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A few minutes of checking can save you a lot of heartache. To verify someone you met online, check for a verification badge, run a reverse image search on their photos, video call before you meet and make sure their story holds together. Here are seven checks to run before a first date, in the order that makes sense, plus what never to share while you’re still getting to know someone.
1. Check for a verification badge
Most major dating apps offer photo or selfie verification. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and Badoo, among others, ask users to take a live selfie that’s compared with their profile photos. A verified badge confirms the photos show the person you’re talking to.
It doesn’t tell you whether they’re honest about everything else, so treat it as a good start rather than proof.
2. Reverse image search their photos
A reverse image search shows where else a photo appears online.
- Take a screenshot of one or two of their photos.
- Upload them to Google Lens, TinEye or Bing Visual Search.
- Check whether the same photos appear under a different name, on a model’s account or on stock photo sites.
If they do, the profile is almost certainly fake. If nothing comes up, that’s a good sign but not proof: AI-generated faces don’t appear anywhere else online. Our guide on how to spot a catfish lists clues that a photo may be AI-generated.
3. Video call before you meet
A short video call confirms identity better than any other check. It also tells you whether you actually enjoy talking to each other. Many apps, including Bumble, Hinge and Badoo, have video calls built in, so you don’t need to share your number.
Suggest it casually: “I’d love to hear your voice before we meet. Free for a quick video call this week?” Real people who want to meet you rarely refuse. If someone always has an excuse, take note.
4. Search their name and details
Search their first name together with their city, workplace or school. Look at any social media they’ve mentioned and check that it looks lived in: posts over several years, friends who interact, photos that match. A brand-new account with few friends and very polished photos is worth a second look.
If they’ve shared a job, a quick look at a professional networking profile often confirms it. Keep it proportionate. You’re checking they’re real, not investigating their past.
5. Check that their story holds together
Ask friendly, specific questions and notice whether the answers stay consistent over time.
- Does the time they reply fit the time zone they say they live in?
- Do details about their job, family or age stay the same from week to week?
- Can they talk about their city in a way only a local would?
Small slips happen. A pattern of vague or changing answers is a warning sign.
6. Watch for money requests and pressure
Any request for money, gift cards or crypto from someone you haven’t met is the clearest sign of a scam, however good the reason sounds. So is pressure to move off the dating app quickly, to keep the relationship secret or to invest in something. Read our 12 warning signs of romance scams to know the common stories.
7. Plan a safe first meeting
When you’re confident they’re real, keep the first date simple and safe.
- Meet in a busy public place, like a café, market or museum.
- Get there and back on your own, by car, taxi or public transit.
- Tell a friend where you’re going, who you’re meeting and when you’ll check in. Many phones let you share your live location for a few hours.
- Keep the first date short. An hour is plenty to know whether you want a second one.
Need ideas? Our list of first date ideas includes low-pressure options that work well for meeting an online match.
What not to share yet
Until you’ve met and built some trust, keep these to yourself:
- Your home address and your exact workplace.
- Your full name if it makes you easy to find, and your children’s names or schools.
- Photos of documents, bank details or anything you’d use to prove your identity.
- Private photos you wouldn’t want shared.
None of this is about assuming the worst. It’s the same caution you’d use with anyone new, and people with good intentions will understand.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to look someone up before a first date?
Yes. Basic checks using public information, such as a reverse image search or a search of their name and city, are a sensible safety step and widely expected today. Keep it respectful. You’re confirming they’re real, not digging into their past, and there’s no need to mention everything you found.
How do I ask for a video call without making it awkward?
Keep it light and frame it as a normal step before meeting. Something like “I’d love to hear your voice before we meet. Free for a quick video call this week?” works well. Most people who are serious about meeting will say yes, and many dating apps have video calls built in.
What if my match refuses to video call?
Ask once more, kindly, and offer a short call inside the app. If they still refuse, especially with a new excuse each time, treat it as a red flag. Real people who want to meet you rarely avoid a two-minute call. Don’t move to another app or share personal details until they agree.
Is a verification badge enough to trust someone?
A badge is a good start, because it confirms the person’s selfie matches their profile photos. It doesn’t tell you anything about their intentions, relationship status or honesty. Treat it as one check among several, and still video call and meet somewhere public.