The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the fabric of our nation in unprecedented and peculiar ways, impacting the way we work, play, and navigate our closest relationships inside and outside our homes.

As Toronto’s leading Private Investigator Team, at Star Quality Private Investigations®, we’ve experienced a marked increase in the number of clients seeking investigative services upon witnessing cracks in their relationship. Home isolation or social distancing measures may have exacerbated existing issues within the marriage or relationship, leading to surging levels of infidelity, addictions, domestic abuse, and several other concerning questionable behaviours. In the time of COVID-19 however, the tell-tale signs of cheating behaviour may look a little different.

Why Is My Partner’s Phone and Computer Password Protected?

With fewer people spending time within public spaces or in the office, many new affairs and casual encounters almost always begin through a screen. In fact, Ashley Madison, the infamous online dating platform for people seeking intermarital affairs, saw a 30% jump in Canadian sign-ups in early April, shortly after lock-down measures took place. According to the site, some users may just be looking for someone to talk to other than their spouse. Others are seeking emotional validation or chasing the fantasy of a secret sex life. While some will keep their covert relationships online, many will take the next step to pursue the affair in person, despite any COVID-19 roadblocks.

Not only are these cheating spouses breaking their marriage vows, but should they choose to come in contact with their covert lover, they may be exposing their spouse to a potentially deadly illness as well as sexual transmitted diseases. So, given that the consequences of a cheating partner are considerably more concerning in the midst of a public health crisis, here are the top signs to look out for that may indicate an affair during COVID-19:

Behavioral Changes

Changes in behaviour are often a sign of infidelity, whether your partner is engaging in a physical or emotional affair. Sudden hostility, irritability, insecurity, or even overly affectionate behaviour are all common signs of a cheating partner. The thrill as well as the guilt harboured by a cheating partner can be a lot to process, and frequent, uncharacteristic changes in mood are often a by-product of this.

Take for example, Jane. Jane’s husband Brad had begun to display some anxious behaviours, which she assumed to be the result of their extended isolation period and the inaccessibility of his usual stress-relievers of the gym and his bowling league. When Jane started paying closer attention, she noticed that Brad has also stopped his habit of bringing her coffee in bed on the weekends, and seemed to no longer say “I love you” as often as he used to. While Brad was always at home, his sudden withdrawal and anxious tendencies were Jane’s cue to start looking for answers.

Seeking Excuses to Leave

Amid the lock-down, and even in the months following, many were mindful to keep public outings to a minimum to prevent unnecessary exposure to the highly contagious coronavirus. Even after most of the country transitioned into phase three, a cloud of caution lingers over indoor spaces such as restaurants, gyms, grocery stores and bars, and many businesses have extended remote working allowances indefinitely. With fewer reasons to leave the house, a cheating spouse may go out of their way to create excuses to leave, such as picking fights then storming out to “cool down”…or taking curiously long to pick up groceries.

Secretive and Prolonged Screen Time

Particularly if the majority of the affair is taking place online, a cheating spouse will inevitably be cautious and secretive about their screen time. Perhaps they become jumpy if you enter the room unannounced, or have suspiciously changed their password on their phone, tablet, or laptop. Going to the bathroom more frequently and for extended periods of time, maybe also be a tell tale sign they are using this time to communicate with their lover. Also take note if your spouse, who is typically glued to their smartphone, has frequently been “forgetting” their phone at home upon stepping out of the house. This could be deliberate attempt to avoid being traced or interrupted.

Surging, or Dwindling Intimacy

With a spiked increase in online affairs surfacing during COVID-19, partners may be satisfying their emotional needs through their cheating, but the in-person intimacy with their lover is likely limited. To make up for this, a cheating partner may suddenly have a renewed drive for bedroom activity, or, alternatively, they may pull away both emotionally and physically.  Make note of a spike or the absence of sex in your relationship, as well as new bedroom behaviours that correlate with the other tell-tale signs of cheating.

Remember that these are merely warning signs, rather than a smoking gun. Accusing your partner of infidelity without evidence in hand, and being wrong, can sometimes be more devastating to a relationship that the cheating itself. In the event that you suspect unfaithful behaviour that may put the health of you or your family members at undue risk of exposure to COVID-19, seek the help of a Trusted Private Investigator Team.

A Private Investigation Agency can help you secure evidence should you suspect that the online relationship has moved offline, covertly meeting in-person. Using methods such as undercover surveillance and tracking, an infidelity investigation can approve or disprove your suspicions that your spouse/partner is risking the marriage and your health! Video and still photography speaks 1000 words.

With a highly experienced division of Infidelity Investigators, Star Quality Private Investigations® is proud to be Toronto’s First Choice for helping you navigate Spousal, Relationship & Infidelity Investigations with unparalleled Expertise, Empathy, and Discretion. Reach out to our Expert Infidelity Team today for a free consultation.