2022's Spokeo Review: Is It Legit or a Scam? [Pros & Cons]

Spokeo was created in 2006. Over the past 16 years, they evolved into a social search engine that has over 20 million monthly visitors. As part of the Deloitte tech fast 500 and Inc. 5000, Spokeo collects over 12 billion records from over 1000 data sources to ensure you know who you are dealing with online.

With an A+ BBB rating and hundreds of positive Spokeo reviews, the intelligence service has helped millions of people connect with old friends and even prevent online fraud.

We delve deeper into Spokeo to see whether it truly is the all-in-one online background investigation site.

In our review of Spokeo, we will cover everything from types of background checks available, to plans and pricing to ease of use.

So stay around to find out more.

Key Highlights

Spokeo uses court records to unveil any criminal records, sex offenses, and DUIs.

Results are always guaranteed and accurate.

Using billions of records: property records, social networks, consumer and business records.

All basic searches are free of any costs.

Types of Background Checks Offered

Spokeo uses a wide variety of search options to help you get the information you need. Numerous Spokeo background check reviews have testified that s could find the person they were looking for by only inputting limited information.

You can run a basic online Spokeo background check with the following information:

• Name and Surname
• Email address
• Physical address
• Profile names for social media and dating profiles
• Mobile number
• Phone number

Spokeo also offers an advanced search option with which you can include:

• Middle name
• Age
• State of residence
• The Name and surname of a relative

The following data can be obtained:

• information (names, email addresses, aliases, phone numbers)
• Personal details (birthday date, marital status, education background, interests)
• Location history (current and previous addresses, neighbors)
• Financial data (estimated salary, investments, properties owned)
• Family background (marriage records, family , birth records)
• Criminal records (sex offenses, DUIs, other criminal offenses)
• Social media s (names, dating sites, gaming and app s)

With Spokeo’s people search tool, you can:

• Avoid being scammed by an online seller
• Track down family and long lost friends
• Stop unwanted calls and texts
• Protect your own online presence
• Identify unknown calls and texts
• Background check suspicious email addresses
• Connect with potential customers and grow sales
• who lives at an address
• Check your spouse’s online activity and whether they are cheating
• social media profiles
• Access employee’s monitor usage, search reports, etc. as a business

What Is Spokeo Background Check Service Best For?

The Spokeo people search tool can be used for a variety of purposes. Numerous reviews on Spokeo have reported that the service can be used to look for lost friends or loved ones, check spouse’s online activity, or prevent fraud.

With the main aim of using billions of public sources, Spokeo only provides background screening based on information gathered through these public records. The online service should not be used to determine an individual’s eligibility for employment, credit, insurance, or tenancy, or anything else that falls under the FCRA law (Fair Credit Reporting Act). In case that is your purpose, you should consider using background check services that offer such reports.

Spokeo gathers information from countless sources and combines it for you to browse through. They do not evaluate or the data collected.

Pros	Cons
Affordable service	Not accredited by the FCRA law (Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Quick process	Can’t be used to screen potential employees or tenants
Easy to use site and mobile app	Only available in the United States of America
Uses billions of sources for an accurate online background check
Online Spokeo reviews are positive and any complaints have been resolved

Spokeo Reviews and Online Reputation

Spokeo BBB rating of A shows that it is seen as a go-to social search network. From a total of 390 Spokeo complaints within the last 3 years, 177 have been resolved during the last 12 months. 144 of the overall complaints were listed as billing issues while 108 complaints were listed as problems with the service. From what we’ve gathered the majority of complaints dealt with pricing misunderstandings which the Spokeo company issued refunds to. Many other complaints also come from non- who requested their personal information to be removed. Spokeo does use public information that is listed on business websites, social networks, real estate listings, phone books, and marketing surveys.

Some Spokeo reviews state that the information provided isn’t accurate, whilst others sing it praises. Legit Spokeo reviews can be found on their website itself.

Spokeo Alternatives

Here’s an overview of Spokeo alternatives and what they offer.

Spokeo vs BeenVerified

BeenVerified shares and provides almost the same features and services as Spokeo. The main difference is that Spokeo offers a limited number of searches per member whereas BeenVerified’s hip includes an unlimited search. Also, BeenVerified’s advantage over Spokeo is that it has an iOS mobile app and Spokeo does not. On the other hand, Spokeo rating is an A+ on BBB while BeenVerified is a B- BBB. 

Read our full BeenVerified review here.

Spokeo vs TruthFinder

The main difference between Spokeo and TruthFinder lies in the free people search tool that Spokeo provides. Although the free option gives you only basic information such as a name, last name, and perhaps address or a phone number, it is still free. TruthFinder, in comparison, has a better rating earned through its detailed and accurate reports.

Read our full TruthFinder review here.

Spokeo vs Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate and Spokeo don’t differ much in services as they both offer a wide range of search parameters and extensive reports. Spokeo wins the game by having more plans to choose from but Instant Checkmate is a bit more affordable.

Read our full Instant Checkmate review here. 

Wrap Up

By using Spokeo’s online search, are able to obtain numerous background reports, to protect themselves from online scammers and fraudsters. Individuals who want to track down family or lost friends will also benefit from using Spokeo.

Referring to hundreds of Spokeo reviews, it is clear that the identity and address verification service can bring peace of mind to . Spokeo is your one-stop online verification site, no matter your needs.