Confirm activity levels
Social media posts can be used to confirm a claimant’s activity level after an alleged injury. Perhaps the claimant is posting themselves performing activities that should be impossible given the alleged injury. For example, a claimant says they injured their knee at work, but social posts reveal them playing soccer with friends. Even if the claimant didn’t make the post themselves, social canvassing can include their immediate connection like family or friends, who may be posting photos or videos that feature the claimant (even if they’re just in the background!)
Social canvassing isn’t limited to checking for photos, exercise apps such as Strava or Nike+ can also be canvassed to determine activity levels both before and after an alleged injury.
Check for additional sources of income
In the age of “side hustle” culture, it’s not uncommon for individuals to have multiple sources of income. This can include storefronts on sites like Etsy, Poshmark or Craig’s List. Social canvassing can alert you to these potential sources of income.
Uncover references to injuries made before a compensation claim
Social canvassing can provide a window in a claimant’s past. Have they talked about injuring their knee, back, etc., before? Did they post pictures of these injuries? They may have had multiple “check ins” at a hospital or physician’s office, indicating the need for a record request at that facility.
Establish routines for surveillance purposes
Finally, the information shared on social media can help investigators establish a claimant’s usual routine in order to determine the best times to surveil. For example, the claimant posts about attending their child’s baseball practice every Saturday or their activity on exercise apps indicates that they usually go for a run in the morning. Investigators now have a starting point from which to begin their surveillance.
The information that can be gathered from a social canvass is as varied as the individuals under investigation. With so many different potential sources of information, it’s vital to understand the best places to look. INTERTEL is full of experts waiting to help you, and with our new Social eProfiler tool, we make it easier than ever to know which channels your claimant is active on. To get started on your next social canvass, go here.
