Using Instant Checkmate to Vet New People in Your Life

Instant Checkmate offers public record searches to help look up online sellers and buyers, as well as dating app matches.

Instant Checkmate is a service that has carved out an interesting niche in helping to protect against these risks. It offers online background checks based on public records compiled into detailed reports. These reports can include everything from basic contact details to criminal and traffic records, helping users make more informed decisions about who they’re meeting or dealing with online.

Online Dating Safety and the E-Commerce Connection

The numbers tell us that varied demographics approach online dating quite differently. The Pew report found that women, for instance, tend to be more cautious, with 57% who have never used an online dating app expressing serious safety concerns, compared to 34% of women who have used the apps reporting concerns. Meanwhile, men under 50 report encountering suspected scammers at surprisingly high rates: 63% say they’ve run into potential scammers on dating platforms.

Dating isn’t the only arena where verification matters. The explosive growth in online shopping has created parallel safety concerns. U.S. Census data shows online sales jumped from $571.2 billion in 2019 to $815.4 billion in 2020, and Morgan Stanley projects the global e-commerce market will reach $5.4 trillion by 2026.

Scammers have found fertile ground on Facebook Marketplace®, which ranks among the world’s biggest online trading platforms. Recent data paints a concerning picture: Cybersecurity researchers at Lookout discovered that nearly two-thirds of Americans (62%) encountered scams while using Facebook, with approximately 1 in 5 users falling victim to fraudulent schemes. The scope of this problem is further illustrated by Better Business Bureau statistics, which documented more than 1,200 Facebook Marketplace-related scam reports across the U.S. and Canada during a 23-month period from early 2022 to late 2023.

The growth in online commerce has attracted both legitimate sellers and scammers. Digital Commerce 360 reports that approximately 1 in 5 consumer dollars is now spent online, making seller verification increasingly crucial. Both buyers and sellers might utilize an Instant Checkmate background check before high-value transactions or in-person meetings, using address verification and criminal and traffic report background checks to enhance their safety. 

The need for verification in online marketplaces continues to grow as the risk of fraud balloons. According to recent data, criminals are flooding the global economy with more than an estimated $1 trillion worth of dangerous, counterfeit products. Fashion and electronics categories see the highest rates of counterfeiting, though fraudsters target virtually every product category. This proliferation of fake goods, combined with varying regional laws on product sales and intensifying regulatory oversight, has made verification tools increasingly valuable for buyers and sellers.

Understanding the Limitations of Background Checks

While Instant Checkmate can provide valuable information, it’s important to recognize its boundaries. The service explicitly states that it shouldn’t be used for purposes requiring Fair Credit Reporting Act compliance, such as employment screening or tenant verification. Additionally, while the platform aggregates public records, these records may not always reflect recent changes or complete information.

Pew’s data suggests verification services will likely play an expanding role in online safety. Consider these findings: 38% of online dating users have received unwanted explicit content, 30% have experienced continued unwanted contact after expressing disinterest, and 24% have been called offensive names on dating platforms.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 60% of Americans now support requiring background checks before someone can create a dating profile. This sentiment reflects a broader trend toward prioritizing online safety and verification.

Approximately 1 in 10 partnered adults met their current significant other through a dating site or app. This figure rises to 20% among partnered adults under 30, suggesting that online platforms are becoming increasingly central to relationship formation. However, with 52% of online dating users reporting encounters with potential scammers, the role of verification in successful online dating appears more crucial than ever.

The key is using online background check tools transparently, especially in personal relationships, where being upfront about the investigation can help maintain trust and open communication.

Think of it this way: Just as you wouldn’t buy a house without an inspection or a car without checking its history, many people now view background checks as a normal part of significant online interactions with strangers. A little diligence can go a long way toward building genuine trust.The digital revolution has fundamentally changed how Americans form relationships and conduct business. According to recent Pew Research data, 30% of U.S. adults have used online dating platforms, with the numbers rising dramatically among younger generations. For those under 30, the likelihood of having tried online dating reaches 53%, while 37% of adults between 30 and 49 report using these services.

These shifts in social behavior have created new safety challenges. Nearly half of Americans consider online dating unsafe, while recent data shows that romance scams cost U.S. consumers $547 million in 2021, an 80% increase from the previous year.

The Paste editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.