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Best Background Check Services: Top 5 Online Background Search Websites of 2023
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
Background check services can provide pertinent information about someone, including their contact information, criminal records, social media profiles, arrests, civil judgments, and more. Whether you want to look up a potential date, stop harassing calls, or find a long lost friend, background check sites offer a reliable solution.
But with so many new background check services cropping up regularly, you may have trouble identifying the right one for your needs and budget. We’ve reviewed the best background check sites of 2023 to simplify your search process.
7 Best Background Check Sites
● BeenVerified: Best for public record searches
● TruthFinder: Best for comprehensive background checks
● Intelius: Best for reverse phone searches
● Instant Checkmate: Best for unlimited background searches
● US Search: Best for address searches
● GoodHire: Best for employers
● Spokeo: Best for finding lost friends
Reviews of the Top Background Check Services of 2023
#1. BeenVerified: Best Background Check Site Overall
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
BeenVerified is a background check service that lets you find people, vehicle, property, and contact information through a straightforward, easy-to-use tool. The company was founded in 2007 and is based out of New York City.
BeenVerified includes seven products in one:
● People Search
● Username Search
● Reverse Phone Lookup
● Unclaimed Money Search
● Email Lookup
● Vehicle Lookup
● Address Lookup
When you complete a search through BeenVerified, the company will scour millions of public records to find as much information about the person or contact details as possible.
This company offers one comprehensive membership option, but it isn’t very transparent about its prices. You’ll need to go through the process of signing up for a membership to find out the current monthly cost. According to the FAQ page, BeenVerified often runs special promotions that change its costs.
BeenVerified has a helpful customer service team that can walk you through the background search process or answer any questions you may have. You can contact the customer service hotline any day of the week from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Along with the typical background check information above, the website offers a few additional features. For instance, the new Credit Hub feature allows you to monitor and analyze your credit score. BeenVerified has partnered with TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus, to provide authentic credit score information.
However, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you cannot use BeenVerified as a consumer reporting agency.
This website also includes a wealth of resources to help you stay safe and understand the need for background checks. You can read articles about topics like:
● How to block your phone number
● What is neighbor spoofing?
● How to stop robocalls
● Legal terms everyone should know
If you’re like most people and use your mobile device to do most of your internet browsing, you can use BeenVerified’s convenient mobile app. This app is available for Apple and Android, and you can even download it on your Apple Watch.
This site also makes a point of protecting users’ privacy. You can review the company’s privacy policy for transparent details about how BeenVerified uses your data. You can also trust that the company will not alert the person you are searching about the search.
As one of the best background check sites, BeenVerified makes it easy to complete background checks with one affordable monthly fee.
Click Here to Learn More About BeenVerified
#2. TruthFinder: Great for Criminal Background Checks
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TruthFinder is one of the most popular background check and search tools on the web. This company has been providing people search services since 2015, and today, it offers a comprehensive list of reports and records to help you understand a person’s history thoroughly.
You can request several reports through TruthFinder, including:
● Reverse Phone Lookup
● People Search
● Reverse Address Lookup
● Background Check
● Public Records Search
● Reverse Email Lookup
● Username Lookup
● Dark Web Scan
A Person Report, TruthFinder’s most popular report, contains the following information:
● Personal information
● Contact information
● Location history
● Criminal and traffic records
● Sex offender information
● Social media profiles
● Business profiles
● Licenses
● Finances
● Assets
● Other helpful tips
You can conduct a search on a person even if you have very little information about them to start with. You’ll just need one of the following to begin your search:
● Name
● Address
● Phone number
● Email address
Once you input one of these pieces of information, TruthFinder will scour the deep web and databases to find as much information as possible about your search target.
This website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, so you don’t have to be a tech wizard to uncover information about a person. It also offers a few different membership options, allowing you to only pay for the services you need.
While the company does use a monthly subscription model, you can easily cancel your membership at any time online or over the phone. You can also pay for one or two months of your membership upfront.
People use TruthFinder for many reasons, such as to:
● Reconnect with an estranged family member
● Find old friends
● Research online dates
● Learn more about their neighbors
● Manage their own online reputations
● Keep their families safe
TruthFinder goes beyond a simple background check to provide all of the relevant information you may need to know about a person. However, this website is not suitable for people looking to conduct an employment or professional background check, as it is not a consumer reporting agency.
This company has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is 100% safe for consumers. You won’t need to worry about making your computer vulnerable to hackers or accidentally downloading a virus when you use TruthFinder.
We highly recommend TruthFinder as the best background check site to find detailed, comprehensive information.
Click Here to Learn More About TruthFinder
#3. Intelius: Best for Reverse Phone Lookups
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Intelius is a background check service founded in 2003. This website makes it easy to find specific information about a person quickly, and millions of people use Intelius each month.
With Intelius, you can uncover the following reports:
● Reverse Phone Lookup
● People Search
● Background Check
● Criminal Records Search
● Public Records Search
● Reverse Address Lookup
You can also search the website’s people directory and phone directory.
Intelius offers monthly subscriptions and add-on services. The monthly memberships include the following:
● People Search
● Reverse Phone Lookup + People Search
● Address Lookup + People Search
You can begin your monthly membership with a week-long trial for less than $1. You can add downloadable report files to your membership for a one-time fee. Intelius also offers an identity protection service for a monthly subscription.
As defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you should not use Intelius to uncover consumer reports. If you want to complete an employment background check, the company recommends using GoodHire instead.
Intelius also makes it easy to control the data the website has about you. Intelius accesses public records to find information for a person’s background check. While it can’t delete public records from the internet, it does make it easy to delete the data Intelius maintains about you in its interface.
You can visit the website’s Privacy Center page to:
● Request a free report of the user information Intelius holds about you, such as your interactions with the website
● Exclude your email address from Intelius’s affiliate program
● Correct any information Intelius holds about you
● Request to delete information Intelius maintains about you
All searches you complete with Intelius are completely safe and confidential. The search subject will not receive any notifications that you searched for them. With your membership, you can complete unlimited searches, allowing you to:
● Review your own background check
● Find old friends or lost family members
● Review property data for a house you want to purchase
● Find out who has been calling you
Intelius has an A+ BBB rating and an excellent reputation among customers. The company also makes it easy to cancel your membership online or by phone. If you’re not satisfied with your membership plan for any reason, you can request a refund.
Overall, Intelius is the best background check service for people who value a privacy-centered process and unlimited reports.
Click Here to Learn More About Intelius
#4. Instant Checkmate: Recommended for Unlimited Background Searches
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
Instant Checkmate is a public records search service with over 70,000 5-star reviews from real customers. Users have completed over 1.4 billion searches on Instant Checkmate, and the company has earned an A+ BBB rating.
You can complete the following searches through this platform:
● People Search
● Criminal Records Search
● Reverse Phone Lookup
● Inmate Search
Start by entering a person’s first and last name and city, then click the “search” button to begin your search. Instant Checkmate will take you to a page where you can sign up for your membership and complete your background check.
The background check company offers a few different membership options depending on your needs. You can pay for a comprehensive membership that includes complete person reports, or pay a smaller monthly fee for just phone reports. You can also add downloadable report files and dark web monitoring to your membership for additional fees.
Your membership will provide you with standard reports, but you can upgrade to a premium report for an extra fee as well. Premium reports contain more in-depth information about a person, such as:
● Corporate affiliations
● Foreclosures
● Old phone numbers
● Weapons permits
● Tax liens
● Voter registration
● UCC filings
The background check company has an excellent member care team available to assist you with your background checks. It also provides charitable contributions to Together We Bake, a nonprofit that helps women in need of a second chance enter the workforce.
Instant Checkmate will not alert the person you’re searching that you’ve searched for them, and it protects all searches with a 256-bit encrypted connection. You can feel confident that your user data will be safe on this site.
This background check service is also available through a mobile app. Currently, the app is only available through the Google Play store.
You can visit the company’s Crimewire News Blog for tips and guidance to keep your family safe in the digital age, while the company’s Dialed In blog provides valuable information about phone scams and other phone-related resources.
We recommend Instant Checkmate as one of the best background check services in the industry.
Click Here to Learn More About Instant Checkmate
#5. US Search: Most Popular People Search Website
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
US Search is a background check site that has been in business since 1993. Back then, the company offered a way for the public to find long-lost family members and friends. Today, the site makes it easy to find a wide range of public records.
US Search is a great website to use to reconnect with old friends, find out who is calling you, and build your contacts. You’ll gain access to addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information.
US Search also has a Pro tool for legal professionals and those who want to research a person’s criminal history. With this tool, you can discover a person’s:
● Social media accounts
● Employment history
● Financial information (like bankruptcies or civil judgments)
● Property value
● Previously owned properties
● Criminal records
● Traffic violations
● And more
US Search Pro comes with a monthly or yearly subscription plan. You can save money on your per-month costs by purchasing the yearly plan. You can cancel your service at any time.
The Pro tool is closer to the other background check services on our list, as it provides unlimited reports and a wide range of information about someone’s criminal history and identity.
The company’s basic service is more affordable than most other background check sites on our list, allowing you to save some money if you just want to complete simple searches. You can gain some information for free, but you’ll need to make an account for more details.
The US Search customer support team is available to help you complete your background check. You can call the team Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST or email [email protected].
We recommend US Search as the best background check service for those wanting a simple or in-depth background search — with a price that matches.
Click Here to Learn More About US Search
#6. GoodHire: Top Background Check Site for Employers
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
GoodHire is a background check service for employers. Most online background check services don’t allow you to use their services to make employment decisions, which is why it’s important to look for a company like GoodHire specifically designed for this purpose.
More than 100,000 employers have used GoodHire to complete employment background checks. This website is easy to use and provides all the information you may need to make an employment decision. It is also Fair Credit Reporting Act-certified.
GoodHire provides a wide range of valuable information as part of its background checks and screening services. You can obtain the following information:
● Employment verification
● Driving records
● Professional reference checks
● Drug screenings
● Social media
● Civil court checks
● Credit checks
● Criminal background checks
● Education verification
● Healthcare sanctions checks
● International background checks
Because this company works specifically with businesses, it offers discounts for high-volume checks. You can use this platform as your go-to service for all future employee background checks.
GoodHire also makes it easy to complete a custom background check. If you need to find specific information about a person, you’ll have no trouble with this easy-to-use interface.
Every state has different laws and regulations about how to conduct background checks, but GoodHire will partner with you every step of the way to make sure you stay compliant. You can contact the customer support team with any questions and review background check laws by state on the GoodHire website.
GoodHire offers fast turnaround times, ensuring that your employment verification doesn’t disrupt your hiring process. The company offers three different monthly subscription packages, allowing you to only pay for what you need.
You can also run personal background checks through GoodHire. For instance, if you’d like potential candidates to complete their own background checks as part of the hiring process, you can invite them to follow the steps on the GoodHire platform and share their results with you.
For personal background checks, GoodHire uses an identity verification process to ensure that the person running the check is the person in the search.
Overall, we recommend GoodHire as the best background check site for employers.
Click Here to Learn More About GoodHire
#7. Spokeo: Great for Address, Phone, and Email Searches
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
Spokeo is a reliable background check service that searches billions of public records to find valuable information for its users. The company began as a social network aggregator in 2006, then transitioned into a people search engine in 2010.
Customers use Spokeo to find the following information:
● Contact information
● Criminal records history
● Location history
● Personal details
● Wealth data
● Family and associates
● Social media accounts
Spokeo has a unique feature that allows you to receive updates on any contacts you have searched for in the past as long as you maintain your Spokeo membership. If any new information arises about these people, you’ll receive an email with the up-to-date information.
This company has an award-winning customer support team that provides compassionate, dedicated assistance for customers. The company is available Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. (PST) to provide any assistance you may need.
Spokeo also goes above and beyond to provide charitable and philanthropic services. The company is committed to using its platform to help adoptees find their birth parents. It also donates accounts to nonprofits that can further their causes by using the Spokeo background check site.
Spokeo has a few different subscription tiers, allowing you to customize your membership to your needs. You can upgrade or downgrade your subscription at any time on your Account Settings page.
This company also has a unique social media tool called Spokeo Connections that allows you to view all of the information from your friends’ social media profiles on a single page. If you already have a Spokeo membership, you can try Connections for 30 days.
You can get started with your first search on Spokeo by entering a person’s name, email, phone number, or address, and clicking “Search Now.” Spokeo will walk you through the sign-up process and display your results within minutes.
We recommend Spokeo as the best background check service for anyone looking for accurate and detailed information on another person.
Click Here to Learn More About Spokeo
What is a Background Check Service?
A background check service is an online platform that allows you to search public records for comprehensive information about a person. These platforms can help you find a person’s contact information or get to know their past better before letting them into your life.
Comprehensive background checks can provide you with any of the following information about a person:
● Contact details (address, phone number, email address, etc.)
● Social media accounts
● Criminal records and overall criminal history
● Court records
● Employment history
● Property records
● Education history
● Professional licenses
● Motor vehicle history
● Credit history
● Marriage and divorce records
Any information that is public record could show up in a background check. Instead of needing to search public records individually, you can use one of the background check services on our list to compile this information for you in an easy-to-read format.
Background check services don’t just look on Google and other popular search engines to find information. They scour the deep web to uncover hidden information that may not be readily available to most consumers.
If you don’t feel comfortable searching the deep web, don’t know how, or simply want to save time, background check sites can provide an excellent solution. These sites are completely legal and safe, and they can give you peace of mind about a person’s past.
How to Choose The Best Background Check Site
Taking time to review the different background check services on the internet can improve your experience. You can make sure the site you choose offers the information you’re looking for and suits your budget. You can also feel confident that it will protect your privacy and safety during your search.
While any of the top seven background check services on our list would be an excellent choice, you can use the following parameters to find a reliable service:
Information Available
Not every background check site shows the same information about the person you’re searching for. Make sure you review the types of information a service offers before paying for a membership.
For instance, some background check sites focus more on contact information, such as a person’s:
● Current address
● Previous addresses
● Phone numbers
● Email addresses
● Usernames
● Social media profiles
Others obtain more specific information, such as a person’s:
● Property records
● Criminal history
● Court records
● Employment history
If you want to find out as much as possible about someone, look for the best background check services that offer comprehensive background checks with all of the above information. You may also prefer a site that sends updates when any new information appears in public records.
Membership Costs
The best background check services are not free, and most charge on a monthly basis instead of through a one-time fee. If you just want to complete a single background check, you’ll probably prefer a company with a free or low-cost trial period.
If you plan to use a background check site long-term, look for one that allows you to pay for several months in advance and reduce your cost per month.
Number of Searches Included
Many people sign up for a background check service because they want to complete a single search on a person they’re interested in learning more about. If this is true for you, you probably won’t care whether a site offers unlimited searches.
However, if you plan to search for a large number of people, or you think you’ll need to complete more searches down the road, make sure you choose a site offering unlimited background checks. Some sites cap your searches at 10 or 15 per month.
Customer Reviews
Be sure to read customer reviews before paying for a background check service. You don’t want to spend money on a service only to find that it doesn’t actually provide accurate background checks.
You can read customer reviews on websites like the Better Business Bureau, TrustPilot, and Google. If a company has a lot of negative reviews, you may want to search for a different option.
You can also look for a company’s accreditations, such as from the National Association of Professional Background Screeners.
Privacy and Safety
The best background check sites value your privacy and safety. They take extra measures to ensure that your user data stays secure within the site.
Some background check services feel sketchy, and you may worry that they will download a virus onto your computer. As you search for the right service, look for one that:
● Advertises that it will not tell the person you’re searching for that you searched for them
● Has a comprehensive privacy policy
● Uses encryption to protect your data
● Allows you to opt out of its data collection process
Keep in mind that these privacy policies refer to the user data a service has collected about you through the sign-up process. They don’t include the public records the service has discovered about you.
Types of Background Checks
Background check sites offer different types of background checks for consumers. The most common include the following.
Criminal Background Checks
Whether you want to find out more about a potential date or you’re suspicious of a new neighbor, completing a criminal background check can help you uncover someone’s criminal history. A criminal background check can provide you with:
● Arrest records
● Criminal history records
● Mug shots
● Court records related to an individual’s criminal history
● Any other available criminal records
You can use a criminal background check site to gain peace of mind that a new person in your life is safe — or find out early on that they are not.
Employee Background Check
You can also use certain background check sites to complete an employee background check as part of your hiring process.
Most of the background check services on our list — aside from GoodHire— specify that they are not consumer reporting agencies as outlined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Websites with this disclaimer are not suitable for employee background checks. You can use these services for personal use to learn about a person’s employment history and other pertinent information.
If you want to complete a background check as part of an employment hiring process, make sure you use a site like GoodHire that is FCRA-certified and is a legal consumer reporting agency.
Identity Verification
Do you want to make sure someone is who they say they are? An identity verification can help you discover whether the details a person has provided about themself are true. These searches can uncover a person’s:
● Address
● Phone number
● Social media pages
● Email address
More in-depth identity verifications can show you:
● Credit history
● Education history
● Professional licenses
These background checks are popular among people who believe they are being “catfished.” If you suspect someone is lying to you, verifying their identity with the best background check sites can help you uncover the truth.
Reverse Phone and Email Lookup
Many background check services have a reverse phone lookup feature that helps you identify who owns the phone number you received a call from. This feature can be helpful if:
● You’ve gotten numerous calls from the same number
● Someone is texting you and refusing to state their name
● You think someone is scamming you by using a phone number that doesn’t belong to them
Some sites also offer this feature for emails, but email addresses may be harder to match with a name.
Keep in mind that in this digital age, people can create new phone numbers using Google Voice and similar platforms. In these cases, many reverse phone lookups will specify that the number is a Google Voice number but not say who created it.
Sex Offender Registry
If you’re moving to a new area or want to run a background check on a suspicious new person in your life, checking the sex offender registry doesn’t hurt. Background check reports often include information about whether a person is a registered sex offender.
You can also complete sex offender checks for specific areas, such as a one-mile radius around your new house.
What Are Background Checks Mostly Used For?
Most people use background check sites for personal reasons — they simply want to find out more information about a person. However, these sites have numerous uses that many people don’t think about. Here are just a few of the many ways you can use an online background check service.
● Find long-lost relatives
● Get in touch with old friends
● Find out whether a new friend has a criminal record
● Discover more about a person you’re dating
● Track down new homeowners for business leads
● Find criminals or sex offenders in your neighborhood
● Make sure your friend is who they say they are
● Review credit history before accepting a new tenant
● Find the person a phone number belongs to
Frequently Asked Questions on Background Check Sites
What information is included in a personal background check?
The amount of information you receive in online background checks depends on the platform and your membership. In general, the best background check sites can provide you with the following:
● Contact details
● Criminal records
● Court records
● Credit history
● Driving history
● Education verification
● Social media profiles
Any information that is public record is fair game for background check companies.
How much do background check websites charge?
Background check services cost anywhere from $10 to $60 per month depending on the service. Some also offer add-on services for additional fees.
Do any companies offer one-time background checks?
Yes, some companies do offer one-time background checks. However, this isn’t a common practice among legitimate background check companies.
You can find background check sites that offer free trials for a designated period or enable you to complete one background check for free. You’ll likely still need to create an account to use these sites.
If any free background check sites require you to input your credit card information, you can assume they will charge you for the service. If you’re looking for a service that is completely free, choose one that doesn’t require any payment information.
How accurate are public record searches?
Background checks are as accurate as the public records they’re referencing. While most records were accurate at the time of their creation, they could now be outdated, providing inaccurate information about a person’s current situation.
For instance, you may find phone lookups that provide the name of a person who previously had that phone number. Phone searches could also come back with the name of a person’s parent, as they are the one who technically owns the phone.
How long does it take for a comprehensive background check?
The best background check sites can provide a detailed report within minutes of inputting a person’s contact details. Often, the longest part of the process is creating an account and providing your payment information.
Final Thoughts on Background Check Sites
Background check services have numerous uses. Whether you’re trying to uncover a person’s criminal record or want to match a phone number with a name, you can run a background check using one of the reliable services on our list.
The sites above all offer accurate background check information, user-friendly interfaces, and numerous search parameters, allowing you to quickly find everything you want to know about a person. Sign up for one of these sites today to gain peace of mind about a new person in your life.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Best Background Check Services: Top 5 Online Background Search Websites of 2023
Best Background Check Services: Top 5 Online Background Search Websites of 2023
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
Background check services can provide pertinent information about someone, including their contact information, criminal records, social media profiles, arrests, civil judgments, and more. Whether you want to look up a potential date, stop harassing calls, or find a long lost friend, background check sites offer a reliable solution.
But with so many new background check services cropping up regularly, you may have trouble identifying the right one for your needs and budget. We’ve reviewed the best background check sites of 2023 to simplify your search process.
7 Best Background Check Sites
● BeenVerified: Best for public record searches
● TruthFinder: Best for comprehensive background checks
● Intelius: Best for reverse phone searches
● Instant Checkmate: Best for unlimited background searches
● US Search: Best for address searches
● GoodHire: Best for employers
● Spokeo: Best for finding lost friends
Reviews of the Top Background Check Services of 2023
#1. BeenVerified: Best Background Check Site Overall
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
BeenVerified is a background check service that lets you find people, vehicle, property, and contact information through a straightforward, easy-to-use tool. The company was founded in 2007 and is based out of New York City.
BeenVerified includes seven products in one:
● People Search
● Username Search
● Reverse Phone Lookup
● Unclaimed Money Search
● Email Lookup
● Vehicle Lookup
● Address Lookup
When you complete a search through BeenVerified, the company will scour millions of public records to find as much information about the person or contact details as possible.
This company offers one comprehensive membership option, but it isn’t very transparent about its prices. You’ll need to go through the process of signing up for a membership to find out the current monthly cost. According to the FAQ page, BeenVerified often runs special promotions that change its costs.
BeenVerified has a helpful customer service team that can walk you through the background search process or answer any questions you may have. You can contact the customer service hotline any day of the week from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Along with the typical background check information above, the website offers a few additional features. For instance, the new Credit Hub feature allows you to monitor and analyze your credit score. BeenVerified has partnered with TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus, to provide authentic credit score information.
However, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you cannot use BeenVerified as a consumer reporting agency.
This website also includes a wealth of resources to help you stay safe and understand the need for background checks. You can read articles about topics like:
● How to block your phone number
● What is neighbor spoofing?
● How to stop robocalls
● Legal terms everyone should know
If you’re like most people and use your mobile device to do most of your internet browsing, you can use BeenVerified’s convenient mobile app. This app is available for Apple and Android, and you can even download it on your Apple Watch.
This site also makes a point of protecting users’ privacy. You can review the company’s privacy policy for transparent details about how BeenVerified uses your data. You can also trust that the company will not alert the person you are searching about the search.
As one of the best background check sites, BeenVerified makes it easy to complete background checks with one affordable monthly fee.
Click Here to Learn More About BeenVerified
#2. TruthFinder: Great for Criminal Background Checks
SPONSORED CONTENT Best Background Check Sites
TruthFinder is one of the most popular background check and search tools on the web. This company has been providing people search services since 2015, and today, it offers a comprehensive list of reports and records to help you understand a person’s history thoroughly.
You can request several reports through TruthFinder, including:
● Reverse Phone Lookup
● People Search
● Reverse Address Lookup
● Background Check
● Public Records Search
● Reverse Email Lookup
● Username Lookup
● Dark Web Scan
A Person Report, TruthFinder’s most popular report, contains the following information:
● Personal information
● Contact information
● Location history
● Criminal and traffic records
● Sex offender information
● Social media profiles
● Business profiles
● Licenses
● Finances
● Assets
● Other helpful tips
You can conduct a search on a person even if you have very little information about them to start with. You’ll just need one of the following to begin your search:
● Name
● Address
● Phone number
● Email address
Once you input one of these pieces of information, TruthFinder will scour the deep web and databases to find as much information as possible about your search target.
This website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, so you don’t have to be a tech wizard to uncover information about a person. It also offers a few different membership options, allowing you to only pay for the services you need.
While the company does use a monthly subscription model, you can easily cancel your membership at any time online or over the phone. You can also pay for one or two months of your membership upfront.
People use TruthFinder for many reasons, such as to:
● Reconnect with an estranged family member
● Find old friends
● Research online dates
● Learn more about their neighbors
● Manage their own online reputations
● Keep their families safe
TruthFinder goes beyond a simple background check to provide all of the relevant information you may need to know about a person. However, this website is not suitable for people looking to conduct an employment or professional background check, as it is not a consumer reporting agency.
This company has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is 100% safe for consumers. You won’t need to worry about making your computer vulnerable to hackers or accidentally downloading a virus when you use TruthFinder.
We highly recommend TruthFinder as the best background check site to find detailed, comprehensive information.
Click Here to Learn More About TruthFinder
#3. Intelius: Best for Reverse Phone Lookups
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Intelius is a background check service founded in 2003. This website makes it easy to find specific information about a person quickly, and millions of people use Intelius each month.
With Intelius, you can uncover the following reports:
● Reverse Phone Lookup
● People Search
● Background Check
● Criminal Records Search
● Public Records Search
● Reverse Address Lookup
You can also search the website’s people directory and phone directory.
Intelius offers monthly subscriptions and add-on services. The monthly memberships include the following:
● People Search
● Reverse Phone Lookup + People Search
● Address Lookup + People Search
You can begin your monthly membership with a week-long trial for less than $1. You can add downloadable report files to your membership for a one-time fee. Intelius also offers an identity protection service for a monthly subscription.
As defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you should not use Intelius to uncover consumer reports. If you want to complete an employment background check, the company recommends using GoodHire instead.
Intelius also makes it easy to control the data the website has about you. Intelius accesses public records to find information for a person’s background check. While it can’t delete public records from the internet, it does make it easy to delete the data Intelius maintains about you in its interface.
You can visit the website’s Privacy Center page to:
● Request a free report of the user information Intelius holds about you, such as your interactions with the website
● Exclude your email address from Intelius’s affiliate program
● Correct any information Intelius holds about you
● Request to delete information Intelius maintains about you
All searches you complete with Intelius are completely safe and confidential. The search subject will not receive any notifications that you searched for them. With your membership, you can complete unlimited searches, allowing you to:
● Review your own background check
● Find old friends or lost family members
● Review property data for a house you want to purchase
● Find out who has been calling you
Intelius has an A+ BBB rating and an excellent reputation among customers. The company also makes it easy to cancel your membership online or by phone. If you’re not satisfied with your membership plan for any reason, you can request a refund.
Overall, Intelius is the best background check service for people who value a privacy-centered process and unlimited reports.
Click Here to Learn More About Intelius
#4. Instant Checkmate: Recommended for Unlimited Background Searches
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Instant Checkmate is a public records search service with over 70,000 5-star reviews from real customers. Users have completed over 1.4 billion searches on Instant Checkmate, and the company has earned an A+ BBB rating.
You can complete the following searches through this platform:
● People Search
● Criminal Records Search
● Reverse Phone Lookup
● Inmate Search
Start by entering a person’s first and last name and city, then click the “search” button to begin your search. Instant Checkmate will take you to a page where you can sign up for your membership and complete your background check.
The background check company offers a few different membership options depending on your needs. You can pay for a comprehensive membership that includes complete person reports, or pay a smaller monthly fee for just phone reports. You can also add downloadable report files and dark web monitoring to your membership for additional fees.
Your membership will provide you with standard reports, but you can upgrade to a premium report for an extra fee as well. Premium reports contain more in-depth information about a person, such as:
● Corporate affiliations
● Foreclosures
● Old phone numbers
● Weapons permits
● Tax liens
● Voter registration
● UCC filings
The background check company has an excellent member care team available to assist you with your background checks. It also provides charitable contributions to Together We Bake, a nonprofit that helps women in need of a second chance enter the workforce.
Instant Checkmate will not alert the person you’re searching that you’ve searched for them, and it protects all searches with a 256-bit encrypted connection. You can feel confident that your user data will be safe on this site.
This background check service is also available through a mobile app. Currently, the app is only available through the Google Play store.
You can visit the company’s Crimewire News Blog for tips and guidance to keep your family safe in the digital age, while the company’s Dialed In blog provides valuable information about phone scams and other phone-related resources.
We recommend Instant Checkmate as one of the best background check services in the industry.
Click Here to Learn More About Instant Checkmate
#5. US Search: Most Popular People Search Website
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US Search is a background check site that has been in business since 1993. Back then, the company offered a way for the public to find long-lost family members and friends. Today, the site makes it easy to find a wide range of public records.
US Search is a great website to use to reconnect with old friends, find out who is calling you, and build your contacts. You’ll gain access to addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information.
US Search also has a Pro tool for legal professionals and those who want to research a person’s criminal history. With this tool, you can discover a person’s:
● Social media accounts
● Employment history
● Financial information (like bankruptcies or civil judgments)
● Property value
● Previously owned properties
● Criminal records
● Traffic violations
● And more
US Search Pro comes with a monthly or yearly subscription plan. You can save money on your per-month costs by purchasing the yearly plan. You can cancel your service at any time.
The Pro tool is closer to the other background check services on our list, as it provides unlimited reports and a wide range of information about someone’s criminal history and identity.
The company’s basic service is more affordable than most other background check sites on our list, allowing you to save some money if you just want to complete simple searches. You can gain some information for free, but you’ll need to make an account for more details.
The US Search customer support team is available to help you complete your background check. You can call the team Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST or email [email protected].
We recommend US Search as the best background check service for those wanting a simple or in-depth background search — with a price that matches.
Click Here to Learn More About US Search
#6. GoodHire: Top Background Check Site for Employers
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GoodHire is a background check service for employers. Most online background check services don’t allow you to use their services to make employment decisions, which is why it’s important to look for a company like GoodHire specifically designed for this purpose.
More than 100,000 employers have used GoodHire to complete employment background checks. This website is easy to use and provides all the information you may need to make an employment decision. It is also Fair Credit Reporting Act-certified.
GoodHire provides a wide range of valuable information as part of its background checks and screening services. You can obtain the following information:
● Employment verification
● Driving records
● Professional reference checks
● Drug screenings
● Social media
● Civil court checks
● Credit checks
● Criminal background checks
● Education verification
● Healthcare sanctions checks
● International background checks
Because this company works specifically with businesses, it offers discounts for high-volume checks. You can use this platform as your go-to service for all future employee background checks.
GoodHire also makes it easy to complete a custom background check. If you need to find specific information about a person, you’ll have no trouble with this easy-to-use interface.
Every state has different laws and regulations about how to conduct background checks, but GoodHire will partner with you every step of the way to make sure you stay compliant. You can contact the customer support team with any questions and review background check laws by state on the GoodHire website.
GoodHire offers fast turnaround times, ensuring that your employment verification doesn’t disrupt your hiring process. The company offers three different monthly subscription packages, allowing you to only pay for what you need.
You can also run personal background checks through GoodHire. For instance, if you’d like potential candidates to complete their own background checks as part of the hiring process, you can invite them to follow the steps on the GoodHire platform and share their results with you.
For personal background checks, GoodHire uses an identity verification process to ensure that the person running the check is the person in the search.
Overall, we recommend GoodHire as the best background check site for employers.
Click Here to Learn More About GoodHire
#7. Spokeo: Great for Address, Phone, and Email Searches
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Spokeo is a reliable background check service that searches billions of public records to find valuable information for its users. The company began as a social network aggregator in 2006, then transitioned into a people search engine in 2010.
Customers use Spokeo to find the following information:
● Contact information
● Criminal records history
● Location history
● Personal details
● Wealth data
● Family and associates
● Social media accounts
Spokeo has a unique feature that allows you to receive updates on any contacts you have searched for in the past as long as you maintain your Spokeo membership. If any new information arises about these people, you’ll receive an email with the up-to-date information.
This company has an award-winning customer support team that provides compassionate, dedicated assistance for customers. The company is available Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. (PST) to provide any assistance you may need.
Spokeo also goes above and beyond to provide charitable and philanthropic services. The company is committed to using its platform to help adoptees find their birth parents. It also donates accounts to nonprofits that can further their causes by using the Spokeo background check site.
Spokeo has a few different subscription tiers, allowing you to customize your membership to your needs. You can upgrade or downgrade your subscription at any time on your Account Settings page.
This company also has a unique social media tool called Spokeo Connections that allows you to view all of the information from your friends’ social media profiles on a single page. If you already have a Spokeo membership, you can try Connections for 30 days.
You can get started with your first search on Spokeo by entering a person’s name, email, phone number, or address, and clicking “Search Now.” Spokeo will walk you through the sign-up process and display your results within minutes.
We recommend Spokeo as the best background check service for anyone looking for accurate and detailed information on another person.
Click Here to Learn More About Spokeo
What is a Background Check Service?
A background check service is an online platform that allows you to search public records for comprehensive information about a person. These platforms can help you find a person’s contact information or get to know their past better before letting them into your life.
Comprehensive background checks can provide you with any of the following information about a person:
● Contact details (address, phone number, email address, etc.)
● Social media accounts
● Criminal records and overall criminal history
● Court records
● Employment history
● Property records
● Education history
● Professional licenses
● Motor vehicle history
● Credit history
● Marriage and divorce records
Any information that is public record could show up in a background check. Instead of needing to search public records individually, you can use one of the background check services on our list to compile this information for you in an easy-to-read format.
Background check services don’t just look on Google and other popular search engines to find information. They scour the deep web to uncover hidden information that may not be readily available to most consumers.
If you don’t feel comfortable searching the deep web, don’t know how, or simply want to save time, background check sites can provide an excellent solution. These sites are completely legal and safe, and they can give you peace of mind about a person’s past.
How to Choose The Best Background Check Site
Taking time to review the different background check services on the internet can improve your experience. You can make sure the site you choose offers the information you’re looking for and suits your budget. You can also feel confident that it will protect your privacy and safety during your search.
While any of the top seven background check services on our list would be an excellent choice, you can use the following parameters to find a reliable service:
Information Available
Not every background check site shows the same information about the person you’re searching for. Make sure you review the types of information a service offers before paying for a membership.
For instance, some background check sites focus more on contact information, such as a person’s:
● Current address
● Previous addresses
● Phone numbers
● Email addresses
● Usernames
● Social media profiles
Others obtain more specific information, such as a person’s:
● Property records
● Criminal history
● Court records
● Employment history
If you want to find out as much as possible about someone, look for the best background check services that offer comprehensive background checks with all of the above information. You may also prefer a site that sends updates when any new information appears in public records.
Membership Costs
The best background check services are not free, and most charge on a monthly basis instead of through a one-time fee. If you just want to complete a single background check, you’ll probably prefer a company with a free or low-cost trial period.
If you plan to use a background check site long-term, look for one that allows you to pay for several months in advance and reduce your cost per month.
Number of Searches Included
Many people sign up for a background check service because they want to complete a single search on a person they’re interested in learning more about. If this is true for you, you probably won’t care whether a site offers unlimited searches.
However, if you plan to search for a large number of people, or you think you’ll need to complete more searches down the road, make sure you choose a site offering unlimited background checks. Some sites cap your searches at 10 or 15 per month.
Customer Reviews
Be sure to read customer reviews before paying for a background check service. You don’t want to spend money on a service only to find that it doesn’t actually provide accurate background checks.
You can read customer reviews on websites like the Better Business Bureau, TrustPilot, and Google. If a company has a lot of negative reviews, you may want to search for a different option.
You can also look for a company’s accreditations, such as from the National Association of Professional Background Screeners.
Privacy and Safety
The best background check sites value your privacy and safety. They take extra measures to ensure that your user data stays secure within the site.
Some background check services feel sketchy, and you may worry that they will download a virus onto your computer. As you search for the right service, look for one that:
● Advertises that it will not tell the person you’re searching for that you searched for them
● Has a comprehensive privacy policy
● Uses encryption to protect your data
● Allows you to opt out of its data collection process
Keep in mind that these privacy policies refer to the user data a service has collected about you through the sign-up process. They don’t include the public records the service has discovered about you.
Types of Background Checks
Background check sites offer different types of background checks for consumers. The most common include the following.
Criminal Background Checks
Whether you want to find out more about a potential date or you’re suspicious of a new neighbor, completing a criminal background check can help you uncover someone’s criminal history. A criminal background check can provide you with:
● Arrest records
● Criminal history records
● Mug shots
● Court records related to an individual’s criminal history
● Any other available criminal records
You can use a criminal background check site to gain peace of mind that a new person in your life is safe — or find out early on that they are not.
Employee Background Check
You can also use certain background check sites to complete an employee background check as part of your hiring process.
Most of the background check services on our list — aside from GoodHire— specify that they are not consumer reporting agencies as outlined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Websites with this disclaimer are not suitable for employee background checks. You can use these services for personal use to learn about a person’s employment history and other pertinent information.
If you want to complete a background check as part of an employment hiring process, make sure you use a site like GoodHire that is FCRA-certified and is a legal consumer reporting agency.
Identity Verification
Do you want to make sure someone is who they say they are? An identity verification can help you discover whether the details a person has provided about themself are true. These searches can uncover a person’s:
● Address
● Phone number
● Social media pages
● Email address
More in-depth identity verifications can show you:
● Credit history
● Education history
● Professional licenses
These background checks are popular among people who believe they are being “catfished.” If you suspect someone is lying to you, verifying their identity with the best background check sites can help you uncover the truth.
Reverse Phone and Email Lookup
Many background check services have a reverse phone lookup feature that helps you identify who owns the phone number you received a call from. This feature can be helpful if:
● You’ve gotten numerous calls from the same number
● Someone is texting you and refusing to state their name
● You think someone is scamming you by using a phone number that doesn’t belong to them
Some sites also offer this feature for emails, but email addresses may be harder to match with a name.
Keep in mind that in this digital age, people can create new phone numbers using Google Voice and similar platforms. In these cases, many reverse phone lookups will specify that the number is a Google Voice number but not say who created it.
Sex Offender Registry
If you’re moving to a new area or want to run a background check on a suspicious new person in your life, checking the sex offender registry doesn’t hurt. Background check reports often include information about whether a person is a registered sex offender.
You can also complete sex offender checks for specific areas, such as a one-mile radius around your new house.
What Are Background Checks Mostly Used For?
Most people use background check sites for personal reasons — they simply want to find out more information about a person. However, these sites have numerous uses that many people don’t think about. Here are just a few of the many ways you can use an online background check service.
● Find long-lost relatives
● Get in touch with old friends
● Find out whether a new friend has a criminal record
● Discover more about a person you’re dating
● Track down new homeowners for business leads
● Find criminals or sex offenders in your neighborhood
● Make sure your friend is who they say they are
● Review credit history before accepting a new tenant
● Find the person a phone number belongs to
Frequently Asked Questions on Background Check Sites
What information is included in a personal background check?
The amount of information you receive in online background checks depends on the platform and your membership. In general, the best background check sites can provide you with the following:
● Contact details
● Criminal records
● Court records
● Credit history
● Driving history
● Education verification
● Social media profiles
Any information that is public record is fair game for background check companies.
How much do background check websites charge?
Background check services cost anywhere from $10 to $60 per month depending on the service. Some also offer add-on services for additional fees.
Do any companies offer one-time background checks?
Yes, some companies do offer one-time background checks. However, this isn’t a common practice among legitimate background check companies.
You can find background check sites that offer free trials for a designated period or enable you to complete one background check for free. You’ll likely still need to create an account to use these sites.
If any free background check sites require you to input your credit card information, you can assume they will charge you for the service. If you’re looking for a service that is completely free, choose one that doesn’t require any payment information.
How accurate are public record searches?
Background checks are as accurate as the public records they’re referencing. While most records were accurate at the time of their creation, they could now be outdated, providing inaccurate information about a person’s current situation.
For instance, you may find phone lookups that provide the name of a person who previously had that phone number. Phone searches could also come back with the name of a person’s parent, as they are the one who technically owns the phone.
How long does it take for a comprehensive background check?
The best background check sites can provide a detailed report within minutes of inputting a person’s contact details. Often, the longest part of the process is creating an account and providing your payment information.
Final Thoughts on Background Check Sites
Background check services have numerous uses. Whether you’re trying to uncover a person’s criminal record or want to match a phone number with a name, you can run a background check using one of the reliable services on our list.
The sites above all offer accurate background check information, user-friendly interfaces, and numerous search parameters, allowing you to quickly find everything you want to know about a person. Sign up for one of these sites today to gain peace of mind about a new person in your life.
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