Is Spokeo Legit? An Honest Assessment of This People Search Service

The Short Answer: Spokeo Is Legitimate, But...

Yes, Spokeo is a legitimate company. Founded by Stanford graduates in Pasadena, California, Spokeo has been operating for over a decade and holds a BBB accreditation with an A- rating. The company aggregates data from over 12 billion public records and has served millions of users.

But "legitimate" and "worth your money" are two different questions entirely.

After reviewing hundreds of user experiences, examining Spokeo's actual service offerings, and understanding their billing practices, we've found that while Spokeo isn't a scam, it comes with significant caveats that you need to understand before entering your credit card information.

What Spokeo Actually Does

Spokeo is a people search engine that compiles information from public sources into searchable profiles. The data comes from census records, public social media profiles, marketing databases, white pages, and court records.

With a Spokeo search, you can potentially find:

• Contact information (phone numbers, email addresses)
• Current and past addresses
• Age and relatives
• Social media profiles
• Property records
• Court records (with additional fees)

The standard membership gives you access to name, phone, email, and address searches. Court records and historical data require add-on purchases beyond the base subscription.

How Spokeo Collects Its Data

Understanding where Spokeo gets its information helps explain both its usefulness and its limitations. Spokeo doesn't create original data-it aggregates information from multiple sources and connects the dots between different databases.

The primary data sources include:

Public Records: Spokeo pulls from federal, state, and local government databases including property records, court filings, voter registration, business registrations, marriage licenses, and divorce records. These are legally accessible to the public, which is how Spokeo can compile them.

Social Media Platforms: The company started as a social media aggregator, and this remains one of its strengths. Spokeo scans publicly visible profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms for usernames, profile pictures, posts, and connections.

Phone Directories and White Pages: Traditional phone listings, both online and digitized from print directories, provide phone numbers and addresses-particularly for landlines and older records.

Marketing Databases: Spokeo purchases bulk data from third-party data brokers who specialize in consumer information. These marketing lists include contact details, household composition, and consumer behavior data.

Online Directories and Business Listings: Professional directories, company websites, and business registration records contribute employment history and professional affiliations.

The company employs data scientists who work to cross-reference these sources, identify connections, and filter out duplicate or conflicting information. However, this automated matching process isn't perfect, which leads to many of the accuracy issues users report.

Spokeo's Pricing Structure: Where It Gets Complicated

This is where many users run into trouble. Spokeo's pricing can be confusing, and their billing practices are a major source of complaints.

Here's how the pricing typically works:

• 7-day trial: $0.95 (requires credit card)
• Monthly subscription: $19.95-$24.95/month
• Three-month plan: Around $14.95/month (billed as $44.85)
• Court records and background reports: Additional fees

The catch: That $0.95 trial automatically converts to a monthly subscription if you don't cancel. Many users report being charged $24.95 or more when they thought they were only paying for a single search. All Spokeo subscriptions automatically renew, and cancelling only prevents future charges-it doesn't refund the current billing period.

Understanding the Trial Period Trap

The $0.95 seven-day trial is Spokeo's main customer acquisition method, but it's also the source of most billing complaints. Here's what actually happens:

When you sign up for the trial, you're automatically enrolled in a monthly subscription that will charge your card after seven days. The trial doesn't give you full access-many detailed reports, court records, and historical data cost extra even during the trial period.

If you don't actively cancel before the seven days expire, you'll be charged the full monthly rate, which can range from $19.95 to $29.95 depending on the plan you were enrolled in. According to numerous complaints, the cancellation process isn't prominently displayed, and some users report difficulty finding where to cancel.

Making matters worse, Spokeo's policy states that cancellation only stops future billing-you won't get a refund for charges already made. If you cancel on day 8, you've still paid for a full month you may not want.

Hidden Add-On Costs

The base subscription provides name, phone, email, and address searches, but many users discover too late that the information they actually wanted costs extra. Additional fees apply for:

• Court records and criminal history
• Historical records and deeper background checks
• PDF downloads of reports
• Enhanced background reports
• Higher search quotas

Some users report paying the $0.95 trial, then being prompted to pay another $5 or more to actually open the profile they searched for, only to find the information was outdated or incorrect.

The Accuracy Problem

Here's something Spokeo openly admits on their own website: they do not guarantee data accuracy, and the information should only be used as a reference. Spokeo doesn't originate or create data-they aggregate it from other sources, which means they inherit whatever inaccuracies exist in those original sources.

User reviews consistently mention:

• Outdated address information
• Incorrect phone numbers
• Missing or incomplete records
• Information that doesn't match the person being searched

For casual curiosity-looking up an old friend or checking who called from an unknown number-this level of accuracy might be acceptable. But for anything more serious, Spokeo's data quality can be hit or miss.

Why Spokeo's Data Is Often Outdated

The accuracy issues stem from how data aggregation works. When Spokeo pulls information from multiple sources, those sources update at different rates. A phone number database might be months old. A property record could reflect ownership from several years ago. Social media profiles might be abandoned accounts.

Spokeo's system tries to identify the "most recent" information, but it's automated matching-not human verification. This leads to several common problems:

Name Confusion: If multiple people share similar names and locations, their records might be incorrectly merged. John Smith in Dallas could have details mixed with a different John Smith who used to live there.

Stale Data: Someone who moved, changed phone numbers, or closed social media accounts years ago may still have that old information displayed as current.

Missing Information: If a person maintains a low online profile, doesn't own property, and isn't in marketing databases, Spokeo may return very limited results-or no results at all.

Conflicting Sources: When two databases contain different information about the same person, Spokeo might display both, the wrong one, or an incomplete combination of the two.

Real-World Accuracy Testing

Independent reviewers who've tested Spokeo by searching for people they know personally frequently report mixed results. In some cases, current addresses and phone numbers appear correctly. In other cases, information is five to ten years out of date. Criminal records may be incomplete or missing entirely.

One reviewer noted that when searching for themselves, Spokeo listed a phone number they hadn't used in eight years, an address they left a decade ago, and showed them as connected to relatives they'd never heard of.

What Spokeo Cannot Be Used For

This is critical: Spokeo is explicitly not FCRA-compliant. This means you legally cannot use Spokeo for:

• Employee background screening
• Tenant screening
• Credit decisions
• Insurance underwriting
• Any other purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act

Spokeo states this clearly in their terms of service. If you need background information for hiring, rental applications, or any official business purpose, you need an actual consumer reporting agency-not a people search engine.

The Legal Distinction That Matters

The Fair Credit Reporting Act establishes strict requirements for companies that provide background information used for employment, housing, credit, and other important decisions. FCRA-compliant companies must:

• Verify the accuracy of their information
• Follow procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy
• Allow subjects to dispute incorrect information
• Notify subjects when adverse action is taken based on their reports
• Maintain strict security and privacy protocols

Spokeo does none of this. They explicitly disclaim any warranty of accuracy. They don't verify data with the subject. They don't have procedures for dispute resolution beyond removing your listing entirely.

This isn't necessarily Spokeo's fault-they're operating in a different category of service. But it means if you use Spokeo for hiring decisions or tenant screening, you could face serious legal liability.

Spokeo's History with the FTC

Spokeo was fined by the Federal Trade Commission for violating the FCRA by marketing their services to businesses for employee screening without following required regulations. The company paid a settlement and agreed to compliance monitoring.

Despite this, Spokeo continues to market to businesses-they just include disclaimers that their service isn't FCRA-compliant and shouldn't be used for covered purposes. It's up to users to heed these warnings.

Common Complaints About Spokeo

Based on reviews across Trustpilot, BBB, Consumer Affairs, and Sitejabber, the most frequent issues users report include:

Billing surprises: Users expect to pay $0.95 for a single search but end up with recurring monthly charges. The subscription auto-renewal catches many people off guard.

Difficult cancellation: Multiple users describe the cancellation process as intentionally complicated or time-consuming. Some report being charged even after attempting to cancel.

Data quality issues: The information returned is sometimes outdated, incomplete, or simply wrong. Users searching for themselves often find significant inaccuracies in their own records.

Misleading "free" claims: While basic searches showing city, state, and age are technically free, any useful detailed information requires payment. The $0.95 trial only unlocks limited data, with full reports requiring subscription or add-on fees.

Analysis of BBB Complaints

Spokeo's BBB profile shows hundreds of complaints filed over the past three years. The A- rating reflects that Spokeo does respond to complaints, but the volume and nature of complaints reveal recurring patterns:

Many complaints involve users who paid for the trial, received incomplete or useless information, and were then charged for a full month when they thought they'd cancelled. Spokeo's responses typically explain their auto-renewal policy and state that cancellations don't provide refunds.

A significant number of complaints come from seniors who report feeling taken advantage of by the confusing subscription model. One user reported being charged $38.80 for a single email address after accidentally signing up for multiple services.

The BBB notes that while Spokeo responds to complaints, many are marked as "resolved" simply because Spokeo explained their policies-not because the customer received a satisfactory outcome.

Trustpilot and Consumer Review Sites

On Trustpilot, Spokeo holds a 2.4-star rating out of 5, with the majority of reviews being either 1-star or 5-star (very few middle ratings). This polarization is telling-some users find exactly what they need quickly, while others feel scammed.

Common positive reviews mention successful reverse phone lookups, finding old friends, and useful property information. Negative reviews overwhelmingly cite billing issues, inaccurate data, and feeling deceived by the "free" trial.

Recent reviews from January show complaints continue: users report charges appearing as "$29.95" after signing up for what they believed was a one-time $0.95 search.

When Spokeo Might Actually Be Worth It

Despite the complaints, Spokeo can be useful in specific situations:

• Reconnecting with lost contacts: Finding an old friend or distant family member
• Reverse phone lookups: Identifying unknown callers or potential scammers
• Dating safety: Basic verification of someone you've met online
• Property research: Looking up previous owners or neighbors

For these casual use cases, Spokeo's limitations are less of an issue. Just go in with realistic expectations, set a calendar reminder to cancel before the trial converts, and don't rely on the data for anything important.

Best Use Cases for Spokeo

Identifying Unknown Numbers: If you're receiving calls from unfamiliar numbers, Spokeo's reverse phone lookup can sometimes identify the caller. This works best with landlines and published business numbers. Mobile numbers may return limited results.

Verifying Online Connections: Before meeting someone from a dating app or online marketplace, a quick Spokeo search can confirm they exist and that basic details match what they've told you. Don't expect comprehensive background checks, but you might catch obvious red flags.

Locating Old Friends: If you've lost touch with someone and only remember their name and approximate location, Spokeo might surface their current city or social media profiles, giving you a starting point for reconnection.

Property Research: Spokeo's property records can show ownership history and estimated values, useful if you're researching a neighborhood or trying to identify a property owner.

Understanding Spokeo's Competition

Spokeo operates in a crowded market of people search engines and background check services. Understanding how it compares to competitors helps contextualize its strengths and weaknesses.

Consumer-Focused People Search Engines

BeenVerified: Similar pricing and features to Spokeo, but lacks BBB accreditation. Offers vehicle history reports as an additional feature.

TruthFinder: Emphasizes criminal records and court documents. Higher pricing than Spokeo but claims more comprehensive background data. BBB accredited with an A rating.

Instant Checkmate: Focuses on criminal records and public safety information. BBB accredited with A rating. Known for detailed reports but similar auto-renewal billing issues.

Whitepages: One of the oldest services with 25 years in business. Specializes in phone and address verification. BBB accredited with an A rating. Generally better accuracy for basic contact information.

Intelius: Offers identity monitoring options alongside people search. BBB accredited. Mid-range pricing with focus on verified public records.

Free Alternatives to Spokeo

Several services offer basic people search functionality without subscriptions:

TruePeopleSearch: Completely free service providing basic contact information, addresses, and phone numbers without requiring payment. Data quality varies, but there's no financial risk.

FastPeopleSearch: Another free option that aggregates public records. Limited compared to paid services but useful for quick lookups.

PeekYou: Focuses on social media profiles and online presence. Free searches can help you find someone's digital footprint.

ZabaSearch: Free people search with basic contact and address information. Results can be hit-or-miss but worth trying before paying for a service.

These free services generally provide less information than paid options and may have outdated data, but they're useful for preliminary searches or confirming information before paying for more detailed reports.

Better Alternatives for Professional Background Checks

If you're a sales professional, recruiter, or business owner who needs reliable information, people search engines like Spokeo probably aren't the right tool. Here's why:

The data isn't verified, accuracy isn't guaranteed, and you can't use it for FCRA-covered purposes anyway. You need tools designed for professional use.

For verifying contact information before outreach, our free Background Checker provides comprehensive reports with trust scores-without the confusing subscription models. You get clear, actionable information without worrying about surprise charges.

Similarly, if you're trying to find someone's contact details for legitimate business purposes, our Email Finder and Mobile Number Finder tools can help you locate accurate contact information from a name and company-without the billing headaches.

Professional-Grade Contact Finding Tools

For B2B purposes, you need tools that focus on verified business contact information rather than consumer data:

LinkedIn Sales Navigator: The gold standard for B2B prospecting. Provides verified professional profiles, job titles, and company information. Pricing starts around $80/month but delivers consistently accurate data for professional outreach.

RocketReach: Specializes in finding email addresses and phone numbers for business professionals. Claims high accuracy rates and includes verification. Check out RocketReach for professional contact data.

Lusha: B2B contact database with Chrome extension for easy LinkedIn integration. Focuses on direct dial numbers and verified emails. Visit Lusha for professional contact information.

Hunter.io: Email finder that focuses on company domains. Great for finding contact patterns and verifying email formats. More affordable than enterprise solutions.

Clearbit: Real-time API for enriching contact data with company and professional information. Geared toward developers and marketing automation.

For Recruiters and HR Professionals

If you're hiring and need legitimate background checks, you must use FCRA-compliant services:

Checkr: Modern background check platform designed for hiring. Fully FCRA-compliant with fast turnaround times and transparent pricing.

GoodHire: FCRA-compliant employment background checks with packages tailored to different industries and compliance requirements.

Sterling: Enterprise-level background screening with global capabilities. Used by large companies for comprehensive pre-employment verification.

HireRight: Comprehensive background screening with drug testing, employment verification, and criminal record checks.

These services cost more than Spokeo but provide legally defensible information that you can actually use for hiring decisions. Using Spokeo for employment screening could expose your company to discrimination lawsuits and regulatory penalties.

How to Use Spokeo Safely (If You Decide To)

If you do choose to use Spokeo, protect yourself with these steps:

1. Use a virtual credit card or prepaid card. This limits your exposure if you forget to cancel or have trouble stopping charges. Services like Privacy.com let you create single-use card numbers with spending limits.

2. Set multiple calendar reminders. Mark the exact date your trial ends-and set reminders for a day or two before. Don't rely on a single reminder; set one for five days, one for three days, and one for the day before.

3. Screenshot everything. Keep records of what you signed up for, when, and at what price. Capture screenshots of the signup page, confirmation emails, and the terms presented. This documentation helps if you need to dispute charges.

4. Cancel immediately after getting your report. Don't wait until the last day of your trial. Cancel as soon as you have the information you need. You'll retain access through the end of your paid period.

5. Verify information independently. Never assume Spokeo data is current or accurate. Cross-reference with other sources, especially for important decisions.

Step-by-Step: Canceling Your Spokeo Subscription

Since cancellation is a common pain point, here's exactly how to do it:

1. Log in to your Spokeo account at spokeo.com
2. Click on your name or profile icon in the upper right corner
3. Select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu
4. Scroll down to the "Subscriptions" section
5. Click "Cancel Subscription" next to your active subscription
6. Follow the prompts (Spokeo may offer discounts to retain you-decline if you want to cancel)
7. Confirm cancellation
8. Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page
9. Check for a cancellation confirmation email

If you have difficulty finding these options or they don't work, contact Spokeo customer care directly. They're available 7 days a week from 5 AM to 6 PM PST by phone, email, and chat. Be persistent-some users report needing to contact support multiple times.

Disputing Unauthorized Charges

If you've been charged after canceling or didn't authorize charges:

1. Contact Spokeo customer care immediately with your cancellation confirmation
2. If Spokeo doesn't resolve it within 48 hours, contact your credit card company
3. File a dispute for unauthorized charges
4. File a complaint with the BBB and FTC if appropriate

Credit card companies generally side with consumers on unauthorized subscription charges if you have documentation showing you attempted to cancel.

Removing Your Information From Spokeo

Concerned about your own data appearing on Spokeo? They do offer an opt-out process:

1. Go to Spokeo and search for your name or address
2. Copy the URL of your listing
3. Find the "Opt Out" or "Privacy" link at the bottom of the site
4. Provide the listing URL and your email for verification
5. Complete the verification steps when you receive the confirmation email

Be aware that your information may reappear if new data sources update their records, as Spokeo continuously pulls from external databases.

Understanding the Limitations of Opting Out

Removing yourself from Spokeo doesn't remove your information from the underlying sources-public records, marketing databases, and social media. It only prevents Spokeo from displaying your information on their site.

Your data will likely reappear over time as Spokeo ingests new data from sources that still contain your information. Some users report needing to opt out every few months as their listings regenerate.

To more comprehensively protect your privacy:

• Opt out of multiple people search sites (Whitepages, BeenVerified, Intelius, etc.)
• Adjust your social media privacy settings to limit public visibility
• Remove yourself from marketing mailing lists
• Consider using a PO Box instead of your home address for public records
• Use services like DeleteMe that automate ongoing removal from data brokers

The Future of People Search Engines

The people search industry faces growing scrutiny over privacy concerns. Several trends are shaping its future:

Regulatory Pressure

Privacy laws like GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California give consumers more control over their personal data. While these laws include exemptions for publicly available information, they're pushing companies toward greater transparency and easier opt-out processes.

Additional states are considering privacy legislation that could further restrict how companies like Spokeo collect, use, and display personal information.

Accuracy Requirements

As people search engines are increasingly used for safety decisions (vetting dates, identifying scammers), there's growing pressure for accuracy standards. The FTC continues to monitor the industry for deceptive practices.

Companies that can't guarantee accuracy may face additional legal liability, especially if their information causes harm (like false criminal records damaging employment opportunities).

Business Model Shifts

The subscription model that catches many users off-guard may evolve toward more transparent pricing. Some competitors are already experimenting with pay-per-report models that avoid recurring charges.

Pressure from consumer protection advocates and bad publicity from billing complaints could push the industry toward clearer pricing and easier cancellation.

Spokeo for Business Users: What You Need to Know

Spokeo markets services to business users, but there are significant limitations and risks you should understand.

Spokeo for Business Plans

Spokeo offers business-focused plans with higher search quotas and API access. Pricing ranges from around $40 to $120 per month depending on search volume. These plans provide:

• Higher monthly search limits (100+ searches)
• API access for automated lookups
• Bulk search capabilities
• Business contact information

However, these plans still aren't FCRA-compliant and come with the same accuracy disclaimers as consumer plans.

Legitimate Business Use Cases

Where businesses can potentially use Spokeo:

Sales Prospecting: Finding additional contact information for leads (though specialized B2B tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator or RocketReach provide better, more accurate business contact data).

Fraud Prevention: Verifying customer identities to prevent fraud-though this should be supplemented with other verification methods since Spokeo data isn't guaranteed accurate.

Marketing Research: Understanding demographic information about target markets at an aggregate level.

Where Businesses Cannot Use Spokeo

Legally prohibited uses include:

• Employee background checks
• Tenant or credit screening
• Insurance underwriting
• Licensing decisions
• Any employment-related decisions

Using Spokeo for these purposes violates the FCRA and could result in significant legal liability, including discrimination lawsuits and regulatory fines.

Real User Experiences: Case Studies

Looking at specific user experiences helps illustrate both when Spokeo works and when it fails:

Success Story: Reconnecting with Family

One user reported successfully finding a half-sister they'd never met using Spokeo. Starting with just a name and approximate age, Spokeo's relative connections suggested possible family members. Cross-referencing with social media profiles revealed in the search results, they were able to make contact and verify the relationship.

Cost: $0.95 trial (cancelled before renewal). Result: Successful.

Failure Story: Employment Verification Gone Wrong

A small business owner used Spokeo to "check out" a job candidate, finding what appeared to be a criminal record. They decided not to hire the person. The candidate later discovered this and filed a complaint with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). The business faced an investigation and legal fees because they used a non-FCRA-compliant service for employment screening.

Cost: $24.95 subscription plus thousands in legal fees. Result: Lawsuit and regulatory investigation.

Mixed Results: Dating Safety

A user wanted to verify information about someone they met on a dating app. Spokeo returned an address that was five years old, a disconnected phone number, and social media profiles (which they'd already found themselves). It didn't reveal anything concerning, but also didn't provide much value beyond what free Google searches offered.

Cost: $0.95 trial plus $29.95 monthly charge when they forgot to cancel. Result: Limited value, billing frustration.

Spokeo vs. Free Options: A Detailed Comparison

Should you pay for Spokeo when free alternatives exist? Here's an honest assessment:

What Spokeo Offers Over Free Search

• Aggregated data from multiple sources in one place
• Better organization and presentation of information
• Potentially more data sources than individual free sites
• Social media aggregation capabilities

What Free Options Can Do

• Google searching: Often surfaces social media, news mentions, and public records
• Facebook/LinkedIn direct searching: Finds profiles directly without intermediaries
• TruePeopleSearch/FastPeopleSearch: Basic contact information without payment
• Public records websites: Direct access to property, court, and vital records

For many casual searches, investing time in free options yields similar results to paying for Spokeo-especially if you're just trying to find someone's current city or social media presence.

Spokeo's value proposition is convenience and aggregation, not exclusive access to information. Whether that convenience is worth $20-30 per month depends on how frequently you need it and how much you value your time.

Technical Considerations: How Spokeo Actually Works

Understanding the technical side of Spokeo helps explain its capabilities and limitations:

Data Aggregation Technology

Spokeo uses web crawlers and data partnerships to continuously ingest information from thousands of sources. Their systems attempt to match records across databases using identifiers like names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Machine learning algorithms try to determine which records belong to the same person, but this automated matching isn't perfect. False positives (incorrectly linking unrelated people) and false negatives (missing connections) both occur regularly.

Update Frequency

Spokeo claims to add new information daily, but this doesn't mean every profile updates daily. The frequency depends on how often their source databases provide updated information.

Public records might update quarterly. Marketing databases could refresh monthly. Social media scraping might capture changes within weeks-or miss them entirely if privacy settings changed.

This means a Spokeo report provides a snapshot based on whenever their sources last updated, which could be anywhere from days to years ago.

Search Capabilities and Limitations

Spokeo offers multiple search types:

• Name search (requires at least city or state for better accuracy)
• Phone search (works better for landlines than mobiles)
• Email search (includes social media username search)
• Address search (shows current and previous residents)

Each search type has different accuracy levels depending on data availability. Email and username searches leverage Spokeo's social media aggregation background and tend to be more reliable than phone searches for mobile numbers.

Spokeo Compared to Professional Tools for Sales and Recruiting

If you're a sales professional or recruiter, here's how Spokeo compares to tools designed for your needs:

For Sales Prospecting

Tools like our Email Finder focus specifically on business contact information-verified email addresses tied to companies and job titles. Unlike Spokeo's consumer-focused data, these tools help you reach decision-makers with accurate professional contact details.

For cold email campaigns, you need verified business emails, not home addresses and phone numbers from five years ago. Professional tools integrate with CRMs and provide bulk lookups optimized for B2B outreach.

Consider specialized platforms:

• Clay for waterfall enrichment and automated data gathering
• Findymail for verified B2B email addresses
• Our B2B Company Finder for targeted prospect lists

For Recruiting

Recruiters need professional histories, verified employment information, and accurate contact details for passive candidates. Spokeo provides none of this reliably.

LinkedIn Recruiter offers vastly superior candidate information including verified employment histories, skills, recommendations, and professional networks. While expensive, it provides accurate, professionally relevant data rather than consumer information.

For background checks on candidates you're serious about hiring, you must use FCRA-compliant services like Checkr or GoodHire. Spokeo cannot legally be used for employment decisions.

For Marketing and Lead Generation

Marketers building prospect lists need accurate, permission-based contact information. Spokeo's consumer data isn't suitable for business marketing.

Better options include:

• Tech Stack Scraper to find companies using specific technologies
• Instantly.ai for email outreach campaigns
• Smartlead for automated lead generation

Privacy and Ethics: Should Services Like Spokeo Even Exist?

The existence of people search engines raises important ethical questions:

The Privacy Debate

Critics argue that services like Spokeo enable stalking, harassment, and identity theft by making personal information easily accessible. Even though the data is technically public, aggregating it in searchable form creates privacy risks that didn't exist when the same information was scattered across multiple sources.

Proponents counter that the information is already public, and these services simply organize what's already accessible. They argue that people search engines help individuals make informed decisions about safety, reconnect with loved ones, and protect themselves from fraud.

Practical Privacy Considerations

Whether or not you think people search sites should exist, they do-and your information is likely on them. Practical steps to protect your privacy:

• Regularly search for yourself and opt out of major sites
• Use privacy settings on social media
• Consider using a PO Box for public records
• Be thoughtful about what personal information you share online
• Use privacy services like DeleteMe to automate removal requests

When Using Spokeo Yourself

If you use Spokeo or similar services, consider the ethical implications:

• Don't use the information to harass or stalk
• Verify information before making important decisions
• Respect others' privacy as you'd want yours respected
• Don't use these services for purposes they're not designed for (like employment screening)

The Bottom Line

Is Spokeo legit? Yes-it's a real company providing a real service. Is it the best option for your needs? That depends entirely on what you're trying to accomplish.

For casual lookups where accuracy isn't critical, and you're careful about the billing, Spokeo can work. For professional purposes-sales prospecting, recruiting, business verification-you're better served by tools specifically designed for B2B use.

The most important thing is going in with your eyes open. Spokeo's subscription model is designed to maximize recurring revenue, the data accuracy is explicitly not guaranteed, and the service has significant legal limitations on how it can be used. Knowing all this, you can make an informed decision about whether it's right for your specific situation.

Our Recommendation

For most users, we recommend trying free alternatives first. Google, social media, and free people search sites often provide similar information without financial commitment.

If you need more comprehensive data for professional purposes, use tools designed for your specific use case. Sales professionals should use verified B2B contact tools like our Email Finder. Recruiters should use LinkedIn and FCRA-compliant background check services. Property researchers should go directly to county records websites.

If you do decide to try Spokeo, use a virtual credit card, set multiple cancellation reminders, and verify any important information independently. Treat it as a starting point for research, not a definitive source of truth.

And remember: if you need contact verification, background checks, or lead generation for business purposes, Galadon's free tools provide transparent, accurate information without surprise billing or confusing subscriptions. Check out our Background Checker, Email Verifier, and other tools designed for professionals who need reliable data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spokeo

Is Spokeo really free?

No. While Spokeo offers a free search that shows limited information (city, state, age), accessing detailed information requires payment. The $0.95 trial provides more access but automatically converts to a $20-30/month subscription if not cancelled.

Can I trust Spokeo's information?

Spokeo's own terms state they don't guarantee accuracy. The information comes from public sources that may be outdated or incorrect. Treat Spokeo data as a starting point that needs verification, not as definitive fact.

Will Spokeo notify the person I'm searching for?

No. Spokeo searches are confidential and don't notify the subject of your search. However, if you use the information to contact them, they'll obviously know you have their details.

How do I cancel my Spokeo subscription?

Log into your account, go to Account Settings, scroll to Subscriptions, and click Cancel Subscription. Cancel immediately after getting your information rather than waiting until the last day of your trial.

Can I get a refund from Spokeo?

Spokeo's policy states that cancellation only stops future billing and doesn't provide refunds for charges already made. Some users report success disputing charges with their credit card company if they can document billing issues.

Is it legal to use Spokeo for background checks?

You can use Spokeo for personal background research, but you cannot legally use it for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, or other purposes covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Doing so could result in legal liability.

Why is my own information on Spokeo wrong?

Spokeo aggregates data from multiple sources that update at different times. Old addresses, former phone numbers, and outdated social media profiles may all appear. You can request removal through their opt-out process, but accuracy corrections aren't guaranteed.

What's better than Spokeo for business purposes?

For professional contact finding, use B2B-specific tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, our Email Finder, or verified contact databases like RocketReach. For employment screening, use FCRA-compliant services like Checkr. Spokeo isn't designed for professional use.