Looking for a reliable way to do background checks or find someone’s contact info? You may have heard of CocoFinder, a popular people search site. But is CocoFinder legit and how well does it actually work?
In this detailed CocoFinder review, I’ll give you an expert analysis of everything you need to know, including:
- How CocoFinder searches work
- What info you can find
- Pros and cons
- Pricing and plans
- How it compares to other background check sites
- My experience using CocoFinder
- Tips to get the most out of your searches
By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of whether CocoFinder is right for your people search needs. Let’s dive in!
What Is CocoFinder?
CocoFinder is an online people search service that aggregates public records to help you find information on almost anyone in the U.S. With just a name, phone number, or address, you can potentially access a wealth of data, such as:
- Contact info (phone numbers, email addresses)
- Current and past addresses
- Age and date of birth
- Family members and associates
- Social media profiles
- Criminal and traffic records
- Sex offender status
- Neighbors and neighborhood demographics
- Property ownership and value
Launched in 2006, CocoFinder has become one of the most well-known background check sites, with over 10 million monthly users according to SimilarWeb. The company’s mission is to make public records easy to access so people can make more informed decisions about who they interact with.
How Do CocoFinder Searches Work?
Searching on CocoFinder is straightforward. Start by selecting the type of search you want to do:
- People Search: Search by name and location
- Reverse Phone Lookup: Search by phone number
- Address Lookup: Search by physical address
- Background Check: More detailed search for criminal records, sex offender status, bankruptcies, etc.
Next, enter the info you have into the search bar. Cocofinder will then scan through billions of public records in its database and compile a report with the available data, which may include:
- Names and aliases
- Age and DOB
- Contact info
- Location history
- Relatives
- Social profiles
- Photos
- Criminal records
- Sex offender info
- Neighbor details
- Property records, liens, bankruptcies
- Business associations
Reports are typically available within minutes. From there you can view the report online or download it as a PDF.
CocoFinder Pros
So what makes CocoFinder a popular choice for online background checks? Here are some of the top benefits I’ve found:
Easy to use – The search process is very intuitive, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Just select your search type, enter a name/number/address, and view the results. No need to make an account.
Comprehensive reports – CocoFinder scours tons of public databases to give you an in-depth background on people. Reports are neatly organized and easy to read. You can find hard-to-get info like criminal records, bankruptcies and sex offender status that isn’t always available for free online.
Accurate and up-to-date – In my experience, CocoFinder’s data has been reliably accurate and current. Of course, no public records search is 100% perfect. But I’ve found very few instances of major errors or out-of-date info.
Affordable – CocoFinder offers some of the lowest prices I’ve seen for detailed background reports. Unlimited single-state searches are just $29.95/month or $39.95 for all 50 states. One-off reports start at $1.95. More on pricing below.
Helpful support – If you need assistance, CocoFinder has a searchable knowledge base with tons of FAQs. You can also submit a help ticket or send an email. I’ve received responses within 1 business day.
CocoFinder Cons
No service is perfect, and CocoFinder has some limitations to keep in mind:
Not always immediate results – While many reports are ready in minutes, some can take up to 24 hours if there are lots of records to comb through. Most other sites are similar, but a few (like Instant Checkmate) do provide truly instant searches.
Some records require payment – CocoFinder offers a free preview of some basic info (e.g. location history, possible associates). But to view arrest and court records, sex offender info and other details, you’ll need to pay.
Inconsistent record depth – Some states and counties publish much more public records online than others. That means the depth of information can vary significantly depending on the person’s location history. That’s an issue with all background check sites, but worth noting.
Limited mobile functionality – CocoFinder’s site is mobile-friendly, but doesn’t have native iOS/Android apps. I find apps a bit easier to use, especially for reverse phone lookups on-the-go. BeenVerified and Intelius do offer background check apps.
If you’d prefer a service with more free information, check out these CocoFinder alternatives.
Now let’s take a closer look at CocoFinder’s search options, pricing, and how it compares to other popular background check services.
CocoFinder Search Options
People Search
CocoFinder’s people search lets you look up almost anyone in the U.S. by name and location. You’ll get a report with their contact info, location history, age, relatives, social profiles, photos and more. Possible criminal records and sex offender info require a fee to view.
If you only have a first name and city, CocoFinder can sometimes still find the right person based on other factors like age and relatives. But the more details you provide, the better the match accuracy.
Reverse Phone Lookup
Got a call or text from an unknown number? CocoFinder’s reverse phone lookup can help figure out who it belongs to. Just enter the 10-digit number and you’ll see:
- Owner’s name and age
- Phone carrier (e.g. Verizon, AT&T)
- Location
- Line type (mobile, landline, VoIP)
- Spam risk level
This is super handy for screening robocalls, identifying unknown numbers, and reconnecting with old contacts. What I really like is CocoFinder provides a spam risk rating, so you know how likely it is to be a scammer or telemarketer.
Note that reverse phone reports don’t include the detailed background info found in a people search. For that, you’ll want to search the phone owner’s name and run a background check.
Address Lookup
Curious who lives at a certain address? Enter it into CocoFinder’s address lookup and you can see current and past residents, along with their contact info and approximate age.
This can be useful for researching a new neighborhood for home buyers or renters. You can make sure there are no safety concerns about your potential neighbors. It’s also a way to get the names of residents for mailings and party invites.
Enhanced Background Check
For the most detailed background information, CocoFinder offers a premium check that may include:
- Arrests and court records
- Prison records
- Traffic violations
- Sex offender status
- Bankruptcies, liens, judgments
- Associates and business affiliations
- Weapons permits
- Foreclosures and evictions
- Professional licenses
- Hunting and fishing licenses
Of course, not every background report will contain all of this info. It depends what public records are available in the counties and states where that person has lived.
Generally, recent criminal and court records will show up within a month of the incident. But some counties are slower to digitize records. I’ve seen some felony records take 3-6 months to appear in CocoFinder.
How Much Does CocoFinder Cost?
Like most background check sites, CocoFinder operates on a paid subscription model for the best savings:
- $39.95/month for unlimited people, phone and address searches. Full background checks extra.
- $29.95/month for unlimited single-state searches. Any state, but only one state at a time. Full background checks extra.
- $1.95 for a single people search report (contact info and location history only, no criminal or other records)
- $0.95 for a single reverse phone report (owner name and spam risk only)
Premium background checks with criminal/court records, sex offender info, etc. cost $12.95 each when you have a membership.
Considering individual reports can cost $40+ on other sites, CocoFinder is one of the most affordable background check services out there. A monthly membership is great if you do frequent searches. For one-offs, the $1-$2 reports are very reasonable.
How It Compares To Other Background Check Sites
So how does CocoFinder stack up against other popular people search services? Here’s my take:
Data Coverage
CocoFinder has substantial database and coverage in all 50 states. It’s on par with major competitors like Instant Checkmate, BeenVerified, Intelius, and TruthFinder.
No service has 100% of all records, but these sites offer the most comprehensive reports I’ve found. Smaller sites tend to have patchier data.
Search Accuracy
In head-to-head comparisons, I’ve found CocoFinder to be one of the most accurate background check sites in terms of matching the right records to people.
Everyone will have slightly different algorithms. But CocoFinder has been good at not mixing up records from people with similar names, which can happen with some lower-quality services.
Report Depth
CocoFinder reports aren’t always as detailed as Instant Checkmate or BeenVerified, especially for court records and property records. But they still provide plenty of actionable info for most use cases.
If you need the absolute most exhaustive reports, consider Instant Checkmate. But CocoFinder reports are usually more than enough detail for basic background checks.
Pricing
CocoFinder has an edge on affordability. Its $29-$39 monthly pricing is on the low end of the industry. And the $1-$2 one-off reports are about the cheapest I’ve seen.
Other top sites like Instant Checkmate and BeenVerified charge $35-$40 per month, which is still reasonable. But CocoFinder takes the top spot for affordability.
Ease of Use
I’ve found CocoFinder very straightforward to use. The search interface is clean and intuitive. Reports come back quickly and are easy to read.
The only area it falls a bit short is not having mobile apps. BeenVerified and Instant Checkmate do have iOS/Android apps that make on-the-go searches more seamless. But CocoFinder’s mobile web version still gets the job done.
Customer Support
CocoFinder offers solid support, with an extensive help center for common questions. For tougher issues, you can email the support team. Replies typically come within 1-2 business days.
Top sites like Intelius and Instant Checkmate do have an edge with phone support. So consider those if you want the option to call in. But for most users, CocoFinder’s ticket-based support is fine.
Overall, CocoFinder holds its own against the biggest names in online background checks. And with its low monthly pricing, it’s arguably the best value out there. Let’s wrap up with some key takeaways.
Key Takeaways
- CocoFinder is a reputable and affordable background check service that offers easy ways to look up almost anyone in the U.S.
- You can access a wide range of public records data, including contact info, location history, criminal records, social profiles and more.
- Searches are done by name, phone number or address. Reports are typically ready within minutes.
- Pricing starts at $29/month for unlimited single-state searches. Premium background checks are $12.95 each.
- In terms of data coverage, accuracy and ease of use, CocoFinder is comparable to other top sites like Instant Checkmate and BeenVerified. But it has an edge on affordability.
- No background check site is perfect, but CocoFinder is a legitimate and reliable option for most people search needs.
I’ve had an overwhelmingly positive experience using CocoFinder for background checks and people searches. While no service has 100% of all records, CocoFinder has been consistently accurate and delivered in-depth, easy-to-understand reports.
Unless you need the absolute most exhaustive data, CocoFinder is an excellent value – especially with its low $29/month starting price. Give it a try and see what you can find!
FAQs About CocoFinder
Is CocoFinder legit?
Yes, CocoFinder is a legitimate background check company that has been in business since 2006. It’s one of the most widely used people search services, with over 10 million monthly users.
Is CocoFinder safe?
CocoFinder uses SSL encryption to protect your searches and doesn’t sell your data to third parties. However, be aware that the people you search may be able to see that someone looked them up on the site. CocoFinder offers an opt-out process for those who don’t want their info available.
Can I look up a person for free on CocoFinder?
CocoFinder does offer a free preview with some basic info like name, age and location. But to get full reports with contact details, criminal records and other data, you’ll need to pay for a membership starting at $29/month.
How accurate is CocoFinder?
CocoFinder sources data directly from public records databases. So reports are generally very accurate and up-to-date. However, it’s important to remember that no service has access to 100% of all existing records. Data availability varies by state and county.
Can I see someone’s social media profiles on CocoFinder?
Yes, CocoFinder reports often include links to the person’s social media profiles on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. However, you’ll only be able to see what’s publicly visible on those profiles. Private posts are not included.
Does CocoFinder show expunged records?
In most cases, expunged or sealed records do not show up on background checks through sites like CocoFinder. If you believe your report is inaccurate, contact CocoFinder to dispute the record and potentially have it removed.
How do I cancel CocoFinder?
You can cancel your CocoFinder membership at any time by logging into your account and going to the ‘Billing’ section. Your membership will remain active through the end of the current billing cycle, after which you won’t be charged again. CocoFinder offers a 3-day full refund policy on your initial charge. You can also opt out of having your own information appear on CocoFinder if you prefer not to be searchable.
Does CocoFinder show bankruptcy?
Yes, CocoFinder reports typically include bankruptcy filings sourced from federal courts. The level of detail provided can vary, but will usually show the chapter (7, 11, 12, or 13), case number, file date, court, trustees, and sometimes the estimated assets and liabilities involved.
How far back does CocoFinder go?
CocoFinder reports data as far back as is available in digitized public records databases. Criminal records generally go back at least 7 years, and sometimes further for serious cases. Bankruptcies appear for 10 years. Other info like addresses and phone numbers may be available for 20+ years.
Conclusion
Hopefully this in-depth review has given you a clear picture of what CocoFinder has to offer as a people search tool. While not perfect, it’s a reliable and surprisingly affordable way to access huge amounts of public records data.
Whether you need to screen a potential date, research your family tree, or track down a long-lost friend, CocoFinder can likely get you the key facts you need. I recommend taking advantage of the low monthly pricing to give it a test run.
Have you used CocoFinder or other background check sites? Let me know about your experiences in the comments below!
