Background Check for Online Dating: A Key to Safe Connections

Online dating offers a plethora of opportunities to meet all sorts of new people (perhaps even too many) yet it also brings certain risks—risks that may be more insidious or unexpected beyond the usual safety concerns of traditional (old school?) dating.

Before you let things go too far (including WAY before meeting someone in person), it is essential to truly know the person you are communicating with—a background check for online dating can help ensure your safety and peace of mind.

Why Bother with a Background Check?

A background check for online dating is a reasonable and valid approach to confirming the authenticity of the individual you are forming a connection with, be it romantic, friendly, or something in between. 

Safety First

Online dating exposes individuals to those with potentially untoward intentions. Nobody wants to think the worst of the person they’re getting to know, but unfortunately, risks may exist. A background check for online dating is a safeguard against threats like scammers, predators, or individuals with criminal backgrounds that might be cause for concern.

Identity Confirmation

Establishing that someone is being truthful about their identity is crucial for building trust. A background check can validate basic information, including their real name, age, employment, and even their address.

Catching Catfish

Related to confirming their identity, checking for catfishing takes the background check one step further. Especially in light of how easy it is to steal someone’s photos and craft a fictional online persona, a background check for online dating can help prevent an individual from falling victim to deception by anyone posing as someone they are not.

A DIY Background Check for Online Dating

Just Google Them

• Start where you’d search for anything these days. Enter the person’s name into a search browser. You might uncover business or social media profiles, news articles, or other publicly-available records that could provide valuable insights.
• Google Image Search can also verify the authenticity of profile pics and make sure they’re not stolen from someone else. 

Social Media Profiles

• Explore any of their public accounts on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram. Look at the type of information they share as well as the content itself. Are there photos of them with unmentioned children or significant others? 
• Make sure that their stories, photos, and social connections align consistently with what they have shared with you.

Perform a Criminal Background Check

• This might sound extreme so consider this option carefully. These services can provide you with additional details about anything concerning like potential crimes and sexual offences.

Once you’ve performed a background check for online dating and assuaged any potential concerns, you’ll likely find that you have more confidence to navigate the stresses of the dating scene. Knowing exactly whom you’re messaging will help you to make informed choices about pursuing the relationship and know that you’re less at risk from potential harms. Ideally, your due diligence will ultimately help establish trust knowing that your connection can be built on truth and transparency in who each of you are.