How well do you know the stranger you’ve just invited into your home? How much can you trust the persona behind the screen? Across Canada, and particularly in major cities like Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa, Covid-19 has posed a dilemma for those trying to meet their special someone in the online dating world.
Online Dating in 2021
We’ve heard stories first-hand of young women inviting strangers they have never met before into their homes for a first date. Pre pandemic, you could expect to meet a date for the first time in a public place, like a coffee shop or restaurant, for instance. Given global lockdown measures, this has been near impossible, and many are turning to risky alternatives like first-dates in their own homes. With increased restrictions, a lot of people don’t feel they have another option, as the alternative seems to be lengthy online dating relationships, and going weeks without ever meeting face-to-face.
When it comes to dating during the pandemic, the risks are endless. Inviting a stranger into your home could result in theft or something much worse like violence or rape. Add alcohol or illegal substances to the mix, and the dangers only increase. Online dating has always posed a concern for fraud as well. How do you know the person you’ve met online is being honest with you? It is easy to lie to a stranger about your age, your job and what you make, the house or car you own; or whether you are married or have children from a previous marriage. If you uncover a lie or something that just doesn’t add up with your new date, you don’t know them well enough to predict how they may behave as a result. And you really want to avoid the date taking a turn for the worse in your own home.
Dating During COVID: Can Hiring a Private Investigator Help?
Yes, you need to do your due diligence to protect yourself. Get to know the individual and gather as much information about them as you can before inviting them over. It would also be a good idea to share this information with close family or friends so they know who you are meeting. This information could include the person’s name, place of work, where they live or the vehicle they drive, and any other information you may have. If you don’t already have security cameras at your home, it could be a good idea to install them and to share access to them with trusted family and friends. In this day and age, you can never be too sure when it comes to online dating, and it is never a good idea to meet a stranger in a private setting without ensuring your safety.
Before You Get Serious
Perhaps you and your date are getting more serious, but some things still aren’t adding up. Before you fully invest, get the facts on who your partner really is. Background checks reveal important information about a person’s education, marriage status, financial status and vehicle records. Of course, our private investigators will also uncover any criminal records to help you avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Our research investigators can help with asset searches to verify what vehicles or other property your partner owns. Don’t ignore red flags. Hiring a private investigator will give you peace of mind before you get serious with your partner.
How a Background Check Can Help
If you’re not sure whether the person you’ve just started dating online is being honest with you about their identity, a background check can help to provide reassurance. We use the most advanced tools and resources to provide detailed information that goes far beyond what the standard background check will uncover. Our comprehensive background checks can tell you if the person has a criminal history, their marital status, or if they really are who they say they are.
We can also perform credit and professional background checks and find information on their employment history, bankruptcy status, legal and litigation status, and more.
Other Techniques We Use
The Smith Investigation Agency is an award-winning investigation agency that specializes in surveillance and research-based techniques to observe individuals and collect the evidence that our clients need to feel at ease. We use advanced tactics such as databank searches, personal observation, audio and photography, video surveillance, and social media monitoring to find all the information you need on a particular person.
Our professional investigators are also experts at locating a person’s exact whereabouts through skip tracing techniques and locate services. When you need reassurances, our team can uncover what is really going behind the screen.
Are You Being Harassed by Someone You Met Online?
While many go online on dating apps hoping to find love and that special someone, unfortunately, it is all too common to have a bad experience. We get contacted by people who met someone online and things fell through, but the person continues to harass them, or even stalk them. If the first date took place in the home, now the stalker knows exactly where you live. If you’ve already invited someone into your life and feel they may now be stalking or harassing you, our private investigators in Ontario and throughout Canada can help. Counter-surveillance investigators can follow you with your knowledge to ensure no one else is on your tail. They can even watch your home for you, for increased safety measures. Should a dangerous situation occur, the investigator can quickly call the police and first-responders to your aid.
How to Hire an Investigator?
If you read this and realize you need to hire an investigations company, we can help. We offer free consultations and can assist in your investigative needs. When you need to hire a PI simply search for a private investigator near me. Our team can assist in your background check, surveillance, skip trace, or asset search. Don’t find yourself left in the dark or placed in danger. Know the facts.
If you are participating in dating during covid and wish to engage in PI services you can complete an inquiry form and our team will reach out with the best plan of action for your situation.
About the Author
Whitney Joy Smith
Founder of The Smith Investigation Agency in 2014, Whitney Joy Smith’s extensive background as a private investigator is matched only by her passion for the role. A graduate of several respected institutions, including Northwest Florida State College and George Brown College, her early years in life were spent between Canada and the United States. This education, along with her formative years as a private investigator in various agencies, informed much of her knowledge of private investigative laws, regulations, and operating standards in both countries.
The recipient of numerous industry awards and accolades, including the Consumers Choice Award, Best in Ottawa, and many others, Whitney takes pride in working closely with her ever-growing agency to raise the bar, maintain compliance, and meet the investigative needs of clients. Whitney is active in various membership and supporting roles, including the CPIRC, CBN, CAPI, Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and many others. Her experience-driven, thought-provoking articles have been featured in everything from Readers Digest to Business News Daily, and she strives to continually redefine standards for those in the private investigative and security fields. Learn more about Whitney and the team at The Smith Investigation Agency today.
