deception or red flags.
In the best-case scenario, a background check unveils nothing suspicious, and you can go on your date feeling confident and safe. Read on to learn how to do a background check on your online date with Intelius.
How to Do a Background A Check On Your Online Date
Getting started with an Intelius background check is simple. Just enter the first and last name of the individual you’d like to look up and their city/state if you know it. Intelius will then search for available public records to compile relevant information on your search subject into a report.
If multiple reports match the name entered, you’ll need to determine which one is the appropriate match. Things like age and location can help make this decision for you. Luckily, Intelius members have access to unlimited reports, so you can scroll through as many as needed or run as many potential dates through our search as you want. Veteran daters may know all too well that the first match isn’t always the one that lasts. Dating can take resilience and time.
What Does a Background Report Include
Background Check Reports vary depending on the name entered and the available information located in the results of a search. But, your report may include the following personal details and information about your search subject:
- Full Name
- Age and Date of Birth
- Potential Relatives
- Education and Employment History
- Contact Info such as emails and phone numbers
- Location History
- Criminal and Traffic Records
- Social Profiles
- And More!
If things like age or employment history do not match what your date has been telling you, this may be an indicator to steer clear and cut off communication.If you'd like to see a sample Intelius report, you can find one here. Read on to learn some key online dating red flags to watch out for.
Online Dating Red Flags to Watch Out For
While certain dating red flags may be intuitive, others take a more careful eye and perhaps a little research. A background check is a good place to start. Here’s what to look out for when reviewing your Intelius Background Report before a date.
Untrue Personal Details
Does their name, age, or personal image not match up? This could be a warning sign that you are being catfished. You could give them the benefit of the doubt and allow them to explain any inconsistencies before you cut off communication altogether. But, definitely proceed with caution, and don’t meet in person until you’ve gotten to the bottom of why they may have lied.
Inaccurate Location History
Do they appear to live somewhere completely different from what they told you? Perhaps a background check reveals that their primary address is in a different city or state than where their dating profile is set to. This could signal a potential online dating scam.
Criminal History
This red flag needs little explanation. If someone has a serious offense such as assault or battery in their criminal records, this will likely be a deal-breaker. While it can be a bit jarring to learn the person you were speaking with has a criminal record, it is much better to know this information before meeting them in person.
We hope you’ve found these online dating safety tips helpful. Now that you know just how simple it is to do a background check with Intelius, try it for yourself by signing up for an Intelius membership, exercise precautionary steps and practice online dating safety for all your future dating endeavors.
