Are you considering using Truthfinder to run a background check on someone? As an experienced private investigator who has tested over a dozen online background check services, I’m here to give you my honest take on Truthfinder.
By the end, you’ll know if Truthfinder is right for your needs and worth the cost. Let’s dive in!
What Is Truthfinder?
Truthfinder is an online background check service that has been around since 2014. It allows you to search for and view detailed background reports on almost anyone in the United States.
To generate a report, Truthfinder scours millions of public records, including:
- Criminal and arrest records
- Court records and traffic records
- Sex offender registries
- Address history and property records
- Social media profiles and online mentions
- Possible relatives and associates
This information is aggregated into a comprehensive, easy-to-read report. Reports can include personal details, location history, criminal records, social media profiles, and more.
How Truthfinder Works
Running a background check with Truthfinder is a simple four-step process:
- Enter the person’s name and last known location
- Truthfinder searches millions of records and compiles available data
- You are presented with a list of potential matching records to select the right report
- Access the report and view all available details about the person
Truthfinder has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to find who you’re looking for and understand the reports. However, you do need a paid membership to access reports.
What Can You Find With Truthfinder?
Truthfinder offers several core services for looking up information on people:
People Search
Truthfinder’s primary service is people search. With just a name and last known location, you can potentially find:
- Age and date of birth
- Contact information and address history
- Email addresses and phone numbers
- Criminal records and traffic violations
- Bankruptcies and tax liens
- Social media profiles and dating profiles
- Possible relatives, associates and neighbors
Truthfinder’s database covers over 250 million Americans. While it may not have records on everyone, chances are high you can locate who you’re searching for.
Reverse Phone Lookup
Have an unknown number calling or texting you? Truthfinder’s reverse phone lookup may be able to tell you who owns it.
Just enter any landline or cell phone number, and Truthfinder will comb through databases to find any available information associated with that number, such as:
- Owner’s name and age
- Address history
- Email addresses
- Social media profiles
- Images
Reverse phone lookups are convenient for identifying spam callers, verifying identities, and finding out more about unknown numbers.
Background Checks
For the most comprehensive reports, Truthfinder offers background checks. These reports may include:
- Detailed criminal history (arrests, convictions, sex offenses, warrants)
- Financial history (bankruptcies, tax liens, judgments, assets)
- Licenses and permits
- Weapons permits
- Business and corporate affiliations
- Possible relatives and associates
Background check reports provide a deeper look into someone’s history and public records. They can be useful for screening dates, new neighbors, or family friends.
Is Truthfinder Accurate?
One of the most important questions about any background check service is: how accurate is it? In my experience, Truthfinder’s reports are quite accurate and up-to-date.
Truthfinder compiles data from thousands of public records sources, including:
- Federal, state, and county databases
- Criminal and arrest records
- Court records
- Voting records
- Sex offender registries
- Property records
- Social media sites
By cross-referencing multiple sources, Truthfinder is able to provide current, reliable data. During my tests, the information I received matched official records I had on file.
That said, no background check service is 100% accurate. There may be occasional errors or omissions, especially for common names. Truthfinder acknowledges this on its website.
Additionally, Truthfinder can only access public records – it cannot view sealed or confidential records. Its reports should be used as a starting point, not taken as gospel. Overall though, I’ve found Truthfinder to be one of the more accurate services.
Truthfinder Pricing
Truthfinder requires a paid membership to access reports. It offers three subscription levels:
- 1 Month Membership: $28.05/month
- 2 Month Membership: $23.28/month (billed bi-monthly at $46.56)
- Phone Report Only: $4.99/month
The 1 and 2 month plans include unlimited standard reports, with the main difference being the billing cycle.
Each report type – background check, people search, reverse phone – counts as a separate report. PDF downloads cost an additional $2.99 each.
The Phone Report Only plan provides unlimited reverse phone lookups. It does not include background checks or people searches.
Truthfinder occasionally offers discounts or promotions. When available, these are highlighted on the signup page.
One downside is that Truthfinder does not offer individual reports – a subscription is required. However, Truthfinder does provide a 5 day trial for $1 that converts to the 1 month plan if not cancelled.
Is Truthfinder Legit?
So, is Truthfinder legitimate? Based on my research and experience: yes, it is a legitimate background check service. Here’s why:
- Established company: Truthfinder has been in business since 2014 and has served over 1 million customers. It has an office based in San Diego.
- Accreditation: Truthfinder has an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. It is also a member of the Professional Background Screening Association.
- Compliance: Truthfinder’s website emphasizes its compliance with state and federal regulations like the FCRA. It requires users to confirm their identity and permissible use before purchasing reports.
- Transparency: Truthfinder’s website includes an extensive Help section with detailed information about what is included in reports, how its service works, and customer support contact info.
- Privacy: Truthfinder uses 256-bit encryption to protect customer data. Its privacy policy outlines how personal information is collected and used.
- Sources: Truthfinder compiles reports from government, commercial, and public records databases. It discloses its data sources and how often databases are updated.
- Support: Truthfinder offers toll-free phone and email support.
While some online reviews complain about Truthfinder’s subscription pricing and report accuracy, that’s common for the background check industry. No service is perfect.
In summary, I believe Truthfinder is a legitimate, trustworthy background check service based on its time in business, accreditations, compliance, transparency and data sources. It is not a scam or fly-by-night company.
Who Should Use Truthfinder?
Truthfinder can be a powerful tool – in the right hands and for the right reasons. So who is Truthfinder best for? In my opinion:
- Online daters who want to verify matches’ identities and check for red flags
- Parents looking into their kids’ friends or dates
- Landlords screening potential tenants
- Consumers researching service providers or contractors
- Long lost friends and family members looking to reconnect
- Concerned neighbors wanting to know more about people on their street
In general, Truthfinder is intended for everyday people who need a quick, affordable way to access public records and background information. As long as it’s for personal reasons, Truthfinder can provide value.
Limitations
However, there are some limitations and restrictions on using Truthfinder:
- Truthfinder is NOT a consumer reporting agency and its reports cannot legally be used to evaluate candidates for employment, lease agreements or loans
- Truthfinder does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of its reports
- Reports can sometimes include outdated, sealed or erroneous records
- Reports should never be used to harass, stalk or threaten anyone
Truthfinder is a tool for personal knowledge and peace of mind – not a complete investigation. Reports should be taken with a grain of salt and used responsibly.
Truthfinder Pros and Cons
To summarize, here are the key pros and cons I’ve found with Truthfinder:
Pros
- Easy to use interface
- Comprehensive reports and multiple search options
- Accredited and established company
- Accurate and up-to-date information overall
- 24/7 customer support
- Unlimited reports with membership
Cons
- Subscription required (no single reports)
- Occasional report inaccuracies and omissions
- Cannot be used for employment or tenant screening
- Additional fee for PDF downloads
Overall, I believe Truthfinder’s strengths outweigh its limitations compared to other background check services. However, consider your specific needs and budget before committing to a plan.
Truthfinder Alternatives
While Truthfinder is a strong background check service, it may not be the best fit for everyone. Here are a few notable alternatives:
- BeenVerified: Offers background checks, people search and reverse phone lookups with plans starting at $22.86/month.
- Instant Checkmate: Focuses exclusively on background checks for $34.78/month. Known for detailed criminal record info.
- Intelius: Provides people search, background checks and reverse phone lookups starting at $24.86/month. Offers a mobile app.
- PeopleFinders: Aggregates a variety of public records with basic people searches starting at $1.95. Background checks available for an added fee. (PeppleFinders vs Truthfinder)
Consider your specific search needs, budget and subscription preferences to choose the best Truthfinder alternative. Reading reviews can also help compare services.
Truthfinder Review FAQ
Still have questions about Truthfinder? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked things about this background check service:
How do I search for someone on Truthfinder?
To start a search, enter the person’s first name, last name, and last known city and state. Truthfinder will compile and return a list of potential matches based on the information provided. You can add more details like middle name and age to narrow results.
What does a Truthfinder report include?
Truthfinder reports can include a variety of details depending on what is found in public records. Common information returned includes full name, age, current and past addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, criminal history, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, social media profiles, and possible relatives.
Does Truthfinder notify the person you searched?
No, your Truthfinder search is completely private and confidential. The person you look up is never notified of your search. Truthfinder does not disclose your account information or search history to anyone.
How far back does Truthfinder’s data go?
Truthfinder reports can include criminal records, addresses, and more from up to 20 years in the past. However, this depends on the availability of digitized public records. Some states and counties have less historical data accessible.
Is there a free Truthfinder trial?
Yes, Truthfinder offers a 5 day trial membership for $1. This includes unlimited searches and reports. After the trial period, your account will automatically convert to the billed monthly membership unless you cancel.
Is Truthfinder safe?
Yes, Truthfinder is a safe and secure platform. It uses 256 bit SSL encryption to protect your personal information. Truthfinder is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau, demonstrating its commitment to trustworthiness and customer service.
How do I cancel my Truthfinder membership?
To cancel your membership, log into your account and visit your account settings page. Follow the prompts under Membership Status to cancel. You can also cancel by calling (800) 699-8081. Your reports will be accessible until the end of the billing period.
Key Takeaways
In summary, here are the key points you should know from our Truthfinder review:
- Truthfinder is a legitimate, established background check service offering detailed reports and unlimited searches with a membership
- Reports can include criminal records, contact information, address history, social media profiles, relatives and more
- Information is obtained from various public records sources and is generally accurate and up-to-date
- Membership costs $28.05/month and includes unlimited reports. A 5 day trial is available for $1
- Truthfinder is best used for personal reasons like online dating, checking up on neighbors, or locating long lost relatives
- Truthfinder reports cannot be used for employment decisions, housing approvals or other formal purposes
- Truthfinder is secure and keeps all searches confidential from looked up individuals
- Compared to other background check services, Truthfinder excels for its ease of use, detailed reports and customer support
Ultimately, Truthfinder is a powerful tool for accessing public records and learning more about the people in your life. While not perfect or suitable for every situation, its strengths make it one of the better background check services available today. Consider your needs and follow best practices for a positive experience.
