BackgroundChecks.org – Legit Service or Just a Middleman?

Disclosure: Some links, like Social Catfish, are tools I’ve personally used and found helpful. If you use them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are based on genuine experience.

Living in Boise, a city known for its friendly vibe and growing tech scene, I was excited about my job interview but cautious about my digital footprint. I’d heard stories of employers digging into candidates’ backgrounds, so I decided to check mine using BackgroundChecks.org, which advertised itself as a free resource for finding public records. The website looked promising, with sections on criminal records, address history, and even a “Safest Cities” ranking that listed Boise as one of the top places to live due to its low crime rates.

I started with a reverse phone lookup, entering my phone number to see what information was out there. To my surprise, instead of showing me results, BackgroundChecks.org redirected me to Intelius. I was confused—why wasn’t I getting the information directly? I tried again, this time searching with my name and address, hoping to see if anything odd popped up, like a mistaken criminal record or an old address from when my family lived in Meridian, Idaho. Once again, I was sent to another site—this time, BeenVerified.

Both Intelius and BeenVerified are well-known, legitimate background check services, but the redirection felt off. Why was BackgroundChecks.org sending me elsewhere instead of providing the information itself? It dawned on me that BackgroundChecks.org might be a third-party website, likely earning affiliate commissions or sponsorship fees by funneling traffic to these platforms. This realization made me question its legitimacy as a standalone people finder or background check tool. It seemed more like a middleman than a direct service provider.

The Redirect Experience: Intelius and BeenVerified

When I landed on Intelius after my phone number search, I was prompted to pay for a report. Intelius offered a 5-day trial for $0.95, but the fine print mentioned a $34.95 monthly subscription if I didn’t cancel. BeenVerified, where I was sent after searching my name and address, had a similar setup: a $1 trial for 7 days, then $36.89 per month. Both platforms provided some basic information—like my current address in Boise and my mom’s name, Lisa Winslow—but required payment for full reports. I didn’t proceed with either because I wasn’t comfortable with the high costs and the lack of transparency from BackgroundChecks.org.

I later learned that this redirection model is common among third-party websites. BackgroundChecks.org aggregates traffic and earns money through affiliate partnerships, directing users to services like Intelius for phone lookups and BeenVerified for name or address searches. While this isn’t necessarily a scam, it felt misleading, especially since their website markets itself as a direct source for free public records. For someone like me, a young professional just starting out, this lack of clarity was frustrating.

BackgroundChecks.org is a legitimate website, but it acts more as a referral service than a direct background check provider. Instead of showing results itself, it redirects users to paid third-party services like Intelius or BeenVerified. While not a scam, it can be misleading for those expecting free or instant results directly from the site.

Discovering Fake Social Media Profiles

Determined to take control of my background check, I decided to try another platform: Spokeo. I’d read that Spokeo was cheaper and more transparent, with a 7-day trial for just $0.95 that included full reports. I visited Spokeo, entered my phone number for a reverse lookup, and checked my background. The report was thorough, listing my current address, my dad’s name (Mark Winslow), and even my high school in Eagle, Idaho. But what shocked me was finding several fake social media accounts created with my name and photos.

There were at least three fraudulent Facebook profiles using my name and images from my public Instagram account. One even claimed I lived in Nampa, a nearby city, and listed a fake job at a company I’d never heard of. This discovery was alarming, as I didn’t want potential employers stumbling across these profiles. Using Spokeo’s detailed social media data, I noted down the fake accounts and contacted Facebook’s help team. After submitting proof of my identity, they removed the profiles within a week. Spokeo’s transparency and affordability made this process straightforward, and I appreciated that they didn’t hide their pricing or redirect me elsewhere.

Why I Chose Spokeo

Spokeo stood out for several reasons. First, their pricing was clear: $0.95 for a 7-day trial that gave me access to unlimited reports, including address history, phone numbers, and social media profiles. Unlike Intelius and BeenVerified, which charged upwards of $25-$35 per month after trials, Spokeo’s monthly plan was only $19.95, making it a budget-friendly option for someone like me, just starting my career. Second, Spokeo’s interface was user-friendly, with no unnecessary redirects or confusing prompts. I could search by phone, name, or address and get results instantly.

Another thing I liked was Spokeo’s focus on providing useful information upfront. Before paying, I could see partial results, like my age (20) and my family’s connection to Boise, which helped me confirm I was on the right track. This transparency gave me confidence in the service, unlike BackgroundChecks.org’s redirect-heavy approach.

Social Catfish: A Great Option for Image-Based Searches

While Spokeo was perfect for my needs, I also learned about Social Catfish during my research, especially for those worried about fake profiles or catfishing scams. Social Catfish specializes in image-based searches, which is ideal if you want to verify someone’s identity using a photo. For example, if you’re dating online and suspect someone’s profile picture isn’t real, Social Catfish can cross-reference the image across social media and other platforms to confirm authenticity. I didn’t need this feature, but for anyone concerned about online scams—especially seniors or those new to online dating—it’s a fantastic tool. Social Catfish’s pricing starts at $5.99 per month, making it another affordable option.

Is BackgroundChecks.org Legit?

So, is BackgroundChecks.org legit? Technically, yes—it’s a real website that provides some useful resources, like their “Safest Cities” rankings, which highlight places like Boise for their low crime rates. However, as a people finder or background check tool, it’s not what it seems. Instead of delivering results directly, it redirects users to third-party services like Intelius and BeenVerified, likely earning affiliate fees in the process. This doesn’t make it a scam, but it’s not the transparent, standalone service it appears to be.

For comparison, Intelius and BeenVerified are legitimate platforms with A+ BBB ratings, but their higher costs and subscription models didn’t suit my needs. Intelius, for instance, charged $0.95 for a 5-day trial but jumped to $34.95 monthly, and BeenVerified’s $36.89 monthly fee felt steep for a one-time check. Spokeo, on the other hand, offered a more affordable and direct experience, which is why I recommend it for anyone in a similar situation.

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Information Wisely

My experience taught me a valuable lesson about navigating online background check services. As a young professional in Boise, I wanted to ensure my digital footprint was clean before starting my first job. BackgroundChecks.org seemed promising but left me frustrated with its redirects and lack of direct results. Spokeo, however, delivered the transparency and affordability I needed, helping me uncover and remove fake social media profiles that could have harmed my reputation.

If you’re considering a background check, whether for a job, online dating, or personal peace of mind, I recommend skipping third-party redirect sites like BackgroundChecks.org. Instead, go straight to a reputable service like Spokeo for general searches or Social Catfish for image-based verification. Both are cost-effective and user-friendly, ensuring you get the information you need without hidden fees or unexpected redirects. By taking control of your background check, you can protect your personal information and start your next chapter—whether it’s a new job in Boise or a fresh adventure elsewhere—with confidence.