Background checks from Instant Checkmate may help make more informed dating decisions in the digital age.
Dating sure has changed since the dawn of the digital era. Instead of happy hour hookups or blind date setups from well-meaning coworkers, today we swipe right to meet Mr. or Ms. Right. Still feeling apprehensive? Clicking with a potential partner in real life may be less stressful if you click with Instant Checkmate first. With more thanhalf of singles under 50now using dating apps, considering a glance at Instant Checkmate has never been more relevant. Recent data on Instant Checkmate’s LinkedIn highlights why the desire to do a deep dive on a potential date has become increasingly common. According to a July 2024 Statista survey, a notable portion of online daters admit to misrepresenting themselves:
— 21% weren't truthful about their age.
— 14% provided incorrect information about their income.
— 14% misrepresented their hobbies and interests.
— 12% weren't honest about their height.
Though these percentages represent a minority of dating app users, they point to broader questions about authenticity in online relationships. With approximately 30% of U.S. adults reporting they've used dating platforms, according to Pew Research, millions of people potentially encounter some form of misrepresentation.
Beyond innocent exaggerations, some online dating deceptions carry serious financial and emotional consequences. Romance scams have increased dramatically in recent years, with federal data showing estimated losses of $1.14 billion in 2023 — nearly double the $547 million reported in 2021, which itself represented an 80% increase from the previous year.
The median individual loss from these deceptions reaches approximately $2,000, demonstrating how sophisticated scammers have become at building false trust. As security expert Tracy Kitten from Javelin Strategy & Research noted in a CNBC interview, "Romance scams tend to be some of the more insidious because they prey on emotions."
Even after a date goes well, Instant Checkmate shared in a LinkedIn post, “It’s still prudent to maintain some privacy boundaries until you've had several meetings and feel confident about who they are. Continue meeting in public places for the first few dates, and trust your instincts if anything feels off.” In early March 2025, Senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act. The bipartisan legislation would require dating apps and social media companies to remove or flag scammers from their platforms. The bill would also mandate that these companies issue notifications to users who interact with fraudulent accounts.
The legislation, which recently passed out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on a bipartisan basis, aims to extend existing physical-world protections against schemes in the virtual space. The bill was inspired by victims of romance swindles like Beth Hyland, who lost $26,000 to a huckster she met on a dating app. Background checking services like Instant Checkmate have emerged as tools for cautious daters who wish to investigate basic information before meeting in person. By aggregating publicly available records, these services can help users research essential facts about potential dates.
A typical Instant Checkmate report might include:
— Contact information and previous addresses.
— Criminal and traffic records.
— Social media profiles that might not have been disclosed.
— Professional background information.
— Property ownership records.
This information may allow users to determine whether basic details like age, location history, and marital status align with what they've been told. Think of it as corroborating the fundamentals before investing further time in a potential relationship.
When reviewing a background report, focus on essential information rather than investigating every detail. Check whether their age matches what they've told you, confirm they're living where they claim, and note any significant inconsistencies in their history.
It's important to approach findings with perspective. Minor criminal and traffic violations or an undisclosed address change may not warrant serious concern. However, major discrepancies about age, or location could indicate intentional dishonesty about fundamental facts.
Different users may prioritize different aspects of background reports. Some might home in on a match's location and identity, while others might pay closer attention to professional history or property records.
It’s also important to understand that the service cannot be used for employment or credit screening, tenant background checks, or other purposes requiring Fair Credit Reporting Act compliance.
Background checks work best when used alongside traditional dating safety measures. Experts recommend sharing your plans with friends, keeping personal details private until trust develops naturally, considering video chatting before meeting face-to-face, and trusting your instincts if something feels concerning.
These tools aren't meant to foster paranoia but to create enough safety to let genuine connections flourish. The strongest relationships begin with honesty, and checking whether or not a potential beau is being truthful helps ensure you're investing time in someone authentic.
Consider giving yourself the peace of mind that comes with informed decision-making. While background checks can't guarantee a perfect date, they can help identify potential issues before they become problems, allowing you to focus on building meaningful connections in today's digital dating environment.