ClarityCheck’s latest internal analysis reveals a marked behavioral shift: users are increasingly turning to identity verification as a first step, rather than a fallback, when encountering new digital contacts.
An internal survey conducted by ClarityCheck among 3,120 users across the US, UK, and EU indicates that digital caution has become a proactive norm. 71% of respondents said they routinely verify a phone number, email address, or profile image before engaging with a new contact, and 58% reported doing so within minutes of first contact.
Additional data from the same survey reveal more granular motivations: 39% cited concerns about online impersonation or catfishing, 34% mentioned previous negative experiences with fraud or deception, and 18% said verification has become a habit they follow regardless of the context. The remaining 9% pointed to general anxiety about digital authenticity.
While motivations vary, the most common triggers cited by users include personal safety concerns, interactions tied to dating, and attempts to make sense of missed calls or suspected ghosting.
The data also highlights demographic concentration. Adults aged 25-45 account for 60% of all lookups, while those aged 18-25 represent 25%. ClarityCheck attributes this pattern to a combination of greater exposure to digital interactions and a heightened sensitivity to online deception in both social and semi-professional settings.
The most prevalent use case among first-time users remains consistent: checking an unknown number or email immediately after receiving it. In a supplementary behavior analysis, 66% of new users said they felt "more in control" after verifying a contact, and 49% reported deciding not to respond to a message after seeing verification results.
Rather than diagnosing a societal trend, ClarityCheck presents these findings as evidence of a procedural shift: verification has become embedded in the early moments of digital contact, often preceding trust or familiarity. The company emphasizes that the change is not rooted in specific external events, but reflects evolving individual strategies for managing online risk.
In this environment, trust is not withheld; it is conditional on verification. This reordering of digital behavior has implications for how platforms, services, and communicators present themselves to audiences increasingly attuned to detecting misleading signals. Where trust once preceded engagement, engagement now often follows confirmation.
About ClarityCheck:
ClarityCheck is an all-in-one background verification tool for phone numbers, emails, and images. Designed for everyday digital safety, ClarityCheck helps users instantly identify unknown contacts, trace suspicious profiles, and check for potential fraud across phone, email, and photo input. By combining reverse lookup and OSINT technologies, it offers a streamlined way to verify identities and protect yourself online.
ClarityCheck is an all-in-one background verification tool for phone numbers, emails, and images. Designed for everyday digital safety, ClarityCheck helps users instantly identify unknown contacts, trace suspicious profiles, and check for potential fraud across phone, email, and photo input. By combining reverse lookup and OSINT technologies, it offers a streamlined way to verify identities and protect yourself online.
Media Contact:
ClarityCheck
pr@claritycheck.com
Lauren Fellows
PR Manager
ClarityCheck
pr@claritycheck.com
Lauren Fellows
PR Manager