Looking to do a quick online background check on someone? While comprehensive reports often require paying for a premium account, some key basic details can be accessed for free.
In this guide, we’ll compare the top-rated free background check sites based on accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. Read on to see which one meets your needs before searching deeper into a person’s past!
Contents
Why Do People Use Background Checks?
Background checks allow us to screen dates, employees, neighbors, and even ourselves! According to 2018 survey data from the FTC, the most common uses were:
- Employment screening – 66%
- Tenant screening – 47%
- Online dating – 35%
- General safety concerns – 30%
Additional niche uses include checking babysitters, handymen, caretakers for elderly family members, and more.
People are looking for everything from criminal records and lawsuits to employment history and address details. But what can you actually access for free? Let‘s find out…
Free vs Paid Checks: What‘s the Difference?
Free background checks offer a useful starting point if you need quick verification or basic details on an individual. But paid services access more comprehensive records, including:
- Full arrest records beyond just convictions
- Bankruptcies, foreclosures, tax liens
- Marriage licenses, divorce filings
- Educational history
- Professional licenses
- Drug testing results
- Nationwide criminal database searches
- Ongoing monitoring and alerts
So while free checks provide a snapshot, you’ll likely need a paid account to get the full story. Important records are often only in paid reports.
Fact-Checking Free Background Checks
No source is perfect – free or paid. When relying on background check data, it‘s essential to fact check the information.
Potential pitfalls include:
- Wrong person – Common names can retrieve mixed records
- Outdated info – Public records lag behind real-time events
- Data errors – Mistakes happen even in official documents
- Limited context – Convictions may lack details on severity or extenuating circumstances
Look for corroborating sources like newspaper archives, court files, or primary documents whenever possible.
Top 6 Free Background Check Sites
Now let‘s explore the key features and limitations of the top free background check sites:
1. TruthFinder
With a database of over 500 million public records, TruthFinder is a leader in the industry.
Key features:
- Reverse phone lookups
- Criminal records overview
- Age, address history
- Household members
- Mobile app access
However, details like full arrest records and bankruptcies require a paid membership starting at $28/month.
2. Instant Checkmate
Active since 2010, Instant Checkmate offers a slick interface and mobile app for on-the-go searches.
What you can access for free:
- Criminal records preview
- Age, birth date
- Current and past addresses
- Aliases used
- Photos
But insights like employment history, marriages, bankruptcies, and more require upgrading to its $27.78/month paid plan.
3. Intelius
With 20 billion public records, Intelius provides extensive background check data.
Useful free features include:
- Criminal records overview
- Age and employment info
- Address history
- Phone number lookups
Intelius has some of the most robust paid plans available if you need access to documents like bankruptcies, divorce records, and professional licenses.
4. Spokeo
Spokeo markets itself as an online people search engine, scouring over a dozen social sites.
For free you can see:
- Address history
- Estimated age
- Phone numbers
- Photos
- Household members
But details like criminal records, bankruptcies, assets, and other financial information are only in its paid tier starting at $14.85/month
5. US Search
With over 20 years of experience, US Search provides a longstanding background check option.
Its free people search allows you to find:
- Contact details
- Age
- Address history
- MAP visualizations
However, users report even the paid criminal background checks have limited information compared to competitors.
6. CheckPeople
A newer entry founded in 2010, CheckPeople offers a basic free background check with:
- Age and birth date
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers
- MAP of address locations
CheckPeople is easy to use, but provides limited free information. Its paid products add criminal checks, bankruptcies, licenses, and more.
Should You Pay for a Background Check?
While the sites above allow free searches in many cases, paid plans unlock more records and capabilities such as:
- Viewing full criminal history beyond just convictions
- Seeing bankruptcies, foreclosures, liens, etc.
- Searching expanded statewide and national databases
- Accessing marriage/divorce certificates
- Getting drug testing results
- Receiving ongoing monitoring and updates
Most importantly, paid membership enables truly comprehensive searches needed for purposes like employment screening, tenant checks, and safety concerns.
So while free checks offer a useful glimpse, paid access delivers essential clarity. Consider your purpose and the level of certainty needed – your needs may justify the investment for peace of mind in relationships, business decisions, or major transactions.
Using Background Checks Ethically and Legally
As access to personal information expands, it‘s important to use background checks responsibly with privacy and consent in mind:
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Check federal laws like FCRA and legal guidelines from the FTC so you understand your rights and responsibilities.
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See what your state allows. Some place limits on criminal history access.
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Avoid "pretexting." Never lie or deceive to obtain private records.
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Get consent from dating partners, employees, tenants, etc. unless you have legal authority to screen.
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Secure permission before running a check on friends or family members.
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Triple check accuracy of any public records, which can contain errors.
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Watch for "mugshot sites." Some exploit public data to shame people. Don‘t contribute to abuse.
With an ethical approach, affordable online tools now put vital information at our fingertips. So search safely and let these top-rated sites provide the visibility you need to make informed decisions!
