Best Background Check Sites - 2024

Commonly Asked Questions About Running Background Checks Online

Where Does Background Check Data Come From?

Data from background checks come from public records data that regular search engines cannot access. Throughout a person's life, agencies at the county, state, and federal level collect information about people and much of this data is available to the public. Online background check websites collect this data into easy-to-read reports. Many background check sites like TruthFinder, Been Verified, and Spokeo will also scour various social media to give you a more complete picture (literally, as some sites include photos) of the person you're trying to look up.

How Can I Use Online Background Checks?

Popular uses for online background check sites include checking on people such as:

• Neighbors
• Nearby Sex Offenders
• New Friends
• Former Classmates
• Vacation Buddies
• Celebrities

The background check services we review are NOT credit reporting agencies. That means it is prohibited to to use these sites for any purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). So you can not use them for things like employment screening, tenant screening, or making decisions about credit or insurance eligibility.

How Accurate Is Data In Online Background Checks?

Data in online background checks tend to be highly accurate, though there is no guarantee that 100% of the data will be accurate on all reports. There may occasionally be errors that exclude information about a person, or (less commonly) include inaccurate information on a report. Since each jurisdiction has different laws about public records, the available data is highly influenced by where a person lives.

Are Online Background Checks Free?

No. It costs money to source data and organize it into reports. No legitimate, reputable background check website is free. This is one of those industries where you get what you pay for. Even sites like Zabasearch, People Finders, MyLife, and SpyFly eventually ask for money.

How Much Do Online Background Check Reports Cost?

The pricing model varies from company to company. The most reputable companies allow you to sign up for a month-to-month subscription that allow you to search as many background checks as you want.

Are People Notified When You Pull Their Background Check Report?

No, all background searches are confidential. When you pull a person’s report, they won’t know that you’re looking at their background report. This is one of the things we often hear from our readers as a major concern when running online background checks. Even the smaller companies like eVerify, Radaris, People Looker, and IDtrue claim they have confidential searches.