Can Instant Checkmate® Provide a Fuller Picture Than Social Media?

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Most people have some form of social media presence, and many assume that searching platforms like Facebook®, Instagram®, or LinkedIn® can provide a complete picture of someone’s background. However, social media profiles only tell part of the story.

Instant Checkmate, a popular online background check service, claims to be able to help provide a more comprehensive view by aggregating publicly available information into detailed reports. But what exactly can this service reveal beyond what’s available through a basic social media search?

How To Use Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate provides several ways to access its public records search capabilities. Users typically begin by visiting the official website, where a prominently displayed search bar allows for immediate queries. For those preferring mobile access, dedicated apps are available for both iOS and Android devices.

The basic search process starts with entering a person’s name, though users can also initiate searches using phone numbers or email addresses. When searching by name, including additional information such as city and state can help narrow down results, particularly for common names. The platform then presents potential matches, which users can filter by age, known relatives, or location to identify the correct individual.

Once the correct person is identified, Instant Checkmate compiles a detailed report, drawing from various public data sources. Background reports may include current and historical contact information, criminal and traffic records where available, public records such as marriages and divorces, and links to social media profiles.

Beyond basic name searches, Instant Checkmate offers specialized search options. Users can perform reverse phone lookups to identify unknown callers or reverse email searches to learn more about the sender of an email. The service also includes an inmate search feature for accessing information about current or former federal inmates, including release dates.

The platform operates on a subscription model, with its primary plan offering unlimited person and location reports along with report monitoring capabilities. Instant Checkmate offers a five-day trial period, which converts to a full subscription if not canceled. For users primarily interested in phone lookups, a separate plan is available at a lower cost.

Report management features allow users to save searches for future reference and download unlimited PDF reports for a separate one-time fee. The platform also includes monitoring capabilities that alert users to changes in previously generated reports to help maintain up-to-date information on subjects of interest.

Key Differences From Social Media Searches

While social media can provide insights into someone’s current life and connections, it has significant limitations. Social profiles are self-curated, often incomplete, and may be outdated or deliberately misleading.

Many online daters have encountered potential scammers on dating platforms, highlighting the need for deeper verification methods.

According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 52% of Americans who have used dating sites or apps report encountering someone they believe was trying to scam them. This number rises even higher for certain demographics; 63% of male users under 50 report encountering potential scammers on dating platforms. Among current or recent dating app users, this concern is even more prevalent, with 72% of men reporting they’ve encountered suspected scammers.

Instant Checkmate’s reports can potentially reveal information that wouldn’t be visible through social media alone, including:

— Address History: The service can uncover a detailed history of known addresses, which can help locate individuals or corroborate information they provide.

— Criminal and Traffic Records: Unlike social media, which rarely reveals legal issues unless voluntarily shared, Instant Checkmate can access public criminal and traffic histories.

— Property Records: The platform can provide information about property ownership and assets that might not be visible through social channels.

Real-World Applications

The service has found particular utility in several common scenarios, including vetting online marketplace transactions and neighborhood research.

With e-commerce sales reaching over $6 trillion, the need for buyer and seller vetting has increased. Instant Checkmate can help users vet the identity and background of individuals they’re considering conducting personal transactions with, particularly for high-value items or in-person exchanges.

Users can also employ the reverse address lookup feature to learn more about their communities and potential neighbors, providing information that might not be readily available through social media channels. 

There are some limitations, however.  For example, the service explicitly states that it cannot be used for Fair Credit Reporting Act purposes such as employment, tenant and credit screening. 

The Bigger Picture

While social media provides a window into someone’s curated online presence, Instant Checkmate aims to deliver a more comprehensive view by combining digital footprints with official records. According to the company’s materials, its technology matches, filters, and surfaces information in an easy-to-read format, potentially providing insights that wouldn’t be available through social media searches alone.

With online marketplaces and online dating now the norm, the need for detailed background information beyond social media continues to grow.

For users seeking to make informed decisions about personal relationships, Instant Checkmate can serve as a complementary tool to social media searches, providing additional layers of verification through official records and data aggregation. However, it’s important to remember that both methods, social media searches and background check services, have their strengths and limitations, and often work best when used in combination rather than in isolation.