Online dating detectives

The New York Times has an interesting piece about the rise of online dating detectives -- people who promise to perform background checks on the potential romantic matches you meet online.

An excerpt from the article:

The focus on background screenings comes as some 20 million Americans are using dating sites, more than double the number five years ago, according to the market research firm IBISWorld.

While they are finding casual dates and even love, they are also encountering married people pretending to be single or, worse, sexual predators and convicted felons.

I think now it's only reasonable to assume your date will Google you prior to your first face-to-face meeting. It's no longer regarded as "stalking," but rather a necessary precaution in the dating world.

But is it necessary to hire a paid detective?

Weigh in: When it comes to background checks, how far do you go prior to a first date?