Date Detectives Screen Your Online Matches for You

Some analysts believe that 20 million amorous Americans, including celebrities and sports icons, now subscribe to Internet matchmaking services. Universities even offer courses in online flirting, niche sites offer specific matchmaking services, and "online dating assistants" perform partner trolling for busy -- or lazy -- singles.

But, despite the progress and success of online dating, the services are still plagued by liars, cheaters, pedophiles and con artists. Inspired, or perhaps disgusted, by those inherent dangers, various government officials apparently intend to force the adjustment of online dating liability laws. Culpable sites would conceivably take a more active approach in weeding out unwanted, or potentially dangerous, members.

Until those laws change, though, wary singles now have access to online dating private eyes, who -- for a small fee, of course -- perform background checks on possible partners. According to the New York Times, retired New York State Police captain Robert Buchholz launched his dating detective service to "provide some degree of safety." His company, My Match Checker, charges $9.95 for a "basic background search." Some companies even offer mobile apps that allow snooping daters to instantly and personally "look up before you hook up."

This development shouldn't exactly surprise too many folks, though. Such dating background checks were accurately predicted in specific detail long ago, in the prescient and classic 1987 film 'Amazon Women on the Moon.' (Starring, of course, the one and only Steve Guttenberg.) Seriously, now: how many people saw that coming?