Meeting people online has become the norm—whether you’re dating, hiring, looking for roommates, or doing business. But not everyone online is who they claim to be. As licensed private investigators in Colorado, we’ve seen countless cases of identity fraud, catfishing, romance scams, and worse.
The good news? You can verify someone’s identity using professional investigative techniques—many of which are completely free. This guide shows you exactly how.
Why Identity Verification Matters
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s understand the stakes:
- Romance scams: Americans lost $547 million to romance scams in 2023 alone
- Catfishing: 53% of people admit to lying on their online dating profiles
- Identity theft: Sharing personal info with the wrong person can lead to fraud
- Physical safety: Meeting someone dangerous in person puts you at risk
- Financial fraud: Fake business partners and investment scammers target victims online
Taking 15-20 minutes to verify someone’s identity can save you from financial loss, emotional trauma, or worse.
Step 1: Reverse Image Search Their Photos
This is the fastest and easiest way to spot a fake profile. Scammers and catfishers often steal photos from models, influencers, or random social media accounts.
How to Do a Reverse Image Search
Google Images Method:
- Right-click on their profile photo
- Select “Search Image with Google” (or save the image)
- Go to images.google.com
- Click the camera icon and upload the image
- Review results for other instances of the same photo
Alternative Tools:
- TinEye.com – Specialized reverse image search engine
- Yandex Images – Russian search engine (surprisingly effective)
- Bing Visual Search – Microsoft’s image search tool
What to Look For
- 🚩 Photo appears on modeling websites – Likely stolen from a model’s portfolio
- 🚩 Photo appears with different names – Same photo, multiple identities = fake
- 🚩 Photo is used in news articles or public content – Stolen from legitimate source
- ✅ Photo only appears on their social media – Good sign (but not conclusive)
Step 2: Cross-Check Their Personal Details
People who are lying often can’t keep their story straight. Verify the details they share:
Details to Verify
- Full name: Google their full name in quotes (“John Smith Denver”)
- Employer: Check LinkedIn, company websites, verify employment
- Education: Search for them on alumni networks or school websites
- Location: Ask about local landmarks, restaurants, or events
- Phone number: Do a reverse phone lookup (many free options)
- Email address: Search the email on Google and social media
Free Verification Tools
- Google: Simply search their name, phone, email in quotes
- LinkedIn: Verify employment history and connections
- Facebook/Instagram: Check for authentic-looking profiles with history
- WhitePages.com: Basic name and phone number lookup
- TrueCaller: Identify phone numbers and spam callers
Step 3: Analyze Their Social Media Presence
Real people have real digital footprints. Fake accounts have telltale signs:
Red Flags on Social Media
- 🚩 Account created very recently (last few weeks or months)
- 🚩 Very few friends or followers (less than 50-100)
- 🚩 No tagged photos from other people
- 🚩 No interactions or comments from friends
- 🚩 All photos are professional quality (possibly stolen)
- 🚩 Generic or vague posts without personal details
- 🚩 Profile is completely private with minimal public info
Good Signs of an Authentic Profile
- ✅ Account is several years old with consistent posting history
- ✅ Mutual friends or connections you recognize
- ✅ Tagged photos with other people who interact
- ✅ Mix of photo quality (not all professional shots)
- ✅ Personal posts about daily life, events, interests
- ✅ Comments and interactions from real-looking friends
Step 4: Request a Video Call
This is non-negotiable before meeting in person or sharing sensitive information.
Why Video Calls Matter
- Confirms they look like their photos (recent and accurate)
- Verifies they’re in the location they claim
- Allows you to assess their authenticity and demeanor
- Scammers often refuse or make excuses to avoid video
Red Flags During Video Call Requests
- 🚩 Repeatedly cancels or reschedules
- 🚩 Claims camera is broken (for weeks on end)
- 🚩 Only wants to text or voice call, never video
- 🚩 Video quality is suspiciously poor or glitchy
- 🚩 Background doesn’t match their claimed location
Pro tip: Ask them to do something spontaneous on video—hold up a specific number of fingers, wave, or show you something in their environment. This prevents the use of pre-recorded videos.
Step 5: Watch for Common Scam Patterns
Scammers follow predictable patterns. Be alert for these warning signs:
Romance Scam Red Flags
- 🚩 Professes love or strong feelings very quickly
- 🚩 Claims to be military, working overseas, or traveling
- 🚩 Has an emergency and needs money “temporarily”
- 🚩 Wants to move conversation off the dating platform immediately
- 🚩 Asks for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- 🚩 Won’t meet in person due to repeated “emergencies”
Business/Investment Scam Red Flags
- 🚩 Promises of unrealistic returns or “guaranteed” profits
- 🚩 Pressure to invest quickly or “limited time offers”
- 🚩 Asks for money upfront before providing services
- 🚩 Can’t provide verifiable business credentials or references
- 🚩 Uses only cryptocurrency or untraceable payment methods
Step 6: Run a Professional Background Check
For serious relationships, business partnerships, or situations involving significant trust, consider a professional background check.
What Professional Background Checks Reveal
- Criminal records: Federal, state, and county criminal history
- Civil court records: Lawsuits, judgments, liens
- Marital status: Marriage and divorce records
- Property ownership: Real estate records and addresses
- Professional licenses: Verify credentials and certifications
- Employment history: Confirm work experience claims
- Financial records: Bankruptcies and credit issues (with authorization)
Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye provides comprehensive background check services with fast turnaround and detailed reports. We’ve helped countless Colorado residents verify identities before making important decisions.
Step 7: Trust Your Instincts
As private investigators, we always say: If something feels off, it probably is.
Common gut feelings that deserve attention:
- They seem “too good to be true”
- Their story doesn’t quite add up
- They avoid direct questions or give vague answers
- You feel pressured or rushed into decisions
- Friends or family express concerns
- They’re evasive about meeting in person
Your safety and peace of mind are worth more than giving someone the benefit of the doubt.
What NOT to Share Until Identity is Verified
Protect yourself by never sharing this information until you’re absolutely certain of someone’s identity:
- ❌ Social Security Number
- ❌ Bank account or credit card information
- ❌ Home address (use nearby public meeting places instead)
- ❌ Workplace name or location
- ❌ Children’s names, schools, or photos
- ❌ Travel plans or when you’ll be away from home
- ❌ Financial information or investment details
- ❌ Intimate photos or compromising content
When to Hire a Private Investigator
Consider professional help if:
- You’re planning marriage or a serious commitment
- You’re entering a business partnership or major investment
- You suspect you’re being scammed or catfished
- The person has access to your children (nanny, tutor, coach)
- Your online research raises red flags but no clear answers
- You’ve already sent money or shared sensitive information
- You’re concerned about safety but can’t verify their story
At Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye, we conduct discrete relationship investigations, verify online identities, and provide comprehensive background reports. Our licensed Colorado investigators use legal databases and investigative techniques unavailable to the public.
Real-World Examples
Case Study: The “Military Officer” Romance Scam
A Colorado woman met a man on a dating app claiming to be a U.S. Army officer stationed overseas. Red flags our investigation uncovered:
- Reverse image search showed his photo was stolen from a real officer’s memorial page
- The email domain wasn’t a legitimate .mil military email
- He requested money for “emergency leave paperwork” (the military doesn’t charge for this)
- Video calls were always “impossible due to military restrictions” (not true)
Result: The client avoided sending $5,000 and reported the scammer to authorities.
Case Study: The Fake Business Partner
A Denver entrepreneur was approached about a lucrative business opportunity. Our background check revealed:
- The “successful businessman” had multiple bankruptcies
- Criminal record for fraud and embezzlement
- The business address was a UPS Store mailbox
- Professional licenses he claimed were completely fabricated
Result: The client avoided a $50,000 investment scam.
Quick Verification Checklist
Use this checklist before meeting someone in person or sharing sensitive information:
- ☐ Reverse image searched all their photos
- ☐ Googled their full name, phone number, and email
- ☐ Verified their social media profiles look authentic
- ☐ Checked for mutual connections or references
- ☐ Completed at least one video call
- ☐ Verified their claimed employer/school (if applicable)
- ☐ Asked detailed questions about their background
- ☐ Checked for common scam patterns
- ☐ Trusted my instincts (no red flags)
- ☐ Told a friend/family member about the person
If you can’t check off most of these items, proceed with extreme caution or consider professional verification.
Stay Safe Online
Verifying someone’s identity online isn’t paranoia—it’s common sense in the digital age. Taking these precautions protects you from:
- Financial fraud and scams
- Identity theft
- Emotional manipulation
- Physical danger
- Wasted time and energy
Remember: Legitimate people understand the need for verification and won’t be offended by reasonable precautions. Anyone who gets defensive or angry when you try to verify their identity is waving a major red flag.
Need Help Verifying Someone’s Identity?
If you’re unsure about someone’s identity or need professional verification services, Rocky Mountain Eagle Eye is here to help. Our licensed Colorado private investigators provide:
- • Comprehensive background checks – Criminal, civil, financial records
- • Identity verification – Confirm someone is who they claim to be
- • Online investigation – Digital footprint analysis and social media research
- • Romance scam investigation – Verify online dating matches
- • Discrete service – Complete confidentiality and professional reporting
Contact us for a free consultation:
- 📞 Phone: 303-381-4585
- 📧 Email: Info@RockyMountainEagleEye.com
- 📍 Office: 18475 W Colfax Ave Ste 132, Golden, CO 80401
- 🌐 Schedule Online: Request Free Consultation
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