What Is PeopleFinders?
PeopleFinders is a well-established online background check and people search service that has been operating for over 20 years. It provides users access to an extensive database of public records to help locate individuals, uncover contact information, and investigate personal histories.
Some key facts about PeopleFinders:
- Founded in 1999
- Headquartered in Sacramento, CA
- Accesses over 43 billion public records
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
How Does PeopleFinders Work?
PeopleFinders aggregates data from a wide variety of public records sources into a searchable online database. These sources include:
- Federal, state and local government records
- Court records
- Property records
- Consumer data
- Social media profiles
- Business filings
- Historical records
When you search for an individual on PeopleFinders, it scans these billions of records and compiles available data into a background report. Reports can include information like:
- Names and aliases
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Age and date of birth
- Relatives and known associates
- Criminal records
- Sex offender status
- Property ownership
- Bankruptcies, liens and judgments
Searching on PeopleFinders
PeopleFinders offers several ways to look up information:
- People Search: Look up someone by name, city and state. Get current contact info, addresses, relatives and more.
- Reverse Phone: Enter a phone number to find out who it belongs to. Uncover the owner’s name, address, carrier and line type.
- Address Search: Enter an address to see current and past residents along with neighbor details.
- Email Search: Find out who’s behind an email address, including their name, location and social profiles.
- Business Search: Look up a company by name to access details like the owner/CEO, number of employees, revenue and industry.
Searches can be performed anonymously – the person you look up is not notified.
Is PeopleFinders Legit?
One common question is whether PeopleFinders is a legitimate service. Based on our research, PeopleFinders appears to be a credible provider of background check services:
- It only uses data from public records and legally available sources
- It complies with federal and state privacy laws
- Its website uses SSL encryption to protect user data
- It has an A+ rating from the BBB with relatively few complaints
However, it’s important to understand what PeopleFinders can and cannot be used for. Under the FCRA, data from PeopleFinders reports cannot legally be used to screen tenants, employees, loan applicants, or for other regulated purposes. It is intended for informal research purposes only.
PeopleFinders Features
Some of the key features that distinguish PeopleFinders include:
- Extensive Database – With over 43 billion records, PeopleFinders has one of the most comprehensive databases among background check sites. This improves the chances of finding the information you need.
- Ease of Use – PeopleFinders has a simple, user-friendly interface that makes it easy to run searches and view reports. No special knowledge is required.
- Flexible Pricing – Users can choose between one-off reports or monthly subscription plans, making it accessible for both occasional and frequent searches.
- Detailed Reports – Background reports on PeopleFinders are thorough, often including full names, aliases, addresses, email, phone numbers, criminal records, property records, financial troubles, relatives and more.
- Mobile Apps – PeopleFinders has apps for both iOS and Android that allow you to run background checks and view reports on the go. App features include a spam call blocker and visual search.
- Customer Support – Support is available 7 days a week by phone and email to assist with account issues, billing and search inquiries.
PeopleFinders Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick summary of the main advantages and disadvantages of PeopleFinders:
Pros
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Multiple ways to search
- Extensive, detailed reports
- Transparent pricing
- Reputable company
Cons
- Not all information is 100% accurate
- Some records may be outdated
- No unlimited search option
- Cannot be used for employment or tenant screening
- Recurring membership fees
PeopleFinders Pricing
PeopleFinders offers both one-time reports and membership subscriptions:
One-Off Reports
- People Search Report – $1.95
- Reverse Phone Report – $3.95
- Background Report – $39.95
Membership Plans
- PeopleFinders Membership: $24.95/month for 150 searches. Ideal for basic contact info and phone number lookups.
- PeopleFinders Premium: $29.95/month for 400 searches. Adds email search, property records, criminal records and more.
Memberships automatically renew but can be cancelled anytime.
Free Trial
PeopleFinders offers a 3-day trial for $0.95 that lets you test out the service before committing long-term. Just be sure to cancel before the trial period ends to avoid being charged the full membership price.
How Accurate is PeopleFinders?
The accuracy of background reports is one of the most important considerations when evaluating a service like PeopleFinders. No people search tool is 100% accurate, as the information is sourced from third-party public records that may contain errors or outdated info.
That said, PeopleFinders has a fairly solid reputation for accuracy:
- It uses top-tier data providers like Experian, Acxiom and Intelius
- Records are updated frequently, often daily
- PeopleFinders stands behind reports with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
In my personal experience testing PeopleFinders, the majority of the data returned in reports was accurate and current for the subjects I searched. Basic info like names, ages, locations, relatives, and phone numbers were spot on. More in-depth details like criminal records and assets sometimes had a few inaccuracies.
Overall, I found PeopleFinders to be reliable for general people search needs, but would recommend verifying any mission-critical details independently.
Customer Reviews
PeopleFinders has mixed reviews from past customers. On Sitejabber, it has a 4-star rating based on 238 reviews. Many users praise its ease of use, detailed reports and helpful customer service. Others complain about recurring charges, outdated information and being unable to find a report subject.
Here are some sample review excerpts:
“Found exactly what I was looking for, great service and support, highly recommend” – Jake S.
“Huge gaps in the data provided. MUCH better options are available.” – Sheldon T.
“Had no issues canceling when I didn’t need it anymore. Reps were nice. No shadiness.” – Bryan G.
“Auto billing after trial is very misleading. Borderline scam.” – Amy R.
As with any service, individual experiences with PeopleFinders may vary. It’s a good idea to take advantage of the $0.95 trial first before joining to see if it meets your needs.
Alternatives to PeopleFinders
If PeopleFinders isn’t right for you, there are a number of other reputable people search services you might consider:
- BeenVerified – Offers affordable people search and background reports with an intuitive mobile app. Plans start at $22.86/month.
- Intelius – One of the longest-running background check providers known for detailed reports. Searches start at $3.95.
- Instant Checkmate – Specializes in criminal background checks. $34.78/month for unlimited reports. Popular for online dating checks.
- TruthFinder – Focuses on ease of use with a streamlined mobile app. Subscriptions start at $27.78/month.
- Spokeo – Aggregates 12 billion records with a strong focus on social media info. Name searches start at $0.95.
Ultimately, the best background check service will depend on your specific needs, budget and preferences.
Key Takeaways
- PeopleFinders is a well-established, legitimate background check service with 20+ years of experience.
- It draws from 43 billion public records to produce detailed background reports on almost anyone.
- Reports include basic contact info, addresses, criminal records, property records and more.
- Users can buy one-off reports or sign up for a monthly membership for unlimited searches.
- PeopleFinders has a good reputation for accuracy and reliability, but no service is perfect. Verify key details independently.
- It offers one of the most affordable background check trials at just $0.95 for 3 days.
Conclusion
After thoroughly evaluating PeopleFinders, I believe it is a solid choice for most general people search and background check needs. While not flawless, its reports are consistently detailed and accurate, drawing from one of the industry’s largest record databases. And its flexible plan options make it accessible to both casual and professional researchers.
If you need to locate a long-lost friend, research a new neighbor, screen an online date, or find information on just about anyone, PeopleFinders is definitely worth considering. Take advantage of its $0.95 trial to test it out, risk-free.
Not happy with your PeopleFinders report or membership? Learn how to cancel PeopleFinders or remove your personal information from its directory.
