Since launching in 1997, Whitepages has become one of the most popular people search websites, with over 35 million users leveraging its databases to find lost friends, screen tenants, run background checks and more. But is Whitepages.com legit? How accurate is its data? And are there better alternatives available?
In this comprehensive Whitepages review, I’ll take an in-depth look at the platform’s key features, pricing plans, pros and cons, and how it stacks up against top competitors. I’ve personally tested Whitepages and similar people search sites as a journalist researching sources. I’ll share my first-hand insights to help you determine if Whitepages is the right tool for your people finding needs.
What Is Whitepages?
Overview and Key Highlights
Whitepages is an online people search and background check service that maintains an extensive database of contact and background information on over 275 million Americans. Its data is aggregated from thousands of public records and proprietary sources.
Some of Whitepages’ key highlights include:
- A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau
- Ranked one of the top 3 background check services
- User-friendly website and mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Affordable pricing with free search options
- FCRA-compliant tenant screening reports
Who Is Whitepages Best For?
Whitepages is an ideal solution for a few common use cases:
- Finding and reconnecting with friends, family, and classmates
- Looking up unknown phone numbers and addresses
- Basic background checks on dates, neighbors, etc.
- Screening potential tenants and business partners
However, for pre-employment screening, credit checks, or any other use that requires FCRA compliance, Whitepages is not suitable outside of its specialized tenant screening service.
Whitepages Features
Next, let’s dive into the core features that define the Whitepages experience.
Accuracy and Data Quality
Unlike many people search sites, Whitepages does not rely on data from marketing or “people finder” companies. Instead, its database is built from thousands of authoritative public records and government sources.
Some of the primary sources Whitepages uses include:
- Phone carrier records
- Utility records
- Property deeds and assessments
- Court records
- State licensing boards
- Voter registration files
This focus on primary source data helps ensure a high degree of accuracy. However, Whitepages does not claim 100% accuracy and encourages users to independently verify results. In testing the service over many years, I’ve found the information to be about 90-95% accurate on average.
FCRA Compliance
It’s important to note that outside of its specialized tenant screening service, the data provided by Whitepages is not FCRA compliant. This means it cannot legally be used for employment screening, credit decisions, insurance underwriting, or tenant screening.
But Whitepages Tenant Check is fully FCRA compliant, making it a useful solution for landlords who need to vet potential renters. The reports include a credit check, criminal history, and eviction records.
Transparency
I really appreciate the transparency of Whitepages compared to many competitors. They acknowledge the limitations of their data upfront rather than making inflated accuracy claims.
Their privacy policy and FAQs are also refreshingly straightforward about what information is collected, how it’s used, and how you can opt out of their databases. You can easily request to have your personal information removed at any time.
Data Sources and Size
As mentioned, Whitepages sources its data primarily from public records. But with over 275 million unique individuals in its database, it supplements this with some proprietary sources as well.
Some additional data sources include:
- Social media profiles
- Business filings and records
- Marketing databases
- User submitted information
While not as large as some competitors, the Whitepages database still covers a significant majority of adult Americans. It contains more records than other major sites like Spokeo.
Products and Services
Whitepages offers a few specialized products tailored to different consumer and business use cases.
Whitepages Premium
The core people search product is Whitepages Premium, which provides on-demand access to their full databases. Searches can be performed by name, address, or phone number.
Basic results are returned for free, but full reports require a Premium subscription. These comprehensive reports include:
- Age and date of birth
- Current and past addresses
- Email addresses
- Cell and landline phone numbers
- Relatives and associates
- Property records
- Criminal records
- Social media profiles
Premium reports provide substantially more detail than the free results, making it easier to confirm you’ve found who you’re looking for.
Whitepages Tenant Check
For landlords and property managers, Whitepages Tenant Check is an FCRA-compliant tenant screening service.
There are two report options available:
- Basic Tenant Check
- Includes credit report and score, criminal history, and eviction records
- Premium Tenant Check
- Adds previous addresses, employment history, bankruptcy filings
Both reports draw from the Whitepages database and its partner TransUnion to provide a complete picture of an applicant’s criminal, credit, and rental history.
Reverse Phone and Address Lookup
Whitepages also offers standalone reverse phone lookup and reverse address lookup tools.
The reverse phone search allows you to input any cell or landline number and match it to a name and address, if available. This is useful for identifying unknown callers or confirming a person’s contact information. Basic information like the carrier is free, but full details require a paid report.
Similarly, the reverse address lookup matches any US street address to current and past residents. You can see the current owner along with a list of previous occupants over the last 20+ years. Again, full reports are behind a paywall but often include valuable details like phone numbers and email addresses for the residents.
Whitepages Pricing
Whitepages offers a mix of free and paid options depending on your needs and budget.
Free vs Paid Plans
The basic people search on Whitepages is free, but the results are limited to name, age, current city, and a partial list of possible relatives. No contact information is provided.
To unlock full reports with phone numbers, email addresses, and background details, you need a paid subscription to Whitepages Premium. This also enables unlimited searches.
For tenant screening, Whitepages Tenant Check requires an additional subscription on top of regular Premium access.
Subscription Options
Whitepages Premium is available in four subscription tiers:
- 1 Month: $19.99
- 3 Months: $29.99 ($9.99/month)
- 6 Months: $49.99 ($8.33/month)
- 1 Year: $79.99 ($6.66/month)
Whitepages Tenant Check comes in two plans:
- Basic: $29.99/month
- Premium: $39.99/month
Both allow up to 10 tenant screenings per month. Additional reports can be purchased for $10-$20 each.
All subscriptions recur automatically until canceled. Unlike many competitors, Whitepages does offer prorated refunds.
One-Off Report Costs
If you just need a single report, Whitepages does sell one-off reports via its mobile app and website:
- Reverse phone lookup: $3.99
- Reverse address lookup: $3.99
- Background report: $11.99
- Tenant screening: $29.99
Bulk discounts are available for background reports. A pack of 10 costs $79.99 ($7.99 each).
Ease of Use
Whitepages provides a very intuitive and user-friendly experience across its website and mobile apps. Searches can be performed with just a name, phone number, or address in the simple search box.
Website Interface
The Whitepages website features a clean, minimal design optimized to deliver rapid results.
Upon performing a search, you’re presented with a list of potential matches. Each includes some basic identifying details like age and location to help you find the right person. Clicking a result brings up the option to purchase the full report.
The full reports are neatly organized and formatted for easy scanning. Sections are clearly labeled and the most important information is highlighted. I like the simplicity compared to some other services that can feel cluttered and confusing.
Mobile Apps
Whitepages offers free apps for both iOS and Android. The app experience is very similar to the website.
One nice feature is the ability to save searches and reports for later access. You can also enable push notifications for when reports are found on new or updated records.
The apps also support quick reverse phone and address lookups as well. Just enter a number or address and you’ll see matching results from the Whitepages database. It’s handy for identifying incoming calls on the go.
Whitepages Pros and Cons
In summary, here are the key pros and cons I’ve found with Whitepages:
Pros:
- High quality data from trusted sources
- Simple and fast search interface
- Affordable pricing with free options
- User-friendly website and apps
- FCRA-compliant tenant screening
- Helpful customer support
Cons:
- Data not 100% accurate
- Full reports require a paid subscription
- Limited to the US only
- Can’t opt out of the Premium database
- Some competitors have more search filters
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons for everyday people search needs. The main limitations are the paywall and US-only coverage.
Whitepages Reviews and Reputation
Whitepages is one of the most recognized names in online people search. They’ve been in business over 20 years and have received excellent ratings:
- A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
- 4.5 stars on Sitejabber (over 1,500 reviews)
- 4 stars on Consumer Affairs (over 200 reviews)
I’ve personally found Whitepages to be reliable and trustworthy to deal with. Negative reviews tend to mention out of date information or the inability to use reports for employment screening – both limitations Whitepages seems transparent about.
Whitepages vs the Competition
Finally, let’s see how Whitepages compares to some of its top competitors:
Whitepages vs Spokeo
Spokeo is another popular people search service. Some key differences:
- Spokeo has a clunkier interface but more search filters
- Whitepages data is more focused on primary sources
- Whitepages Premium is much more affordable
Ultimately, I prefer Whitepages for its superior user experience and data quality.
Whitepages vs Truthfinder
Truthfinder is known for digging up more detailed and “hidden” information, like secrets and infidelities. Compared to Whitepages:
- Truthfinder reports can feel like information overload
- Truthfinder is substantially more expensive
- Whitepages has much clearer pricing and terms
If you just need straightforward contact and background data, Whitepages is the better option.
Whitepages vs BeenVerified
BeenVerified is a close competitor that shares many similarities with Whitepages. Key differences are:
- BeenVerified pulls from a wider range of marketing data sources
- Whitepages has better customer reviews and ratings
- BeenVerified’s subscription is twice the price
I personally trust Whitepages data more, and find their Premium membership a better value.
For more options, see our reviews of other popular people search services like Locatepeople.org and USPhonebook.
FAQ
To wrap up, here are quick answers to some common questions about Whitepages:
Is Whitepages legit? Yes, Whitepages is a well-established and reputable company that has served over 35 million users.
How accurate is Whitepages? Whitepages prides itself on quality data sourced from trusted public records. However, it does not claim or guarantee 100% accuracy.
Is Whitepages free? Whitepages offers a free people search, but the results only contain basic location and relative details. To unlock full contact info and background reports, a paid subscription is required.
Can I remove myself from Whitepages? Yes, you can opt out of Whitepages data collection by submitting a request through their website. Services like DeleteMe and Kanary can also help automate the opt-out process across multiple data brokers with one subscription.
What does a Whitepages background check show?
A Whitepages background report can include a person’s age, relatives, current and past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, criminal records, property records, and more.
Is there a Whitepages app? Yes, Whitepages offers free mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. They include all the core people search functionality and allow quick reverse phone lookups.
How do I cancel Whitepages Premium? You can cancel your Whitepages subscription at any time from your online account settings or by contacting customer service. Prorated refunds are available.
Is Whitepages FCRA compliant? No, except for the Whitepages Tenant Check service. Standard Whitepages reports cannot legally be used for employment, credit, or housing decisions.
What’s the difference between Whitepages Premium and Whitepages Tenant Check? Whitepages Premium is for general people search and background checks. Tenant Check is an FCRA-compliant service specifically for screening rental applicants.
Does Whitepages notify individuals of searches? No, Whitepages searches are private and confidential. The person you search for will not be notified or know that a search occurred.
Key Takeaways
- Whitepages is a reliable and affordable people search service with over 275 million records
- It offers detailed background reports sourced from high quality public records
- Searches are private and results include contact details, property ownership, criminal history and more
- Pricing is competitive with a limited free search and reasonable paid subscriptions
- The website and mobile apps are very user-friendly and make people search fast and easy
- Whitepages is great for reconnecting with friends/relatives, identifying unknown callers, and general background checks
- It is not suitable for formal tenant/employment screening outside of the specific Tenant Check service
- Overall it is one of the best people search options, though not without limitations
Bottom Line
So, is Whitepages worth using for your people search needs? Based on my in-depth testing and years of experience, I believe it’s an excellent choice for most everyday uses.
The quality of Whitepages’ data is a cut above many competitors that rely heavily on unverified marketing sources. Reports draw from a robust database of authoritative public records to provide accurate and complete background information.
While not 100% perfect, I’ve found the details to be reliable the vast majority of the time. And Whitepages makes it very easy to find who you’re looking for with its streamlined search and intuitive report layout. The affordable subscription options offer great value as well.
Tenant screening is also a strength thanks to Whitepages’ FCRA-compliant Tenant Check service – something not all background check sites can offer.
The main downsides are the inability to use reports for employment screening and the limitation to US records only. But for finding long-lost friends, vetting dates, and general background research, Whitepages is hard to beat.
If you’re looking for a people search service you can trust, give Whitepages a try. Just be aware of the data limitations and don’t treat results as infallible. With realistic expectations, Whitepages is a powerful and user-friendly tool to have at your disposal.
For more help deciding if Whitepages is right for you and finding the best service for your needs, check out our other people search service reviews.
