Anaya Nolan
TruthFinder is a public records search service that provides access to information such as phone numbers, addresses, contact information, previous arrests, criminal convictions, traffic citations, and sex offender status. While there is nothing illegal about using TruthFinder to perform background checks, as it only searches public records, the information obtained may not be admissible in a court of law. This is because TruthFinder is not a private investigator and is therefore limited in the depth of information it can provide. For comprehensive background checks that can be used in legal cases, it is recommended to hire a private investigator. Additionally, TruthFinder is not a consumer reporting agency, and it is prohibited to use the information obtained from their website for any purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), such as screening tenants or employees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality | It is legal to perform a background check on someone using TruthFinder. |
| Data sources | TruthFinder is a public records search service that aggregates data from census records, court documents, birth records, arrest records, etc. |
| Data usage | TruthFinder is not a consumer reporting agency and cannot be used for purposes governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). |
| Accuracy | TruthFinder is not 100% accurate as it relies solely on public records, which may be outdated or incomplete. |
| Privacy | TruthFinder searches are anonymous, and the individual being searched will not know. |
| Law enforcement | TruthFinder may disclose personal information to law enforcement upon request or as required by a court order or government regulations. |
| Membership | TruthFinder offers monthly, three-monthly, and phone lookup plan memberships, with the option of a five-day trial. |
| Cost | The one-month membership costs $27.78/month, while the three-month subscription costs $26/month. The phone lookup plan and five-day trial costs are $4.99/month and $1, respectively. |
| Customer service | TruthFinder provides a customer service team, but they cannot verify the authenticity of the collected data. |
| Limitations | TruthFinder may not be sufficient for comprehensive background checks or locating missing persons; a private investigator may be needed for more in-depth information. |
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What You'll Learn
TruthFinder is a public records search service
TruthFinder is not a consumer reporting agency, and it is prohibited to use the site for any purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). According to the FCRA, it is illegal to use information from TruthFinder to screen tenants or potential employees. The site is intended for individuals looking up information on neighbors, nearby sex offenders, family members, old friends, potential dates, online buyers and sellers, and more.
While TruthFinder is a legitimate and legal service, it is important to note that it is not 100% accurate. The accuracy of the reports depends on the availability and timeliness of public records. Additionally, TruthFinder does not have in-depth information beyond what is available in public records, criminal records, or other documents. For more comprehensive background checks or to prepare a legal case, hiring a private investigator may be necessary.
TruthFinder has a privacy policy that outlines how user information is protected and shared. The company complies with all legally binding requests for information, including court orders and government regulations. They also reserve the right to monitor and record activity on the website and provide this information to law enforcement if necessary.
In conclusion, TruthFinder is a public records search service that provides individuals with access to a wealth of public record information. While it is a legal and useful tool, it has limitations in terms of accuracy and depth of information. For more comprehensive background checks or legal purposes, additional steps or resources may be required.
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It is not a consumer reporting agency
TruthFinder is a public records search engine that aggregates public records from all over the United States. It accesses multiple public records stored on the internet and presents them in a single, easy-to-read report. TruthFinder is not a consumer reporting agency and therefore, it is prohibited to use the site for any purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
TruthFinder does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It is a search tool and background check service that lets users find people in the U.S. by name, address, phone number, or email address. The information provided by TruthFinder includes police records (court records of driving citations, speeding tickets, felonies, misdemeanors, sexual offenses, mugshots, etc.), background reports, photos, court documents, address information, phone numbers, civil judgments, properties owned, and more.
TruthFinder cannot be used for any business purpose or Fair Credit Report Act purpose, including making decisions regarding hiring, promotion, reassignment, or continuation of any individual, including current or potential volunteers and household employees; making decisions regarding the rental or sale of a residential property; making decisions regarding the lending of money or the extension of credit; in connection with the underwriting of insurance; or for any purpose related to any eligibility determination about a person.
TruthFinder is a legitimate service that can be used to perform background checks on people. It is not illegal to use such an app, as it gathers information from public records. The individual being checked will not know that a background check has been performed on them.
TruthFinder is a useful resource for those looking to find family, friends, or former colleagues, as long as the product is not used for malicious purposes.
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It is not a private investigator
TruthFinder is a background-checking service that allows customers to access public records about individuals. It is one of the largest Public Records Search Services in the world, sourcing data exclusively from within the United States. It is not a consumer reporting agency, and it is prohibited to use the site for any purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
TruthFinder is not a private investigator. It is a search engine that is not 100% accurate. The software has access to public data and creates reports using the available information. It does not have in-depth information on criminal records or other public records. Private investigator firms have more extensive research capabilities and a larger pool of information. They can prepare a case with authentic and reliable information and can anonymously skip trace a person's whereabouts, which is admissible in a court of law.
TruthFinder has been criticised for incomplete and inaccurate data in its reports, with some finding the information less reliable than what might be obtained through a private investigator. In 2015, research found that TruthFinder could only identify 36% of the accounts that were personally identified on various platforms, compared to 70% identified by a professional social media database.
While TruthFinder is a registered business and its services are legal, it has been penalised by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for violating the FCRA. Under FCRA regulations, companies that compile personal information and sell background reports should not include inaccurate data in their reports, an issue that has been repeatedly raised with TruthFinder.
Therefore, while TruthFinder may be a useful tool for accessing public records, it is not a private investigator and has limitations in terms of the accuracy and depth of information it can provide.
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It is not 100% accurate
TruthFinder is a tool that offers people in the United States access to public records. Its search engine goes through public records, including census records, arrest records, birth records, and court documents, and returns reports that include a multitude of data. However, it is important to note that TruthFinder is not a private investigator and is not 100% accurate.
The accuracy of TruthFinder's reports is dependent on the availability and currency of public records. Some reports may be out-of-date or incomplete due to circumstances beyond TruthFinder's control. This typically occurs when public records are not updated or when specific states or counties do not release documents to the public. As a result, the accuracy of background check reports may be compromised.
TruthFinder does not have in-depth information beyond what is available in public records, criminal records, or other types of documents. It does not verify the authenticity of the collected data, and its customer service team does not have access to verification resources. For comprehensive background checks that can be used in legal cases, hiring a private investigator is recommended. Private investigator firms have access to a wider range of resources and can prepare background checks with reliable information that can be admissible in court.
While TruthFinder provides a large amount of data, the accuracy and depth of the information may vary. It is important to approach the information with caution and consider it as one source of information rather than a definitive representation of an individual's background.
In summary, TruthFinder can provide a starting point for gathering background information, but it is not 100% accurate and should not be solely relied upon, especially in legal contexts. For more comprehensive and reliable information, hiring a private investigator is a more suitable option.
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TruthFinder will comply with law enforcement requests
TruthFinder is a public records search service that aggregates public records from all over the United States. It is not a consumer reporting agency and, therefore, it is prohibited to use the site for any purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). TruthFinder provides information such as criminal records, addresses, phone numbers, properties, civil judgments, and more.
TruthFinder's terms of use state that it will comply with law enforcement requests. The company reserves the right to view, monitor, and record activity on the website without any notice to or permission from the user. Any information obtained by monitoring, reviewing, or recording a user's activity is subject to review by law enforcement organizations at the company's discretion. The company will also comply with all legally binding requests for information, including court orders.
TruthFinder has been accused of violating the FCRA by failing to ensure the accuracy of its reports and providing background reports to people without a permissible purpose. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charged TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate with deceiving users about the accuracy of their background reports and violating the FCRA while marketing reports for employee and tenant screening. The FTC noted that the companies used search engine advertising keywords related to employment and tenant screening, such as "best background check for landlords" and "pre-employment screening."
While TruthFinder may be used to gather information, it is important to note that there are strict guidelines as to how and why the service may be used. It is not illegal to use such an app, as it gathers information from public records, and does not invade anyone's privacy. However, users should exercise caution when using this tool and ensure that they are complying with applicable laws and regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
TruthFinder is a public records search service and not a Consumer Reporting Agency. It is not a private investigator and is not 100% accurate. Hence, it is prohibited to use the site for any purpose governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). TruthFinder is best used for personal information and not for making decisions that pertain to a court of law.
TruthFinder provides access to public records such as census records, birth records, court documents, arrest records, phone numbers, addresses, contact information, previous arrests, criminal convictions, traffic citations, and sex offender status.
TruthFinder is a completely legal service to use for performing background checks. However, TruthFinder states that it is the user's responsibility to ensure that their use of the website is permitted.
