Credit Applications Are Dating Profiles — And You’re the One Getting Catfished
A little over 15 years ago, I signed up for an online dating platform: CatholicSingles.com. This was back when online dating was just starting to catch on.
Sites like Match.com and Plenty of Fish (pof.com) were gaining traction, but it was still a pretty new concept.
It wasn’t anything like the world we see today — no swiping, no endless DMs, no fancy apps with AI matching.
Back then, people might have used an old profile picture, or maybe they’d stretch the truth about themselves a little. And yes, every now and then, you’d run into someone trying to scam their way through the system — but even that felt tame compared to today’s catfishing culture.
Thinking back on that, it’s funny how much it reminds me of the credit applications I see and review every day.
Because let’s be honest:
Reviewing credit applications can feel a lot like online dating.
They show up clean. Polished. Full of promises.
The application is beautifully filled out. The business description sounds perfect. The trade references are thoughtfully written. Maybe even a few vague lines about how “we always pay on time” or “we’re looking for a serious, long-term relationship.”
But you and I both know…
A lot of things look amazing on paper — until it gets serious.
🎯 The Illusion of Compatibility
A company submits their application, and it looks like a dream:
Years in business? ✅
Trade references? ✅
Bank name? ✅ (Never a contact, of course.)
They even included their website, which still has a “Coming Soon” banner and a blurry logo.
At first glance, they look like a great match.
But here’s the problem: Credit applications are designed to make the applicant look good.
Just like dating profiles, they’re curated to hide the red flags and highlight the best angles.
🕵️♂️ Swipe Left on Bad Info
The goal of a credit review isn’t just to collect information — it’s to verify it.
That means:
Calling the references (and listening for that hesitation before they say “yes, they’re current”)
Looking up the actual secretary of state filings (not just what they claim on the app)
Digging into third-party data to find out who they really are
Would you go on a blind date without Googling the person first?
Then why would you extend a $50,000 credit line without verifying their background?
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For
Here are a few “first date” red flags I see all the time:
Vague ownership info — No names, just “management team”
Missing references — Or three references from companies you’ve never heard of
Email address is a Gmail — But their domain is supposedly a legit company
Rushed urgency — “We need this by Friday or we’ll have to go elsewhere” (Translation: they’ve already been declined.)
❤️ Build Long-Term Relationships, Not One-Night Credit Stands
Good customers want you to trust them — and they’ll gladly provide real info, transparency, and open communication.
Bad customers want access. FAST.
They want you to swipe right without thinking twice.
So treat every credit app like the first message on a dating app.
Read between the lines. Ask the follow-up questions. Check the references. And if something feels off?
Trust your gut. It’s probably not a match.
Because at the end of the day, you’re not just collecting paperwork —
You’re protecting the future of your receivables.
And no one has time to get ghosted when the invoice is due.
