Social Catfish: The Ultimate Defense Against Online Impersonation

What is Social Catfish?

Social Catfish is an online investigation platform specialized in scam prevention and identity verification. Unlike PimEyes, which only finds similar faces, Social Catfish attempts to connect a photo to a real person’s identity by scanning social media profiles, public records, and "catfish" databases.

In 2026, it has become a vital resource for online daters and marketplace users. It doesn't just show you where an image appears; it helps you "connect the dots" by finding associated names, locations, and even relatives tied to a suspicious profile.

Key Features for 2026

• Multi-Input Identity Search: Start an investigation with a photo, name, email address, phone number, or even a social media username.

• AI Image Detection: (New for 2026) A specialized layer that identifies if a profile picture is likely AI-generated or a deepfake, a common tactic used by modern scammers.

• Comprehensive Search Reports: Instead of just a list of links, you receive an organized report detailing potential aliases, addresses, and linked social media accounts.

• Hidden Data Identification: The "RIS Pro" feature can uncover metadata hidden within image files, sometimes revealing the original location or date a photo was taken.

• Scam & Catfishing Guidance: The platform includes educational tools that analyze your search results against known "romance scam" patterns to give you a risk rating.

• Personal Identity Alerts: Monitor your own digital presence; get notified if your photos or phone number are being used by suspicious accounts elsewhere.

2026 Pricing: Professional Investigation Plans

Social Catfish primarily operates on a monthly subscription model for unlimited investigative access.

• Standard Image Search: $36 / month. Includes unlimited image searches, AI detection, and personal risk alerts.

• State/Social Bundle: (Starts at ~$5.73 / week). A lower-cost entry point for basic name and social media lookups.

• Full Professional Report: One-time fees are sometimes available for deep-dive background checks that include criminal records and detailed financial history.

Social Catfish vs. PimEyes vs. FaceCheck ID

Feature	Social Catfish	PimEyes	FaceCheck ID
Primary Goal	Verify Identity / Scams	Monitor Privacy	Find Social Links
Search Inputs	Photo, Phone, Email, Name	Photo Only	Photo Only
Data Source	Public Records & Social	Open Web Index	Social & Mugshots
Accuracy	High for Person Search	Elite for Faces	High for Social
Best For	Online Dating / Safety	Professional Monitoring	Quick Social Checks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Social Catfish find "deleted" profiles?

Yes. Because Social Catfish indexes public records and maintains its own database of historical scam profiles, it can often find traces of an identity even if the original social media account has been deleted.

Is it legal to use Social Catfish?

Yes. The service aggregates publicly available data and complies with privacy laws. However, it is not an FCRA-compliant service, meaning you cannot use it for employment screening or tenant vetting.

What should I do if the search finds a scammer?

If Social Catfish confirms you are talking to a scammer, the platform provides a one-click "Report" tool to notify dating apps or social networks. They also suggest immediately cutting off all contact and blocking the individual.