What Is TruthFinder and How Does It Work?
TruthFinder is a subscription-based people search platform that launched in 2015. The service compiles information from public records databases—including federal, state, and county sources—into consolidated background reports. Users can search by name, phone number, email, or address to access data about individuals across the United States.
A TruthFinder background report may include birth information, phone numbers, address history, related persons, arrest records, court records, government license information, social media profiles, and nearby sex offender data. The platform also offers a dark web monitoring feature that can alert you if your personal information appears in compromised databases.
One critical distinction to understand: TruthFinder explicitly states it is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This means their reports cannot legally be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. If you're a recruiter or HR professional, you'll need a different solution for official background checks.
TruthFinder Pricing Breakdown
TruthFinder operates on a membership model rather than per-report pricing. Here's what you can expect to pay:
- Monthly People Search: Approximately $28-30/month for unlimited background reports
- Bi-Monthly Plan: Around $23-24/month when paying two months upfront
- Reverse Phone Lookup: $4.99/month as a standalone option
- PDF Downloads: Additional $2 per report to download
- Dark Web Monitoring: Additional $2.99/month add-on
The membership auto-renews unless you cancel, which catches many users off guard. TruthFinder does not offer a free trial in the traditional sense, though promotional offers occasionally appear. Be aware that you'll need to provide payment information before accessing any search results.
For B2B professionals running frequent checks, the unlimited model can be cost-effective if you're conducting multiple searches per month. However, if you only need occasional lookups, paying $28+ monthly for one or two reports becomes expensive quickly.
What TruthFinder Does Well
Despite its limitations, TruthFinder has earned its reputation for several reasons:
Comprehensive Data Aggregation
TruthFinder pulls from an extensive network of data sources, including court records, social media profiles, and public databases. For personal use cases—reconnecting with old friends, verifying information about online connections, or researching your own digital footprint—the breadth of data can be genuinely useful.
Deep Web Scanning
One differentiator is TruthFinder's ability to scan beyond surface-level information. The platform searches through data sources that standard search engines don't index, potentially revealing information that wouldn't appear in a simple Google search.
User-Friendly Reports
The reports themselves are well-organized and easy to navigate. Information is categorized into logical sections—contact details, criminal records, assets, associates—making it simple to find specific data points without wading through raw database dumps.
Mobile Access
TruthFinder offers mobile apps for both Android and iOS, earning solid ratings (4.4+ stars) on both platforms. This makes on-the-go searches convenient for sales professionals meeting prospects or recruiters conducting quick research between interviews.
Want the Full System?
Galadon Gold members get live coaching, proven templates, and direct access to scale what's working.
Learn About Gold →TruthFinder's Limitations and Known Issues
No background check tool is perfect, and TruthFinder has documented shortcomings you should understand before subscribing:
Accuracy Concerns
Public records are inherently imperfect. Information can be outdated, incomplete, or associated with the wrong individual—especially for common names. In fact, the FTC filed a complaint against TruthFinder in September 2023, alleging that the company made claims about people having criminal or arrest records when the records were merely traffic tickets. The settlement required TruthFinder to pay $5.8 million and implement stricter accuracy monitoring.
Not FCRA-Compliant
This bears repeating: you cannot legally use TruthFinder for employment decisions, tenant screening, or credit determinations. Doing so violates federal law. If you're a business professional who needs compliant background checks, TruthFinder isn't the answer.
Subscription Cancellation Friction
User reviews frequently mention difficulty canceling memberships and unexpected recurring charges. While TruthFinder does offer online cancellation through account settings, some users report continued charges after attempting to cancel. The customer service line is available Monday through Friday, 7am-4pm Pacific time—not ideal if you need help outside business hours.
Information Removal Requests
Some users report frustration when trying to remove inaccurate information from their own profiles. TruthFinder states they cannot alter public records at their original source, only suppress reports from their platform.
When TruthFinder Makes Sense (and When It Doesn't)
Good Use Cases for TruthFinder:
- Personal curiosity about online connections or dating matches
- Reconnecting with lost contacts or family members
- Monitoring your own digital footprint and public information
- Quick research on individuals for personal safety reasons
- Verifying basic contact information for personal purposes
When You Need Something Different:
- Employment screening: Requires FCRA-compliant services
- Tenant verification: Requires FCRA-compliant services
- B2B lead research: Better served by sales intelligence platforms
- Email and contact verification: Dedicated tools offer better accuracy
- One-time lookups: The subscription model becomes cost-prohibitive
Better Alternatives for B2B Professionals
If you're in sales, recruiting, or marketing, your needs likely differ from TruthFinder's sweet spot. Here are more appropriate tools for professional use:
For Contact Discovery and Verification
Rather than a general background check, B2B professionals typically need verified contact information. Our free Email Verifier instantly validates whether an email address is deliverable, risky, or invalid—saving you from bounced emails and damaged sender reputation. Pair it with our Email Finder to locate business emails using just a name and company.
For Phone Number Research
If you're trying to reach prospects by phone, our Mobile Number Finder specializes in finding cell phone numbers from email addresses or LinkedIn profiles—purpose-built for sales outreach rather than general background research.
For Comprehensive Background Information
Our free Background Checker provides comprehensive reports with trust scores, designed specifically for business contexts. While not FCRA-compliant for employment decisions (you'd need specialized services for that), it's excellent for understanding prospects, validating business contacts, and conducting due diligence on potential partners.
For professional-grade data enrichment at scale, tools like RocketReach or Lusha offer B2B-focused contact databases with verified professional information.
Beyond Tools: Complete Lead Generation
These tools are just the start. Galadon Gold gives you the full system for finding, qualifying, and closing deals.
Join Galadon Gold →How to Get Maximum Value from Any Background Check Service
Regardless of which tool you choose, follow these best practices:
Cross-Reference Critical Information
Never rely on a single source for important decisions. Verify key details through multiple channels—company websites, LinkedIn profiles, direct confirmation, or official records where appropriate.
Understand Legal Boundaries
Know what you can and cannot legally do with background information. Using consumer background check services for employment or housing decisions violates the FCRA and can result in significant penalties.
Set Calendar Reminders for Subscriptions
If you subscribe to TruthFinder or similar services, immediately set a reminder to cancel before the next billing cycle if you only need temporary access. Many users end up paying for months they didn't intend to.
Request Your Own Report First
Before paying for a subscription, consider what information might be available about you. Understanding what these services reveal—and their accuracy limitations—helps calibrate your expectations for reports on others.
The Bottom Line on TruthFinder Background Checks
TruthFinder is a legitimate service that does what it advertises: aggregating public records into searchable reports. For personal use cases like reconnecting with old friends or checking your own digital footprint, it can be valuable.
However, B2B professionals should recognize its limitations. The subscription model, FCRA non-compliance, and documented accuracy concerns make it less suitable for professional applications. Sales teams, recruiters, and marketers are better served by purpose-built tools that offer verified business contact information and targeted research capabilities.
If you need background information for business purposes, start with our free Background Checker to see what's available at no cost. For ongoing needs, evaluate whether TruthFinder's unlimited model or a combination of specialized tools better fits your workflow and budget.
Want the Full System?
Galadon Gold members get live coaching, proven templates, and direct access to scale what's working.
Learn About Gold →Ready to Scale Your Outreach?
Join Galadon Gold for live coaching, proven systems, and direct access to strategies that work.
Join Galadon Gold →