IP address doesnt match submitted location

[Sjj999]

Hi, Trying to understand IPs and locations properly. Should all IPs match location? What if they do not?

I am trying to combat scammers. My website logs members "IPs" when they register and they fill in their "location by name" manually themselves.

Many of the IPs do not match the location, many are even different Continents! (ie IP shows Norway but the text location shows United States).

Which scenarios should I be suspicious of (if their IP address does not match their location)?

1. If they are using a proxy? Suspicious?

2. I have heard that many people in Canada are routed through proxies via their Service Providers? would it still show their exact IP to location as exact?

In short, should I only accept people who's IPs match their location exactly? :/

Can anyone help explain.

Thanks

[enigma1]

It is not something you can rely on and depends what you're using to track IP geolocation. Cross-reference info may not be upto date.

But if you see the inconsistency you could check if the IP is blacklisted for spam or other types of abuse.

[piatkow]

In part it depends how tightly you are trying to use geolocation.

My mobile provider locates all connections at their head office.
An international company that I once worked for ran all traffic through their private network and out onto the web on the other side of the Atlantic to my office.