Are you looking for a reputable background check service to uncover detailed information about someone’s history? BeenVerified is a popular online platform that aggregates billions of public records to provide easy access to background reports. But is BeenVerified legit and accurate? How does it stack up against top competitors?
In this comprehensive BeenVerified review, we’ll take a deep dive into how it works, what information you can find, subscription costs, pros and cons, user reviews, and best alternatives. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea if BeenVerified is the right background check site for your specific needs.
What is BeenVerified?
BeenVerified is an online background check service founded in 2007 by Josh Levy and Ross Cohen. Its mission is to help people find, understand and use public data for any purpose. The company provides an easy-to-use web interface and mobile apps that allow users to sift through billions of records and compile detailed background reports on almost anyone in the United States.
With BeenVerified, you can search for someone using their name, phone number, email address, physical address, or vehicle identification number (VIN). The platform will scan its massive database and return any associated public records, which may include:
- Contact information
- Address history
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Social media profiles
- Criminal records
- Sex offender status
- Bankruptcies and liens
- Lawsuits and judgments
- Marriage/divorce records
- Property ownership
- Vehicle and VIN details
- Professional licenses
- Relatives and associates
This data is aggregated from a wide variety of public sources at the federal, state, county and local levels including government agencies, courthouses, police departments, and commercial databases. BeenVerified does the hard work of scouring all these disconnected sources to generate a convenient compiled report in minutes.
How Does BeenVerified Work?
Running a background check on BeenVerified is easy and straightforward. Simply visit the website or download the iOS or Android app, then follow these steps:
- Enter the name, phone, email, address or VIN of the person you want to search. Providing more details will help narrow results.
- The platform scans billions of data points and public records related to your search. This can take several minutes depending on the request.
- BeenVerified returns a list of potential matching records. Select the most relevant result to generate a detailed background report.
- Pay for a subscription to unlock the report, which you can then view, download or print. Reports remain accessible in your account dashboard.
It’s important to note that to remain FCRA compliant, BeenVerified does not allow its reports to be used for employment decisions, tenant screening, credit checks or any other purpose that legally requires a consumer reporting agency. The data is for personal reference only.
BeenVerified Subscription Cost
To access background reports and other features, you need to sign up for a BeenVerified membership. Two subscription options are available:
- $29.99 per month for a 1-month membership
- $19.49/month for a 3-month membership billed quarterly at $58.48
Both plans come with unlimited reports, customer support and coverage under the company’s 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service for any reason, you can request a refund within the first 30 days.
For new users, BeenVerified also offers a 7-day trial membership for just $1, which provides full access to try out the platform. After the trial period ends, your subscription will automatically convert to the standard monthly price unless canceled.
BeenVerified Pros
- User-friendly web, iOS and Android apps make it easy for anyone to run a detailed background check in minutes
- Aggregates billions of records from all 50 states into one convenient report
- Unlimited searches included with all subscriptions
- Accurate and up-to-date data sourced from reputable public sources
- Responsive customer service available by phone or email
- Clear, transparent pricing with 7-day trial option
- All purchases backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Additional features like username search and public record monitoring
BeenVerified Cons
- No single reports available, subscription required to view any results
- Data is for personal use only, cannot be used for employee/tenant screening
- Some records can be outdated or incomplete depending on the original source
- Occasional inaccuracies reported, data should be taken as informational
- Canceling auto-renew membership can be tricky
- Higher prices compared to some competitors
BeenVerified User Reviews
To gauge real customer opinions, we analyzed hundreds of verified BeenVerified reviews on trusted platforms like Trustpilot and Sitejabber. Here’s a summary of what actual users say:
Positives:
- Intuitive, easy to use interface
- Comprehensive reports covering most important areas
- Fast turnaround, receive report instantly
- Helpful for finding lost relatives or old friends
- Useful for checking out online dating matches
- Valuable for identifying spam/scam callers
Negatives:
- Some incorrect or outdated information
- Billing issues, unclear charges
- Trouble cancelling automatic renewal
- Mixed customer service experiences
- Premium price for one-off searches
Overall, BeenVerified earned an average rating of 4.2/5 stars across review sites. Most customers found it reliable for digging up detailed background info and appreciated the user-friendly design. Complaints centered mainly around billing headaches and data accuracy. If you’re unhappy with info in your own report, read our guide on opting out of BeenVerified.
BeenVerified Alternatives
If BeenVerified doesn’t meet your needs, check out these popular background check competitors that offer comparable features:
- Truthfinder – Specializes in detailed criminal record checks. $28.05/mo.
- Intelius – Focuses on people search and reverse phone lookup. $24.86/mo.
- Instant Checkmate – Known for employee and tenant screening. $34.78/mo.
- PeopleFinders – Basic people search and public records. $24.95/mo.
- US Search – People search, reverse lookup and background checks. $19.86/mo.
Each service pulls data from slightly different sources, so trying multiple platforms can help generate the most complete picture of someone’s history. Most also offer similar pricing options and satisfaction guarantees to BeenVerified. For a direct comparison, see our BeenVerified vs Spokeo and BeenVerified vs PeopleFinders guides.
FAQ on BeenVerified
Is BeenVerified legit?
BeenVerified is a legitimate background check company that has been in business since 2007. It is not a scam. The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is clear about its data sources, pricing and usage limitations.
How accurate is BeenVerified?
BeenVerified sources its data from official public records, which are generally reliable. However, the accuracy of any background check depends on the original source. Some records may be incomplete or outdated. BeenVerified reports should be taken as informational and cross-referenced with other sources.
Can I use BeenVerified for employee background checks?
No, BeenVerified does not allow employee or tenant screening with its reports under FCRA regulations. It is not a consumer reporting agency. Reports are for personal reference only, not business decisions.
Does BeenVerified notify the person you search?
No, BeenVerified never notifies searched individuals about your inquiry. Searches are confidential between you and BeenVerified. Details about who purchased a report are never disclosed.
How do I cancel my BeenVerified subscription?
To cancel your BeenVerified membership, log into your account, go to the Settings page and select Cancel Membership. You can also contact customer service by phone (888-579-5910) or email ([email protected]).
Is BeenVerified free?
No, BeenVerified is not free. You must purchase a subscription to view reports and background details. Membership costs $26.89/month or $52.44/quarter.
Key Takeaways
- BeenVerified is a legitimate, established background check company that aggregates billions of public records into detailed reports.
- You can search for someone by name, phone, email, address or VIN and view matching records like contact info, criminal history, bankruptcies, relatives and more.
- Subscriptions cost $29.99/month or $58.48/quarter with unlimited searches. 7-day trials are $1.
- Reports are informational only and cannot be used for employment or tenant screening.
- BeenVerified data is sourced from government agencies and reputable third-party brokers. Reports are generally accurate but may contain occasional omissions or errors.
- Customers praise BeenVerified’s user-friendly apps and extensive data but some complain about billing issues and inconsistent support.
- Truthfinder, Intelius and Instant Checkmate are popular alternatives with comparable data and pricing.
- To keep your info private, follow our steps to opt out of BeenVerified’s database.
In summary, BeenVerified is an established, legitimate background search service that simplifies the process of looking up detailed history on almost anyone. By aggregating billions of public records into one easy-to-read report, BeenVerified saves you the time and hassle of tracking down dozens of disconnected sources.
While not without flaws, BeenVerified earns mostly positive reviews from users who find it reliable for personal reference purposes like locating lost relatives, vetting dates or identifying unknown callers. It holds an A+ BBB rating and offers clear pricing backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
However, BeenVerified is not suitable for employment decisions, tenant screening or credit approvals that require FCRA compliance. Some users also report occasional inaccuracies or incomplete records.
Overall, BeenVerified is a convenient, user-friendly tool for looking up background details when you need them. With a low-cost trial and refund policy, it’s easy to test out the service and see if it meets your needs.
