Access Technology
About UsServicesTrainingDigital WellbeingCommunity EngagementTeamBlogContact
Access Technology Logo

Empowering individuals through innovative assistive technology solutions.

X (formerly Twitter)LinkedIn

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Services
  • Our Team

Resources

  • Professional Training
  • Digital Wellbeing
  • Blog & Updates
  • Contact Us

Connect

  • domore@accesstechnology.co.uk
  • 01765 824971
  • Based in Yorkshire & working throughout the UK.

#domorewithtechnology

Spotting the Real from the Fake: A Guide to Verifying Someone Online

Josie Banks

Josie Banks

10/8/2024 · 3 min read

Spotting the Real from the Fake: A Guide to Verifying Someone Online

In today's digital age, it’s easier than ever to connect with people from all over the world. But with the rise of social media, online dating, and remote work, it’s also easier for scammers, imposters, and fake profiles to blend in. Whether you're gaming with people across the world, making an online purchase, or meeting someone on a dating app, verifying someone's identity is crucial to protect yourself. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips and tools you can use to ensure the person you're interacting with online is who they claim to be. Let's dive into how you can spot the real from the fake!

Check Social Media Accounts

  • Profile Consistency: Check if the person's name, bio, and photos are consistent across different platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).
  • Engagement: Look for signs of genuine interaction, like comments from real users and regular posts. Fake accounts usually have low engagement or scripted content.
  • Verification Badges: Platforms like Twitter (now X), Instagram, and LinkedIn offer verified badges for authentic profiles of notable figures.
  • Profile Details: Review their bio, age, job, and location. Inconsistencies or vagueness in these details can be a red flag.
  • Photos: Do their photos look authentic? Do they have a range of pictures, not just model-like images? Authentic profiles often feature casual, varied pictures (e.g., selfies, group photos).

Google Search

  • Reverse Image Search: Use tools like Google’s Reverse Image Search or TinEye to check if a profile picture is stolen from another person or stock images.
  • Name Search: Search their name along with any known details (like their location) to find any webpages that include their name, e.g a newspaper article

LinkedIn and Professional Platforms

  • Mutual Connections: See if you have mutual connections that can vouch for the person.
  • Job History: Cross-reference their job history with company websites or other sources to ensure it’s accurate.

Video/Voice Calls

  • If possible, request a video or voice call to confirm their identity. This step can be particularly useful in personal relationships.
  • Before meeting someone in person, suggest having a video or voice call. Video calls are particularly effective because it's much harder to fake one’s identity during live interaction.
  • If they refuse to do this without a legitimate reason, it may indicate they are hiding something.

Online Reviews

  • If you're verifying an online seller or service provider, check reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Yelp, or Google Reviews to see what other users have said.

Email Verification

  • Check if their email domain is legitimate (for example, a business email should match the company domain). Tools like Hunter.io can verify if an email is valid.

Take Note of Red Flags

  • Immediate Personal Questions: Scammers often try to get personal or financial information early. Be wary if someone is asking for sensitive details like your address or financial information too soon.
  • Love Bombing: Someone who declares their love or deep affection very quickly, without meeting in person, might be manipulating you emotionally.
  • Avoidance of Meeting in Person: If they keep making excuses about meeting up or video calling, that’s a major warning sign.

Trust Your Instincts

  • If something feels off, trust your gut. Scammers can be very convincing, but inconsistencies, avoidance of direct contact, or overly emotional behavior early on can indicate that something isn’t right.

In the ever-expanding digital world, making genuine connections can be both exciting and risky. Whether you're networking, shopping, or seeking love online, verifying someone's identity is an essential step to protect yourself. By using the tips and tools discussed in this guide—like checking profile consistency, conducting reverse image searches, and having a video call—you can navigate the online space with confidence. Remember, it’s always better to be cautious than to fall victim to deception. Stay vigilant, trust your instincts, and always verify before you trust. Safe browsing!

Josie Banks

Written by

Josie Banks

ShareShare on LinkedIn

Related Articles

Digital activities to help you and your kids avoid getting stuck inside this summer!

Digital activities to help you and your kids avoid getting stuck inside this summer!

We're all guilty of our screen time shooting up during the weekends and school holidays. So often, our children find themselves with nothing else to do but sit on their phones scrolling the summer holidays away. We've come up with a few ways you can incorporate device and internet use into the summer holiday that encourages children to get outdoors, explore their local community, and get creative. 1. Plant and animal ID apps such as Seek or PictureThis can be used to discover wildlife around y

Josie Banks
Josie Banks
6/9/2025·2 min read
Giving and receiving consent online vs offline: Is it any different?

Giving and receiving consent online vs offline: Is it any different?

Our lives are lived both offline, and, these days, more online than ever before. This includes our relationships, friendships, and sexual expressions. Whether you are swiping right on dating apps or hanging out with someone in person, consent is always essential. But how does consent work online? Is it different from "IRL" (in real life) situations? This post will explain how consent stays the same no matter where you are. No matter the setting, consent should always be: 1. Freely Given Co

Josie Banks
Josie Banks
5/27/2025·2 min read
Love on the spectrum: Neurodivergent friendly dating apps

Love on the spectrum: Neurodivergent friendly dating apps

Dating is already a confusing, vulnerable, and sometimes overwhelming experience for anyone. But for neurodivergent people, it can come with an extra layer of challenges that many others never have to think about. Whether you’re autistic, have ADHD, a brain injury, or live with other forms of neurodivergence, the world of dating can feel like it wasn’t built for you. From decoding body language and reading between the lines, to managing sensory overload in noisy bars or dealing with the unpredi

Josie Banks
Josie Banks
5/20/2025·3 min read