While tech arguably made it easier to have affairs, it’s also made it easier to catch cheats red-handed – at least the ones that aren’t careful with their digital footprint, anyway.
According to Paul Evans from I-Spy Detectives, some shrewd adulterers have come up with a new way to avoid being found out.
And it uses a seemingly-innocuous app we all have on our phones.
The private detective says he’s seen a rise in people using shared calendar apps to plan their illicit meet-ups, effectively hiding infidelity in plain sight of their partners.
‘On the surface, it looks like a harmless dentist appointment or a work meeting, but when you dig deeper, those calendar entries are often a cover for something else,’ says Paul.
‘We’ve uncovered cases where the same slot is used every week, always in a different location, and never with a trace of genuine work behind it.’
In several instances, cheaters he’s exposed had even created a secret code with each other, covertly saying where they’ll meet through phrases like ‘team lunch’ or ‘client call’.
Although text messages can be deleted, they’re the first port of call when a partner goes looking for evidence — and on top of the odd missive that slips through the net, clearly deleted replies is evidence in itself.
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On the contrary, calendar apps allow communications to be hidden, shared privately, or even sent to burner email accounts, while notifications fly completely under the radar.
‘They can sit there for months without raising suspicion, especially if the partner never checks,’ Paul explains. ‘That’s where we see a lot of deception happening. They know most people won’t think twice about a notification that looks work-related.’
Catching a calendar philanderer
Before you go accusing your partner of playing away simply because theykeep their schedule in check, remember that calendar app use doesn’t necessarily equal an affair.
Instead, it’s about spotting changes in their behaviour or habits, which Paul claims ‘always give them away in the end’.
‘If your partner always seems to be “working late” on Tuesdays, but there are no calls, no emails, and no explanation, it’s worth questioning,’ he says. ‘Patterns are the biggest giveaway.’
Paul recommends looking out for out-of-character behaviours, like if they suddenly become protective over their devices or their schedule stops making sense.
He adds: ‘You don’t have to go snooping, but you can start by asking direct questions. Most affairs unravel when people spot the little inconsistencies.’
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