Authenticating a prospective love interest

Current statistics suggest that potentially 1 in 5 online dating profiles are fake, and a significant portion of online interactions involve fraud. Statistics are hard to track because of underreporting for reasons that we have discussed in previous blogs.

We do know that deception in real life and online dating continues to be on the rise, despite all of the publicity and education surrounding it.

We also know that romance scams are becoming more than just financial deception-some are turning deadly.

If you don’t know what you don’t know, then knowledge is power; especially when it comes to matters of your heart, your finances and your safety.

Authentication is the process of proving or showing something to be true, genuine or valid

At ID Investigations, we believe that the only legitimate way to ensure that you have done your due diligence on someone you are getting involved with in person or online is to authenticate them with the assistance of a private investigator.  A professional investigator experienced in research and verification has tools and a skill set that the average person does not have access to.   You may think that doing a simple internet search on someone or paying for an online instant background check is sufficient.  Keep in mind that these paid online search companies only retrieve readily available public information from sources like:

• Directory Assistance (411.com or whitepages.com)

• Social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook

• Other online databases that simply compile public records that anyone can access 

  
  

The reason they can provide a background search at such a bargain price is because it is basic information.  They do not provide all of the answers you need to be informed and make an educated decision when it comes to your heart, finances and safety.  Also keep in mind that social media profiles are made by individual themselves, so just because it looks OK, doesn’t mean it’s real.

Even with the proliferation of tragic stories we hear about almost daily involving romance scams and dating deception, there still seems to be some disconnect when it comes to taking the necessary step of verifying and authenticating the other person in a valid way using a private investigator.

Normalizing authentication with the assistance of a private investigator in a prospective new romantic relationship starts with making it a common, accepted step for building trust on both sides.

Here’s how we can all make it feel more natural and normal:

• Think of it as a healthy boundary: Frame authentication as a self-care practice, like setting healthy boundaries. When it’s seen as an act of self-respect, we will be more likely to embrace it without stigma.

• Normalize as a Socially Responsible Act: Much like it’s now normal to take precautions online or in financial transactions, verification in dating should be seen as a responsible, healthy and proactive step everyone should take in new connections.

• Share Success Stories: Real-life stories about people who verified and found true, trustworthy connections can help make authentication feel more relatable and achievable.  On the flip side, verifying someone early on and learning that they are not who they say they are can also be a success story of how you dodged that bullet!

• Encourage Open Conversations: Starting honest conversations about safety in dating among friends and family makes authentication feel like a practical step we all respect and encourage. Loved ones play a huge role in helping people identify and avoid scams or worse outcomes. By talking openly about verification and sharing cautionary tales, friends and family can reinforce the habit in their networks.

When it’s presented as a healthy, routine step for all dating relationships, using a private investigators for authentication becomes less about stigma and suspicion and more about fostering genuine, safe connections.

Normalization happens when a behavior is widely recognized, openly discussed, and incorporated into everyday practice. By making verification with the assistance of a private investigator part of standard online dating culture, we can help people protect themselves while building trust safely.

If you are still unsure if authenticating someone you are interested in is right for you, consider that most of us do intense research on major purchases we are about to make (houses, cars, appliances), so why would we not do the same on a potential intimate partner?

ID Investigation is a licensed, professional private investigative team that provides confidential, discreet and ethical services.

• We will verify that the person you are communicating with online or dating in person is who they say they are.

• We will deliver more comprehensive information to you than any on-line search.

• We will give you the facts you need to make wise decisions regarding the person of interest.

• We will help to ensure your safety and well-being in a live dating situation or online.

• We will provide you with peace of mind and the answers you need.

• We are committed to the education and protection of our clients.

  
  

ID Investigations is always here to help you find the answers. Contact us at 833-462-4243 or request a FREE confidential consultation at the bottom of our home page.