Fortunately, you can take preventative measures to avoid becoming a fraud statistic. Online background checks can give you peace of mind that your trusted contacts aren’t lying. These background checks also have a variety of uses, from contacting missing relatives to identifying scammers or investigating a potential date.
But how do you know which provider is best for your needs? We’ve reviewed and compared the 10 best online background check sites and companies to help you uncover the truth you’re looking for.
Our Top 10 Best Online Background Check Sites and Companies:
- BeenVerified: Best overall background check site
- Intelius: Best for quick access to detailed reports
- PeopleFinders: Best for access to billions of public records
- USSearch: Best for unlimited reports
- PeopleWhiz: Best for accurate reports
- TruthFinder: Best for people searches
- PeopleLooker: Best for junk money searches
- CheckPeople: Best for Criminal Background Checks
- Instant Checker: Best for Reverse Phone Lookups
- ID True: Best for Background Checks
Our Review Methodology: Evaluating the Best Background Check Sites & Services
We used the same seven comparison factors to give fair ratings to each of the 10 background check services listed in this review. However, some factors will be more important to you than others, depending on your needs and the type of search you’re doing. Below, we show you how we compare these details for what we consider to be the best background check sites.
- Price: We considered the service’s affordability and value for money. We also considered free trials and available promotional periods. Legal Status: We verified that the site complies with the FCRA and can be used for employment, housing, or other federally regulated purposes.
Recommended Reports: We checked which services offered people searches (including criminal background checks and public records, as well as unsolicited money searches), business searches, and reverse phone, email, and address searches.
Search parameters: We looked at the number of search parameters offered by the service. We also checked whether it supports social media username searches, people searches, reverse phone number and email searches, and property searches.
Smartphone apps: We checked whether the service has a smartphone app, and if so, how useful it is. Ease of use: We rated each service’s usability and the readability of its reports. We also checked whether it supports additional features that set it apart.
Customer support: We rated the number of support channels, their hours of operation, and the helpfulness of customer service. Best Background Check Sites and Services – Quick Reviews.
BeenVerified
The Best Background Check Sites & Services – Quick Reviews:
BeenVerified
It examines billions of records from public data sources and the deep web, uncovering a wealth of information such as address history, phone numbers, educational and employment history, and criminal records.
While most background check services require users to enter search terms such as name, phone number, or address, BeenVerified includes an additional social media search option (analyzing over 120 platforms). This allows users to perform a background check using just the username.
This is especially useful for those who do business on social media and want to avoid falling victim to scams, which the Federal Trade Commission says are on the rise. In 2021, more than 95,000 people reported nearly $770 million in losses due to social media scams, up from $258 million in 2020.
Why we chose BeenVerified: It also has a satisfaction guarantee that promises users personalized support or a refund if they’re not happy with the results.
Our experience: We appreciate that BeenVerified allows users to track any changes to previously generated reports. However, while the service generally provides accurate results, our report contained several addresses, emails,
Read BeenVerified review
PROS
- Offers seven search options in one.
- Offers a seven-day trial for $1.
- Searches billions of records.
CONS
- Monthly reports are limited to 100.
- Search results aren’t always completely accurate.
Intelius
For example,
Intelius offers a variety of search terms and prices, making it an ideal choice if you know exactly what kind of information you’re looking for. While many other verification providers charge a flat monthly fee for all services, Intelius allows users to choose a specific monthly plan for the type of search they’re most interested in.
Conversely
someone using the service to search for details about homes in their neighborhood might choose Intelius’ unlimited reverse address search plan. With it, they can find property history, ownership information, property tax information, property values, and contact information.
On the other hand, a person interested in a background check can opt for the site’s unlimited people search plan. For the price of the plan, users get criminal records, social media activity, address history, photos, family and partner information, civil lawsuits and convictions, traffic violations, and financial history.
These search options, which include criminal records, public records, and people searches, can be accessed directly from the site’s homepage. However, since the pricing structure varies depending on the type of search, it can be confusing to figure out how much to pay for a particular service.
Why We Chose Intelius: Intelius regularly updates its search engine to ensure consistently fast, confidential, and accurate results. It’s one of the most comprehensive background check services available, with access to over 20 billion public records.
Our Experience: We were impressed with the variety of unlimited searches offered by Intelius and the different pricing plans. However, during the initial billing process, we encountered a few “special offers,” which made it difficult to determine the monthly cost of each service. For example, the unlimited address search plan was initially advertised at $29 per month, but was later reduced to a special price of $4.99 at checkout.
Read Intelius review
PROS
- Offers multiple search options.
- Offers various trial periods.
- Access to 20 billion public records.
CONS
- Confusing pricing structure.
- Canceling a subscription can be time-consuming.
PeopleFinders
Launched in 1999, PeopleFinders is one of the leading online background check services on the market. It boasts over 120 billion public records from over 6,000 data sources, with search options for terms, names, email addresses, dates, and addresses.
It offers tools that allow certain users to refine their search results by looking for targets with common names.
PeopleFinders’ people search displays contact information, criminal records, liens and real estate assets, educational history, employment references, marriages, and records.
Why did we choose PeopleFinders? We were impressed by the company’s long history in the field and its unparalleled access to records, making it easy to find lost contacts.
Our experience We found the PeopleFinders search engine easy to use, both on the website and in the smartphone app.
Read our PeopleFinders review.
PROS
- Access to large amounts of data
- Long-term service
- Upfront fee of $9.95 for the first month of the year
CONS
- No trial period
- Reports do not include social media history.
US Search
Screen history, contact information, personal information, homes or cars owned, financial information, etc.
Allows users to identify themselves by email or patient name.
We chose Search. In the United States, you can perform searches and connect and print reports if necessary.
Our experience.We liked that MTN Search returned results quickly and allowed us to check if someone had a monthly subscription. The service is very affordable.
Summary
Read BeenVerified review
PROS
- Offers seven search options in one.
- Offers a seven-day trial for $1.
- Searches billions of records.
CONS
- Monthly reports are limited to 100.
- Search results aren’t always
PeopleWhiz
Intelius offers a variety of search terms and prices, making it an ideal choice if you know exactly what kind of information you’re looking for. While many other verification providers charge a flat monthly fee for all services, Intelius allows users to choose a specific monthly plan for the type of search they’re most interested in.
For example, someone using the service to search for details about homes in their neighborhood might choose Intelius’ unlimited reverse address search plan. With it, they can find property history, ownership information, property tax information, property values, and contact information.
On the other hand, a person interested in a background check can opt for the site’s unlimited people search plan. For the price of the plan, users get criminal records, social media activity, address history, photos, family and partner information, civil lawsuits and convictions, traffic violations, and financial history.
These search options, which include criminal records, public records, and people searches, can be accessed directly from the site’s homepage. However, since the pricing structure varies depending on the type of search, it can be confusing to figure out how much to pay for a particular service.
Why We Chose Intelius: Intelius regularly updates its search engine to ensure consistently fast, confidential, and accurate results. It’s one of the most comprehensive background check services available, with access to over 20 billion public records.
Our Experience: We were impressed with the variety of unlimited searches offered by Intelius and the different pricing plans. However, during the initial billing process, we encountered a few “special offers,” which made it difficult to determine the monthly cost of each service. For example, the unlimited address search plan was initially advertised at $29 per month, but was later reduced to a special price of $4.99 at checkout.
Read Intelius review
PROS
- Offers multiple search options.
- Offers various trial periods.
- Access to 20 billion public records.
CONS
- Confusing pricing structure.
- Canceling a subscription can be time-consuming.
TruthFinder
Launched in 1999, PeopleFinders is one of the leading online background check services on the market. It boasts over 120 billion public records from over 6,000 data sources, with search options for terms, names, email addresses, dates, and addresses.
It offers tools that allow certain users to refine their search results by looking for targets with common names.
PeopleFinders’ people search displays contact information, criminal records, liens and real estate assets, educational history, employment references, marriages, and records.
Why we chose PeopleFinders: We were impressed by the company’s long history in the field and its unparalleled access to records, making it easy to find lost contacts.
Our experience: We found the PeopleFinders search engine easy to use, both on the website and in the smartphone app.
Read our PeopleFinders review.
PROS
- Access to large amounts of data
- Long-term service
- Upfront fee of $9.95 for the first month of the year
CONS
- No trial period
- Reports do not include social media history.
PeopleLooker
Screen history, contact information, personal information, homes or cars owned, financial information, etc.
Allows users to identify themselves by email or patient name.
We chose Search. In the United States, you can perform searches and connect and print reports if necessary.
Our experience: We liked that MTN Search returned results quickly and allowed us to check if someone had a monthly subscription. The service is very affordable.
Summary
CheckPeople uses publicly available information from the dark web, such as court and sex offender databases, to provide a comprehensive background check report in an easy-to-read format. This report can include contact information, social media pages, address history, financial information such as bankruptcies and liens, personal property information, business history, and registered licenses.
CheckPeople’s searches, which span multiple jurisdictions, can generate a complete criminal profile of your search subject in minutes, with up-to-date information.
According to a recent study by Social Science Research, the number of people with criminal records in the United States has increased significantly. Approximately 19 million people, or 8% of the U.S. population, have a felony conviction. Twelve million of them have served their sentences on parole.
CheckPeople specializes in online criminal background checks. It allows users to search arrest records directly from the home page and explore information on the websites of superior courts, district courts, and county sheriffs. CheckPeople searches for arrests and convictions for felonies and misdemeanors, even shootings. Why We Chose CheckPeople: CheckPeople offers instant, unlimited searches for a flat monthly fee, meaning you don’t have to pay for every search. And while the price is hidden in the fine print, you can get a three-day trial for $4.99.
Our Experience: When we ran a reverse phone number lookup on CheckPeople, we found social media sites and other information from the deep web that was linked to the number. We think this is a valuable feature, especially since people looking for information are often unaware that online checks can trace this data back to them.
Read CheckPeople review
PROS
- Allows unlimited monthly searches
- Offers a three-day trial for $4.99
- Guarantees complete search privacy
CONS
- Uncertain pricing structure
- Does not offer 24/7 customer support
CheckPeople
Instant Checker analyzes millions of publicly available data points and information sources to provide detailed verification reports.
Its full monthly subscription gives users access to a variety of search features that can gather a wealth of information on a given topic. This includes family and relationship records, social media accounts, criminal records, employment history, bankruptcy and foreclosure records, licenses, and address history.
In particular, Instant Checker’s reverse phone lookup subscription is an affordable way to check for suspicious calls. The service also allows its members to search for relevant criminal records and get crime statistics by city, state, or zip code.
Why we chose Instant Checker: This service provides detailed results in less than five minutes. Its ability to search for federal inmates, a unique feature we didn’t find on other sites we reviewed, also sets it apart from other background check providers.
Our experience: Each search tab, both on Instant Checkmate’s website and its mobile app, clearly explained what type of information each section required. This helped us know what to include. We also liked that we could search for traffic and criminal records right from the homepage.
Read Instant Checkmate review
PROS
- Offers an affordable plan for finding phones
- Helps track down federal inmates
- Offers a personalized criminal background check option
CONS
- Prices vary on the website and mobile app
- Expensive monthly subscription plan
Instant Checke
ID True is a good basic option for those looking for information on potential dates, old friends, missing relatives, or neighbors. It even lets you run personal background checks.
There’s no app for this service, but the website works well on mobile devices. Users can search directly by name or phone number, but unfortunately, ID True doesn’t offer an email or physical address search like the other services we tested.
ID True searches millions of federal, state, and local records and finds contact information, location, criminal history and sex offender status, family members and associates, convictions, and more.
Read True ID Review
PROS
Intuitive mobile interface
Allows unlimited background searches.
Ideal for basic background checks.
CONS
Cannot cancel online.
No email or physical address search option
ID True
.
*Please note that these services do not comply with the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and therefore cannot be used for employment or tenant screening.
Comparing the Top Background Check Sites & Services
When comparing background check companies, you should consider your specific needs. Whether you want to check online businesses, find out who called you, ensure personal safety, or locate people, there are a number of factors to consider when comparing. These may include pricing, types of reports offered, type of information used to perform the search, ease of use, mobile functionality, and customer support.
We’ve compiled all of these features for each of the 10 background check services we recommend in the table below, allowing you to compare and contrast the different features and prices.
What Is a Background Search?
Various online tools and public information are used to uncover details about a person’s past, such as criminal records, location, social media accounts, financial information, court and traffic records, educational and employment history, and more. While it’s possible to search public records manually, the process is more complicated and time-consuming than using a background check service.
How Does a Background Check Work?
Typically, a person using a background check company enters the person’s name into the service’s online search tool. The company provides a detailed report with general information about the subject of the search. This process usually takes five minutes or less.
Some background check services also allow users to search by phone number, email address, physical address, or social media username. And while many providers require a monthly subscription rather than purchasing a single report, some offer trial periods.
Reasons To Use Background Check Services?
There are many reasons to use an online background check service. Some people run background checks on new neighbors or potential online dates to ensure their personal safety. Others use background check services to contact family members or friends they have lost touch with, or to search for their names and see what information is publicly available.
Background checks are also widely used by employers to screen potential employees and by landlords to screen potential tenants. However, these background checks must be performed by companies that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other federal, state, and local regulations.
Choosing the Right Background Check Company
When looking for a background checking company, you should consider what you’ll be using the service for (such as finding a missing relative or investigating suspicious spam calls) and find a subscription plan that fits your needs and budget.
For example, if you want to check criminal records, you should make sure the service you use has access to federal, state, and local court databases. And if you need to use a background checking service for work or other federally regulated purposes, make sure you’re using a service that complies with the FCRA.
The background checking service you choose should offer accurate reports, customizable searches, a user-friendly web and mobile interface, and excellent customer service with access via phone, chat, or email. It should also include a variety of search options, such as name, phone number, email address, mailing address, and social media username.
Considerations When Selecting a Provider
Below are some important factors to consider when choosing an online background check company.
Accuracy of Report Information
You should investigate whether the online background check service has a reputation for providing accurate information in its reports.
Some background check services will display information about people who are not the subject of your search or will include information that is not relevant to your target, such as social media accounts, addresses, or phone numbers. User reviews will give you a good idea of the accuracy of the information in the service’s report. Of the services we tested, PeopleWhiz produced the most accurate background check data.
Search Customization
Search Personalization is important, especially for consumers who want to check background check data but only have someone’s phone number, email address, physical address, or social media username.
Some background check services, such as Intelius and PeopleFinders, offer users several search customization options in addition to searching for people, or allow for more personalized background checks, such as criminal background checks instead of a general background check.
Ease of Use
Your background check service should be easy to use and provide information in well-organized and easy-to-read reports. This is especially important for users who want to perform multiple searches. For example, CheckPeople allows unlimited searches and offers well-organized reports.
Many verification services offer an online dashboard where you can save and organize your searches; some, like US Search, even let you print PDF versions of your reports.
Customer Support
Good customer support is vital for any online verification service so that users can be confident that any issues they encounter will be resolved quickly. Find out if the service offers online or phone support (ideally, both).
Carefully review the verification service’s cancellation policy to determine whether it allows online cancellation or requires you to call the service line to cancel your subscription, especially if you plan to cancel before the end of the trial period. We found that TruthFinder and PeopleLooker offer excellent customer support, with options to cancel your subscription online or over the phone.
How Much Do Background Check Services Cost?
Background check services typically cost between $20 and $30 per month. Many require users to subscribe to a monthly plan for unlimited reports rather than purchasing a single report. In general, the monthly price will be lower if you sign up for a longer plan. However, many services require you to pay upfront for a full subscription (such as three or six months).
Some background check companies offer more affordable subscription options for certain services, such as Instant Checkmate’s unlimited phone lookup option, which costs just $5.99 per month. Others, like BeenVerified, also offer tests, making them a good fit for those looking for a one-time check.
Information Included in Different Types of Background Checks
Consumers can conduct background checks and…
To help you decide what you need, we are also the ones who discover.
Criminal Background Checks
Courts and databases of criminal and…
Background Checks for Employment
Checking prospective employees’ background check results during the hiring process to confirm that they have worked in the previous position listed on their resume.
Education Verification
Possible employment by the employer.
Reference Checks
Reference checks are often performed multiple times throughout the hiring process.
Universal Background Checks
And. Do people consider buying from a dealership because of its bad reputation or the opinions of others?
OIG Background Checks
Healthcare employers often refer to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ exclusion list when hiring for health care workers who are ineligible for government-funded health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Individuals on the OIG exclusion list may have been convicted of serious crimes such as fraud, abuse, or negligence.
E-Verify Background Checks
E-Verify is an online screening system that allows employers to compare a candidate’s information with U.S. government records, such as those from the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. This screening is used to determine whether a candidate is eligible to work in the United States.
Credit Background Checks
Credit checks review an individual’s credit report, which includes information such as credit card accounts, debts, and on-time payment history. Landlords typically check the credit history of prospective tenants to make sure they are financially responsible, but these checks must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Social Security Number Trace
A Social Security Number check checks a person’s Social Security Number to make sure they are not using a fake or stolen identity. It will also show a detailed address history. Employers may use this check to verify a candidate’s identity or to determine which law enforcement agencies to contact during a criminal background check.
Personal Background Checks
A personal background check involves a person conducting a self-examination to determine what types of public information is available about them. This background check is a good option if you want to find out if there is any false information about you so that you can dispute and correct it.
Professional Licenses Background Checks
Employers often use professional licensing background checks to confirm that a potential candidate’s professional licenses are valid and that the candidate has not misrepresented his or her identity. For example, an employer hiring an accountant may want to verify the candidate’s credentials with the appropriate state regulatory agency.
International Background Checks
International background checks can be located and maintained in foreign countries where the person being sought has lived or worked.
Social Media Scans
Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as many lesser-known sites, provide a person’s name and phone number. The composition of the team may vary.
Sources of Background Check Information
There is no publicly available source that provides background checks.
- Archives
- and Certification Data
- Social Media Pages
- Vehicle Records
- and
- Property Records
- Online Phone Directories
Are Free Background Checks Legit?
You can file a lawsuit in your local court to request one.
The advantage of Nona’s background check service is that it will perform a much more thorough review of various jurisdictions in just a few minutes.
Many online sites that offer background checks charge a fee, although some claim to be free.
Understanding Different Levels of Background Checks
Some industries conduct different levels of background checks depending on the type of position they are hiring for. While most employers will want to check a candidate’s educational and employment history, some jobs require an additional level of background check.
For example, a person hiring a truck driver may want to check a candidate’s driving record, while a person hiring for a finance position may want to check a criminal record for fraud charges. These are the different levels of background checks.
Level
Personal Check: Most employers typically use Social Security numbers to verify a candidate’s name and date of birth. A Social Security check will also provide a detailed address history. Level 2: Criminal Background Check: Many organizations conduct criminal background checks by searching federal, state, and local court records for felony or misdemeanor charges or convictions. However, federal and state laws govern how criminal records can be used in making employment decisions.
Level 3: Credit History and Credit Score Check: Some employers may conduct a credit history check, including credit card accounts, debts, and a history of timely payments, especially for positions where financial responsibility is an integral part of the job duties.
Level 4: Vehicle Registration: Some companies use government vehicle records to verify a candidate’s driving history. If the job duties involve driving, the employer will specifically check for any traffic violations.
Level 5: Education and Professional Background Check: Education and professional background checks verify a candidate’s college degree or contact a previous employer to verify their position and duties.
Level 6: Fingerprint Check: Some professions, such as government or security, conduct criminal background checks using fingerprints for a more thorough check. A person’s fingerprints can be compared to an FBI database to search for criminal records.
Step 7: Verify lawful employment status in the United States. Some employers use the government’s online E-Verify system to compare a candidate’s information with records from the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. This verification ensures that the candidate is eligible to work in the United States.
How Long Do Background Checks Actually Take?
Online background check services usually provide results in less than five minutes, although some take longer. Passport searches, which analyze large amounts of information, tend to take the longest.
Employment background checks that require contacting former employers, academic institutions, or government officials can take days or weeks. International background checks can take much longer, depending on the country’s process for accessing public records.
Factors That May Result in a Failed Background Check
Anyone conducting a background check must determine what information could be revealed that could cause the background check to fail. For example, an employer hiring for a driver position may decide that anyone with a serious traffic violation or drug offense will not pass the background check.
Ultimately, whether a background check fails will depend on the type of check (in this case, a pre-employment check) and the reason for it (e.g., to find a responsible driver). Providing false or misleading information to a potential employer that is discovered through a background check is likely to result in a failure.
Conducting a Background Check on a Romantic Partner
Check the personal history of the person you are dating.
48% of Pew Research Center respondents believe that online dating services are the most common way to conduct background checks.
and and and and and and – conducts background checks.
Additional Background Check Sites We Reviewed
and we
In addition to the 10 sites included here (which are Top10.com partners), there are other online services:
SearchQuarry – or for VIN searches
Persopo. And.
SentryLink for service seekers
Spokeo for dating sites
DeepSearchPro for analyzing billions of search results
Final Verdict: Discover the Truth in Minutes
Our recommendations for the top 10 background check sites include BeenVerified, Intelius, PeopleFinders, US Search, PeopleWhiz, TruthFinder, PeopleLooker, CheckPeople, InstantCheckmate, and IDTrue.
And and You should compare several companies and understand that they will be well-prepared to thoroughly check who needs them.
