Where Can You Get the Best Background Checks ? In today's digital age, having access to reliable background checks can be incredibly valuable. Whether you're curious about a new neighbor, considering a potential romantic partner, or verifying the credentials of a childcare provider, a background check can provide peace of mind. But first, let's get on the same page about what background checks are.
Best Option
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SpyFly is everything you could want in a background check service: the pricing is straightforward, the search interface is quick and accurate, and over 1,000 people have given this company a 5-star rating. Even more, SpyFly doesn't make you wade through screen after screen of progress bars or try to draw you in with what "might" be on your target's report. "A" rated by the Better Business Bureau, SpyFly has a reputation we can get behind, and we're pleased to give this background check platform our own perfect score.
Very Good
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Find Out The Truth does background checks that are all handled by a licensed private investigator with at least five years of experience, setting it apart from automated online services. With over 20 years in business and an "A+" rating from the BBB, this company offers a variety of background check options, including international searches and FCRA compliant reports. Prices range from $9.95 to $299.95 per report, and results may even be available same-day. While thorough, Find Out The Truth lacks extensive customer feedback and has minimal social media presence. Although we'd like to see more in that department, we still give Find Out The Truth a high rating as a great option if you need a detailed, professional background check with a la carte pricing and no annoying subscriptions to cancel.
Good
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Since 1994, US Search has worked to connect people with one another, often through reverse address and phone lookups. It's the highest-ranked of the four PeopleConnect platforms on our list, and the least expensive at $19.86/month for unlimited reports. While we're glad that the overall feedback from US Search users is positive, including an "A+" rating from the BBB, we're not convinced that this platform is different enough from its sister sites to earn a higher rating. Check out the higher-ranked background check services on our list before you commit to US Search.
Average
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As one of four services offered under the PeopleConnect umbrella, Intelius is one of the better of that bunch. Initial search results are more accurate than two of its sister platforms, and customer service seems to be more responsive. You'll still have to wade through an unreasonably long process to get to your reports, and many users say you should expect disappointment in the results once you've paid for them. However, an "A+" rating and accreditation from the BBB is enough to keep Intelius off the bottom of the barrel.
Subpar
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PeopleConnect is the company behind four of the background check services on our list, and TruthFinder is one of them. Like its "sisters", this service will lure you in with tempting tidbits that might match the person you're searching for, but users say that the end result is almost always lacking in detail, outdated, or just plain incorrect. While you could take advantage of the 5-day trial for just a dollar, people say that canceling before the subscription automatically kicks in or renews is problematic.
Subpar
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Reputation-wise, InfoTracer is a great option for background checks. You won't find hundreds of people rushing to the BBB to claim that this is a scam: you'll get what you pay for, and lots of users have praise for the helpful, available 24/7 customer service team at this company. However, when it came to the subject of our background check, InfoTracer fell flat on its face when almost every other service on our list correctly identified the individual (and some even found him under both known aliases). You could try InfoTracer for $2.95 and see if it delivers what you need during that one-week trial, but our results (or lack thereof) have resulted in a below-average rating from us.
Subpar
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Spokeo is one of the most user-friendly background check platforms we've found. You won't be bombarded with flashing lights and "Did you know??" messaging here: just enter what you know of who you're searching for, and in just a minute or two, you'll see what Spokeo comes up with. It's really affordable to give it a try, at just $0.95 for a 7-day trial (which includes the report for the person you searched for). But, Spokeo absolutely missed the mark with our test case, when many rival platforms had no problem showing us the right person (and several others with the same name).
Weak
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Instant Checkmate is in the same family of sites as US Search, Intelius, and TruthFinder, but winds up lower on our list. Why? Despite offering an enticing 5-day trial for just $1, this particular platform has earned more than 1,000 one-star reviews, and people say that it's almost impossible to cancel before the trial ends. The reports aren't thorough enough, and the process of even running the initial search can take up to 20 minutes. We've dropped Instant Checkmate even further in our ratings.
Weak
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PeopleFinders used to be one of our favorite background check services. There's no arguing that they've been around a long time (since 1999) and they give you a good preview of each person that might be a match to the one you're researching, including known aliases, relatives, age, and location. But, not only did PeopleFinders fail to identify our test case individual, but it also has a really bad reputation (including an "F" from the Better Business Bureau) for shady billing tactics. We strongly recommend looking at the more reliable background check platforms in our evaluation and skipping PeopleFinders.
Poor
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BeenVerified has been providing background checks for almost 20 years from its headquarters in NYC. In theory, you'll have access to the standard panorama of information here: addresses, criminal records, reverse phone searches, property records, and so on. However, BeenVerified requires you to pay for a week-long trial or a monthly plan before showing you anything they might have about the person you're searching for. Those costs have gone up recently, and many people have complained to the BBB about being roped into a long-term subscription while getting lackluster (or inaccurate) information in the reports. BeenVerified remains at the bottom of our list for background check services.
Continued from above...
In today's digital age, having access to reliable background checks can be incredibly valuable. Whether you're curious about a new neighbor, considering a potential romantic partner, or verifying the credentials of a childcare provider, a background check can provide peace of mind. But first, let's get on the same page about what background checks are.
Background checks are comprehensive reports that compile various public records and data about an individual. These checks can include information such as identity verification (names, aliases, relatives), contact information (current and previous), social media profiles and activity, criminal records, court records, employment history (past and current), and education verification (degrees earned and schools attended).
Accessing these reports has never been easier. There are many services that pull from a wide range of databases, including criminal records, court documents, and public records. The more sources they check, the more accurate and thorough the report will be, and it goes much further than what you'll get with a basic Google search.
But, these searches don't come for free. The cost of running a background check can vary widely depending on the depth of the information and the service provider. Basic checks that include identity verification and contact information can be relatively inexpensive, often ranging from $10 to $30. More comprehensive checks that include criminal records, court documents, and employment history can cost between $50 and $100. Fortunately, many services offer subscription plans, allowing you to run multiple checks per month for one monthly fee (usually under $30).
While background checks can be incredibly useful, there are some common pitfalls to be aware of. First, take results with a grain of salt. Public records can contain errors, and common names can lead to incorrect matches. Always verify critical information through multiple sources if possible. There are also legal limitations to be aware of: the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) restricts the use of background checks for employment, tenant screening, insurance underwriting, and other purposes without explicit permission. Be sure that you are using background checks legally and ethically.
With all of that in mind, are you ready to start digging? Here are some helpful criteria you can use to choose a background check service:
To help you get the right background check service and avoid any potential pitfalls, the super-sleuths at Top Consumer Reviews have tested out some of today's most well-known providers. Investing in a good background check platform can be a worthwhile expense to give you that added peace of mind in your personal and professional life. Now get out there and see what you can find out!
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The Popularity of Background Checks
Daters are doing it. Neighbors are doing it. Even someone you know may be doing it.
So what is the "it" we're referring to here? Background checks.
With the top three online dating websites making background checks a requirement for using their service, the popularity of conducting such searches continues to grow. Even the government is considering tighter background checks for the purchase of firearms as part of a broader package on gun safety.
Not even social media is exempt from the long-reaching arm of the background check. While a person can make their social media accounts private, and be cautious of what they post about themselves, what they cannot control is what other people post about them. Embarrassing photos from last summer's pool party - where you were holding a beer in each hand as you belly-flopped into the pool - easily can surface on someone else's website or social media account. So even if you think you're being discreet, there is always the chance that someone else is not.
We already know that conducting background checks is becoming popular. But what kind of information frequently is sought out during a background check?
It's important to understand that sometimes background checks contain inaccurate and misleading information. This can be incredibly frustrating for someone who may be confused with another person of a similar name who has committed a crime. Just as ordering an annual credit report to check for errors is a good idea; it is advisable to occasionally conduct a background check on yourself for the same purposes.
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