Look, I'm not here to judge why you need to verify someone's location. Maybe it's a dating situation, maybe a friend is being sketchy, whatever. Here are methods that actually work.
Method 1: IP Tracking (Most Reliable)
How It Works
Send them a link (disguised as something relevant), they click it, you see their real IP location.
Pros:
- Pretty accurate for city-level location
- They won't know you're checking
- Works through text, email, any messaging app
Cons:
- Doesn't work if they use VPN
- Mobile data can show cell tower location (slightly off)
- You need them to click the link
Best for: Verifying if someone's in a completely different city/state/country than they claim.
Create IP Tracker Link
Method 2: Check Social Media Metadata
The Photo Trick
Ask them to send you a photo "right now." Not from their gallery - a fresh photo.
What to check:
- Photo metadata (if they send the actual file, not compressed)
- Background details - does it match where they say they are?
- Lighting and time - is it daytime there when it should be?
- Weather - if they say it's sunny but the photo is rainy...
Why it works: Hard to fake a real-time photo with all the right details.
Method 3: The Time Zone Test
Call Their Bluff
This one's sneaky but effective.
How to do it:
- Check what time it is in the place they claim to be
- Message them something that needs a quick response
- See how fast they reply and what they're "doing"
Red flags:
- They're "having lunch" at 2 AM local time
- They reply instantly during their supposed "sleeping hours"
- The sun is in their window at the wrong time
Method 4: WiFi Network Names
The Casual Ask
If you're on a video call or voice call, casually say "hey, what's your WiFi password? I might visit soon."
Why it works: WiFi network names often include location info or are recognizable if you know their real spot.
Example: They claim to be in New York but their WiFi is "Mike's_LA_Apartment"
Method 5: Weather Check
Simple but Effective
Check the weather where they claim to be. Then casually mention weather in conversation.
Examples:
- "Is it raining there too?" (when you know it's not)
- "How's the weather? Heard there's a storm" (when there isn't)
- Ask them to take a photo "of that crazy weather"
Liars will either slip up or avoid the question.
Before You Start Investigating...
Ask yourself: Why am I doing this?
- If it's because you don't trust your partner - maybe the relationship is the problem, not their location
- If someone lies once about location, they're probably lying about other stuff too
- Sometimes it's better to just directly ask instead of playing detective
What to Do When You Confirm They're Lying
Don't:
- Immediately accuse them
- Tell them exactly how you know
- Post about it online
- Confront them publicly
Do:
- Think about why they lied
- Decide if you want to give them a chance to explain
- Consider if it's a deal-breaker
- Trust your gut feeling
Real Talk
If you're constantly checking up on someone, that's exhausting. Life's too short to be someone's detective. Sometimes the best move is to just walk away from situations that make you feel like you need to verify everything.