PeopleFinders Review

PeopleFinders is a paid public records search tool, offering multiple search types in one plan. But is it reliable? Read on to learn more.

Curious about PeopleFinders' background check services? With so many competing services, it can be challenging to see which one will provide the most accurate information about a person you're looking into.

This review will explain its features, pros and cons, and how it compares to other background check tools.

What is PeopleFinders?

PeopleFinders is a well-established provider of aggregated public records, offering detailed background reports by consolidating information from various sources.

With one of the most extensive collections of proprietary databases, PeopleFinders lets you locate almost anyone in the US (except minors).

On its website, you can conduct background checks by entering a person's full name, phone number, address, or email.

Here's the type of information you can get based on your search type:

• Addresses
  
• Aliases
  
• Bankruptcies, liens, and judgments
  
• Birth records
  
• Business records
  
• Criminal records/court records (arrests, trials, convictions)
  
• Current and historical phone numbers (phone type, carrier, etc.)
  
• Educational background
  
• Email addresses
  
• Foreclosures
  
• Marriages and divorces
  
• Property records
  
• Relatives and other known associates

How Does PeopleFinders Work?

PeopleFinders uses innovative technologies to scan from multiple data sources in the shortest possible time.

This means you won't have to retrieve public records individually, which can be a tedious exercise. It's also better than doing a simple Google search, which typically cannot access proprietary databases.

To begin your search on PeopleFinders' website, choose a search variable (name, phone number, or address). Proceed by entering the necessary details.

Once PeopleFinders has successfully retrieved relevant information, it will invite you to subscribe to a monthly plan. Alternatively, there's a click bar on top for a trial membership.

Upon payment, you will receive a full report in your PeopleFinders dashboard.

Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of using PeopleFinders background check services:

Pros:

• Detailed individual reports
  
• Versatile membership plan
  
• Fast retrieval
  
• Longer customer service hours
  
• Membership trial
  
• Free identity and report monitoring
  
• Free basic property info
  
• Many years of experience
  
• Satisfaction guarantee
  
• Email and address pre-validation

Cons:

• Cap on search reports
  
• Confusing pricing
  
• Limited email searches
  
• No pre-validation for phone numbers

Why you might like PeopleFinders

PeopleFinders has quicker searches. Their main membership option is versatile, letting you do different search types with just one plan.

If you just need a single report, you can opt for a membership trial. It's a lot more affordable than committing to a monthly plan. Just remember to cancel it before it ends to avoid auto-renewal charges.

PeopleFinders also has great weekend customer service, which is uncommon for background check service providers. While their hours are limited, you'll likely appreciate that they have live agents available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Why You Might Skip PeopleFinders

Despite PeopleFinders' versatility, you're limited to accessing 100 full reports per month. Unless you're planning to make hundreds of searches a month (in this case, Professional Membership is an option), this should be enough for average users.

The pricing section isn't immediately visible on the website. You must first run a search or sign up for an account. Additionally, they state different prices depending on your landing page, which can be confusing and annoying.

The email lookup feature is also tricky, as even active email addresses may not yield search results.

If you enter an incorrect or invalid number, it'll still ask you to pay to unlock a report. Unlike email addresses or locations, numbers aren't validated before the search proceeds.

How much does it cost to use PeopleFinders?

The price you'll pay on PeopleFinders will depend on the membership plan you choose, which starts at $24.95. Here are the different memberships it offers:

PeopleFinders' membership comes with 100 search reports and allows you to retrieve records using name, email, location, or phone. A three- or five-day membership trial may be available for only a dollar. After this, your credit card or PayPal will be automatically charged a monthly subscription fee.

Since PeopleFinders has varying prices for similar services, note that the same monthly membership may be higher if you run a search on the website first. Unlike other background check providers, you can create a PeopleFinders account without purchasing a plan yet.

Once you've signed in, there are also more membership options you won't see as a website visitor. For example, you may pay $14.95 for a one-off report. Although it isn't exactly cost-effective, but at least you won't have to pay for a monthly plan.

A Professional Plan would be the most suitable for those looking to build leads for their real estate business. You can generate up to 250 reports, which also include MLS data and in-depth market insights.

PeopleFinders Services

PeopleFinders offers users the following services:

People search
Using the PeopleFinders name search function, you can unlock a wealth of information about a person. This includes their contact details, past addresses, and other personal records that are publicly available.

Reverse address search
This is ideal for realtors and house flippers who would like extensive details on a particular property or general location. You can get neighborhood insights, ownership history, liens, and more.

Criminal records
Although going to a county courthouse or county recorder's office to obtain a person's criminal history would provide more accuracy, PeopleFinders aggregated data is an accessible and convenient option.

Public records
PeopleFinders boasts one of the most extensive databases, holding marriage and divorce records, bankruptcy history, and traffic violations, among others.

Reverse email search
Perform a reverse email lookup to unlock its owner or at least the name and social media profiles associated with an unknown email address.

Reverse phone lookup
With a mobile app, you can automatically scan all unknown numbers/unfamiliar callers and perform spam blocking. If available, you may even get the owner's background info as well.

PeopleFinders Security

According to PeopleFinders, they have a sophisticated encryption system that masks any data passed from your computer to their website.^[3] Their site uses standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to secure your account information and searches.

Their https site has a verified SSL certification that maintains safe connections, which is important, especially when encoding your credit card details.

In any case, it's always wise to remain vigilant and proactive to emerging threats by taking extra precautions when accessing your PeopleFinders account.

PeopleFinders Customer Reviews

Although the Better Business Bureau doesn't accredit it, it enjoys a high average rating from third-party review sites like Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs.

Several users commend PeopleFinders' customer service, while others complain about recurring charges, even if they've supposedly canceled their subscriptions:

PeopleFinders Mobile App

PeopleFinders' mobile apps are accessible on both iOS and Android devices. If you want to access it on an iPhone, it must have at least a 14.0 iOS software version to run the program.

The user interface is easy to navigate. However, some users have complained about being stuck in a loop, with the app repeatedly prompting an update even if it's already updated. Others encounter difficulty logging in.

PeopleFinders Alternatives

Below are side-by-side comparisons of PeopleFinders and three similar products: TruthFinder, Intelius, and Instant Checkmate.

PeopleFinders vs. TruthFinder

If you think monthly search quotas are cramping your style, TruthFinder might work for you. It offers unlimited searches based on your membership plan.

For example, you can make as many searches as you want using names or addresses as data points with a People Search subscription.

TruthFinder also provides Dark Web Monitoring for a low monthly fee to alert you in case your personal details become compromised.

PeopleFinders vs. Intelius

Intelius membership price is unbeatable, considering it allows you to search as many records as you want with a monthly membership.

It also boasts a robust dark web monitoring option called Identity Protect, which provides up to $1 million of identity theft insurance coverage. For a monthly fee of $9.95, you also get automatic credit monitoring by 3 major credit bureaus and a monthly credit score report.

PeopleFinders vs Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate is another great alternative if you prefer unlimited searches. If applicable, their inmate locator may provide more details, including the prison release date for free, no membership necessary.

In addition, you can download your search reports in PDF format for an affordable one-time fee.

Things to Consider Before Hiring Background Check Services

Here are a few things you might want to look for in background check providers:

Features
Some background check services have dark web monitoring and inmate search capabilities. Other services can give you specific tools, like reverse phone lookups and property reports.

Frequency
Are you just looking up on someone for curiosity's sake? Check if the service allows you to pay for one-offs instead of committing to a subscription right away.

Purpose
Will you use this for your business or personal inquiries? Similar services may offer a genuine business subscription that provides easy access to multiple users under one umbrella account.

Trial offer
Most people search services offer a risk-free trial period, either for free or a small fee. Use this opportunity to test the tool and see if it satisfies your needs.

Accuracy
It's important to know the third-party data sources being provided to you, especially if they are sensitive in nature (such as criminal offenses). This will help you gauge their accuracy.

User reviews
Read up on the experiences of real users. Although you may find a lot of negative reviews that may turn off most customers, focus on those who give constructive feedback.

Fees
Check if the associated costs are justified with the services it comes with. For instance, is it more expensive because of the unlimited searches? Or is it cheaper because it only does one thing?

Customer support
At the very least, the service must have a dedicated customer service team who can attend to your calls on weekdays. You could also use a comprehensive help page for quick answers to common concerns.

Bottom Line

PeopleFinders is a fast and easy-to-use online search engine capable of producing comprehensive and accurate reports. Even with its limited number of reports generated every month, it stands out with its versatile membership plan that allows you to do different types of searches.

Overall, it may not be the perfect background check tool, but its great features may make it worth subscribing to.

References