Is TruthFinder Legit? An Honest, No-BS Review

The Short Answer: Yes, But With Major Caveats

TruthFinder is a legitimate business that has been operating since 2015. It aggregates public records and presents them in easy-to-read reports. The company holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and uses 256-bit encryption to protect user data.

However, "legitimate" doesn't mean "perfect" or even "worth your money." There are several significant issues you need to understand before subscribing.

How TruthFinder Actually Works

TruthFinder is a subscription-based service that compiles publicly available information from various sources including county, state, and federal databases. When you search for someone, the platform pulls data from public records, social media profiles, and commercial data providers to create a comprehensive report.

Reports can include:

• Contact information (phone numbers, addresses, email addresses)
• Criminal and traffic records
• Social media profiles
• Property and asset information
• Employment and education history
• Possible relatives and associates
• Bankruptcies and liens

The service offers multiple search methods—you can look up someone by name, phone number, email, or address. All searches are anonymous, so the person you're researching won't be notified.

TruthFinder Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay

This is where things get frustrating. TruthFinder doesn't offer single-report purchases or a free trial. Here's the actual pricing structure:

• People Search Subscription: $28.33/month (or $23.52/month if you pay for two months upfront)
• Reverse Phone Lookup: $4.99/month
• Reverse Email Lookup: $29.73/month
• Dark Web Monitoring add-on: $2.99/month
• PDF report downloads: Additional $3.99/month

All subscriptions auto-renew, and cancellation requires contacting their member care department. Many users report frustration with this process.

The FTC Action You Should Know About

In September 2023, the Federal Trade Commission took action against TruthFinder and its sister company, Instant Checkmate. The FTC alleged that these companies deceived users about the accuracy of their background reports and violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

According to the FTC complaint, TruthFinder misrepresented the comprehensiveness and accuracy of its reports while failing to implement reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy. This is a significant red flag that many review sites conveniently omit.

The Accuracy Problem

Here's something TruthFinder openly acknowledges: they compile reports using data from third-party providers and publicly accessible sources. Because they don't create or verify this information themselves, reports may contain inaccuracies or outdated details.

Common accuracy issues include:

• Outdated addresses and phone numbers
• Mix-ups with people who share common names
• Missing or incomplete criminal records
• Incorrect employment or education information
• Duplicate entries for the same person

User reviews consistently highlight accuracy as a major concern. One reviewer noted that information about a close relative "was a mile off" on personal details they could verify independently.

Critical Limitation: Not FCRA-Compliant

This is crucial: TruthFinder is NOT a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This means you legally cannot use TruthFinder reports for:

• Employment screening or hiring decisions
• Tenant screening
• Credit decisions
• Insurance determinations
• Any other FCRA-regulated purpose

If you're a business looking to screen potential hires or tenants, TruthFinder isn't just a poor choice—using it for these purposes could expose you to legal liability. You need an FCRA-compliant service for those use cases.

When TruthFinder Makes Sense

Despite the drawbacks, TruthFinder can be useful in specific situations:

• Reconnecting with lost contacts: Finding old friends, former colleagues, or distant relatives
• Personal safety checks: Getting a general sense of someone you've met online (though verify critical information through official sources)
• Self-research: Seeing what information about you is publicly accessible
• Multiple searches: If you need to look up several people, the unlimited search feature provides value

The key is treating TruthFinder reports as a starting point for research, not definitive truth.

Better Alternatives for Background Checks

Depending on your needs, there are more cost-effective options:

For Free Public Records

Much of what TruthFinder provides is publicly available at no cost if you're willing to do the legwork. State and county court websites offer free access to criminal records. Property records are typically available through county assessor websites. Sex offender registries are maintained by each state at no charge.

For B2B Professionals

If you're in sales, recruiting, or business development, you likely need different information than what consumer background check sites provide. Our free Background Checker tool provides comprehensive reports with trust scores specifically designed for professional use cases—without the monthly subscription trap.

For finding contact information, combining multiple tools often works better than relying on a single source. Use our Email Finder to locate professional email addresses from names and companies, and our Mobile Number Finder to discover cell phone numbers when you need direct contact information.

For Professional FCRA-Compliant Checks

If you need background checks for employment, housing, or other regulated purposes, you must use an FCRA-compliant service. Companies like GoodHire, Checkr, and Sterling offer compliant background checks with proper consent and dispute processes.

How to Cancel TruthFinder (If You're Already Subscribed)

If you've signed up and want out, here's what you need to know:

• TruthFinder now claims you can cancel online, but many users report being redirected to phone support
• Customer service is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time
• Document everything—take screenshots of your cancellation request
• Watch your credit card statements for unexpected charges after cancellation
• If charges continue, dispute them with your bank and file a complaint with your state attorney general

The Bottom Line: Is TruthFinder Worth It?

TruthFinder is a legitimate company offering a real service, but it's not the best value for most users. The subscription model forces you to pay $28+ monthly even if you only need one search. The accuracy issues are well-documented. And the FTC action raises serious questions about their business practices.

For casual curiosity, TruthFinder is expensive and potentially unreliable. For professional use, it's legally restricted from the most common business applications.

Before committing to a subscription, ask yourself:

• Can I find this information for free through government websites?
• Do I really need unlimited searches, or just one or two?
• Am I okay with potentially inaccurate information?
• Is there a free tool that meets my specific needs?

For many users, the answer is that free alternatives—including direct government record searches and specialized B2B tools like Galadon's Background Checker—will serve you better without the recurring cost and cancellation headaches.