A ClarityCheck user survey highlights how fraudsters are moving beyond fake photos, exploiting working phone numbers and emails to build trust more quickly.
The classic image of a digital catfish once relied on stolen photos or poorly built profiles. But new survey results suggest the deception has become more sophisticated. In a ClarityCheck survey of 2,100 users, 38% reported encounters with suspicious profiles that carried real phone numbers or email addresses but were tied to names, images, or stories that did not align.
For many respondents, this shift makes scams harder to spot. A functioning number or email creates an instant sense of credibility. 62% admitted they stayed engaged longer with suspicious contacts when a valid number or email was present, compared to just 28% who said they would continue after noticing an obviously fake photo. One respondent described receiving a call from a new contact who shared consistent details over several days; only after running a quick verification did they discover the number was linked to multiple unrelated names. Examples like this reveal how convincing the new wave of catfishing can feel in real time.
This reliance on authentic contact points has allowed digital catfishing to spread beyond dating apps into broader forms of fraud. Almost half of the survey participants said they had received phishing emails that appeared trustworthy but later proved false. Scam calls showed a similar pattern, with many users reporting initial trust simply because the number connected without issue.
More than one in three respondents said they now verify an unknown number or email within minutes of first contact. Those who checked early were far more likely to disengage when inconsistencies appeared, while those who delayed tended to remain exposed for longer. The survey suggests that the speed of verification is becoming as critical as the act itself.
Many participants described the presence of a working number as a form of “false reassurance,” making them second-guess their instincts even when other warning signs were visible. This emotional pull highlights why modern catfishing schemes succeed: they exploit not only technical gaps but also the human tendency to equate function with authenticity.
Respondents also reflected on the emotional aftermath of these encounters. Nearly half said they felt embarrassed after realizing they had trusted a false identity, while 36% described feelings of stress or anxiety that lingered even after the scam was uncovered. These responses suggest that the impact of catfishing is not limited to wasted time or potential financial risk; it extends into personal well-being and the way people approach future digital interactions.
The broader pattern points to an evolution in digital deception. Where fraudulent photos once defined the catfish, the new hallmark is the blending of valid infrastructure with fabricated identities. Respondents stressed that they now see verification as essential, not optional, in managing digital interactions.
The rise of real numbers tied to fake identities signals a new frontier in online safety. As fraudsters adapt, users are being forced to change their own habits, questioning what seems real and adopting verification as a routine step. The survey suggests that digital trust is no longer built on appearances but on evidence, reshaping how people choose to engage with strangers online.
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.