What a background check might reveal about your online date
Lifestyle
Audio By Carbonatix
3:00 PM on Tuesday, August 5
By Scott Julewitz for PeopleFinders, Stacker
What a background check might reveal about your online date
Summer flings. Rooftop drinks. Last-minute getaways. There’s something about this season that makes romance feel a little more spontaneous, and a lot more exciting. Whether you’re swiping poolside or lining up coffee dates, summer is prime season for online dating.
But while the vibes might be casual, how you handle your safety doesn’t have to be. A little curiosity can go a long way when it comes to vetting someone new. And in the era of catfishing, ghosting, and mismatched intentions, running a quick background check might be one of the smartest moves you can make before you get swept off your feet. PeopleFinders dives deeper.
Why Even Consider a Background Check?
Let’s be real: Not everyone is who they claim to be online. Maybe they’re vague about their job. Maybe their stories don’t quite add up. Or maybe you’re just getting a gut feeling that something’s off. These days, it’s less about being suspicious and more about staying empowered, especially when meeting someone new.
A study from Stanford found that around 7% of messages on dating apps were less than honest, with most deceptions aimed at making the person seem more appealing. With dating scams and fake profiles on the rise, doing a little digging isn’t overreacting—it’s a safety measure.
Think of it like checking restaurant reviews before a first date. You’re not assuming the worst; you’re just being smart about your time and who you spend it with.
What a Phone Lookup Might Actually Reveal
If you’re picturing a formal investigation, don’t worry. It’s a lot simpler (and more discreet) than that. All you need is a name, address, phone number, or email to start uncovering key details about that person you met online.
A quick check can confirm their real name, age, and residence—all things people can easily fudge on dating apps. It might also show if they’ve been married before, have criminal records, or have used aliases in the past. In some cases, it could even give you insight into past addresses or public employment records.
Only have their number? A quick reverse phone lookup can tell you who that number is really linked to. It’s a low-effort way to see if what they’ve told you lines up with the facts.
What It Won’t Tell You (And Why That’s Okay)
Of course, a background check isn’t a crystal ball. It won’t reveal emotional availability, relationship intentions, or whether you’ll actually click in person. Those things still require old-fashioned chemistry and some in-person time together.
But when it comes to ruling out major red flags or just confirming the basics, having a little extra context can give you the confidence to move forward or gracefully step back.
Discreet, Quick, and Totally Normal
Here’s the good news: Running a background check is a lot more common than you might think. With how much of our lives takes place online these days, you can look someone up in minutes, privately and without alerting them. Whether it’s your first match of the summer or someone you’ve been chatting with for weeks, it’s a simple step that keeps you in control.
Summer’s Short, But Smart Choices Last
There’s nothing wrong with falling a little fast when the nights are warm and the conversation flows. But before you invest your time and energy into someone new, make sure their story checks out.
You don’t need to give up on summer romance—far from it. You just need to go into it with open eyes and a little extra online dating savvy. A quick background check won’t ruin the magic. In fact, it might just help you feel a little more secure and open to the possibilities ahead.
After all, the best kind of summer love? The kind that’s real.
This story was produced by PeopleFinders and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
