What is a Social Media Investigation and Why Does it Matter?
By Caroline Caranante | Dec. 26, 2025 | 4 min. read
What you will find below:
- A Clear Explanation of What a Social Media Investigation is
- How Investigators Ethically Use Publicly Available Posts to Verify Claims and Timelines
- Examples Showing How Social Media Can Report or Challenge Reported Injuries and Limitations
When someone files a claim, opens a case, or reports an injury, investigators rely on many tools to understand what really happened. One of the most effective and least intrusive tools today is the social media investigation, a structured review of publicly available online content to help verify facts, timelines, and activity levels.
With how much people share online, the social media investigation has become a natural part of modern claims work.
Why is a Social Media Investigation Useful?
In the U.S., there are roughly 239 million social media users, which is nearly three-fourths of the entire population. Most people post photos, check-ins, comments, job updates, and even workout routines without much thought. Pew Research also reports that 75% of adults use at least one social platform, and many leave their accounts public.
For investigators, a claimant’s digital footprint can often help answer basic questions: Where were they? What were they doing? Does their online activity match what they’ve reported?
The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF) found that 65% of insurers now use social media in investigations, and 97% of investigators say it’s a valuable tool.
What is a Social Media Investigation?
A social media investigation is simply a structured search of public online content related to a person involved in a claim or case. This typically includes:
- TikTok
- X
- YouTube
- Fitness apps (Strava, Peloton, etc.)
- Geotagged or location-based posts
- Public comments and tagged photos
The goal is to gather public information that helps adjusters, attorneys, or investigators confirm the accuracy of statements already on file.
Is a Social Media Investigation Intrusive?
A common misconception is that social media investigations involve digging into private accounts or “hacking” into someone’s profile. That doesn’t happen. These investigations are intentionally non-invasive, limited to what any member of the public can legally view.
Here’s what investigators don’t do:
- They don’t access private accounts or protected content.
- They don’t send friend requests or impersonate anyone.
- They don’t bypass passwords, security settings, or privacy controls.
- They don’t use any tool that violates platform rules or hacking laws.
If someone chooses to keep their account private, investigators simply don’t see it.
Although social media review falls under the broad umbrella of “open-source information,” it is not the same as deep OSINT or intelligence-style internet mining. Instead, it is a focused look at public posts, timestamps, check-ins, photos, videos, and comments that the user intentionally made visible.
It’s essentially the digital version of reviewing any other public record, ethical, compliant, and commonly used across insurance, legal, and risk management settings.
How Does a Social Media Investigation Validate Claims?
Conducting a social media investigation doesn’t automatically mean someone is lying. In many cases, it can support a legitimate claim by confirming timelines or showing documented injuries.
However, it can also reveal inconsistencies that matter.
1. Activity Contradicting Reported Injuries
According to the American Bar Association, a long-term disability claimant told her insurer she could barely walk. Investigators later found videos of her teaching dance classes on Facebook and YouTube. Her benefits were terminated, and the court upheld the decision.
2. Vacation Photos During a Claimed Injury Period
According to Claims Bureau USA, a Workers’ Compensation claimant said he couldn’t work due to a serious shoulder injury. His Instagram, however, showed him zip-lining and kayaking in Mexico during the exact period of disability.
3. Lifestyle Inconsistent with Disability Limitations
According to the American Bar Association, a disability claimant described debilitating fatigue and limited mobility. Her insurer found photos of her hiking, traveling, and attending festivals, all publicly posted. The denial was upheld in court.
These aren’t rare. With hundreds of millions of Americans online, timelines and activity are often easy to verify.
A social media investigation has become one of the most effective ways to verify facts in a claim. It’s simple, accessible, and backed by a massive amount of publicly shared information. When used correctly, it helps ensure fairness, supporting legitimate claims while identifying the ones that don’t line up.
Looking for a strong, compliant social media investigation? Talk to our experts today.
Check out our sources:
Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech, 26 Apr. 2021, Social Media Fact Sheet, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/