How to catch a cheating partner, according to a private investigator

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More people are turning to TikTok to find out ways to catch their cheating partners, but some of the advice being thrown about by content creators isn’t always reliable.

“Honestly, most of the time when someone’s thinking about hiring an investigator or trying out those DIY TikTok hacks to confirm a suspicion about their partner, their instincts are probably right,” Mark Hodgson, a private investigator at Tremark, told The Toronto Sun.

“But in my experience, it’s always better to trust your gut and just have an honest conversation.”

He looked at several viral hacks and discerned which ones were effective and debunked the rest.

Location tracking apps

You may have apps such as Life360 for your children, so why wouldn’t the same work for an adult?

While many TikTok users have admitted to using them to monitor a partner’s movements and whereabouts, the issue is more about how the use of such apps without consent can violate privacy laws.

“This kind of surveillance can cross legal boundaries and erode trust,” he said.

“It’s far better to have an open and honest conversation with your partner about your concerns.”

Monitor social media

Checking a person’s social media for hidden messages can sometimes work, Hodgson said, but noted that one must remember that not all interactions are indicative of infidelity or romantic/sexual intent.

“Always consider context — just because someone is messaging someone else doesn’t mean they are cheating,” Hodgson explained.

“It’s essential to look for patterns rather than isolated incidents,” he said. “The key is to observe the overall behaviour and look for signs that go beyond just social media activity.”

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Revamp in grooming habits

A sudden change in how a partner presents themselves online and in person can sometimes indicate a desire to impress someone new.

“While not definitive proof of cheating, noticeable changes in behaviour or grooming can be a sign that something is amiss,” Hodgson suggested, but added that “other indicators” may need to be factored in.

Join “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” Facebook groups

These groups can be a treasure trove of shared experiences, but it could also be gossip to land an innocent person in hot water.

“Misinformation can spread like wildfire in online communities,” Hodgson noted. “It’s crucial to verify claims before jumping to conclusions.”

Put glitter inside passenger seat’s mirror

This TikTok trend suggests putting glitter inside the mirror above the passenger seat, assuming the supposed affair partner will open it and be covered in the sparkly stuff, but Hodgson dismissed its impracticality.

“This trick relies on several unlikely scenarios — that your partner is cheating, that the other person will open the mirror, and that the glitter will spill visibly.”

Check for secret apps on phone

Many videos and articles about “secret apps” have gone viral, creating a misconception that these apps are the go-to solution for uncovering infidelity.

Ultimately, though, using such methods can breach privacy and seriously harm the trust in a relationship.

“Checking for secret apps may seem like an effective shortcut, but breaking your partner’s trust by checking their phone can cause more harm than good.”