Should you be aware of people’s search sites? Keep reading to find out!
In the era of booming technology, finding your long-lost friends or colleagues online is a piece of cake.
Everyone with the internet has open access to social networks, public records and government databases, and other online tools.
People Search sites claim to connect people who have lost touch with one another by collecting and selling personal information online.
In this guide, you’ll find what People Search sites are, how they work, and what kind of information they provide. Let’s get started!
What are People Search Sites?
As the name suggests, People search sites are online search platforms that specialize in collecting, storing, and selling information.
These sites give people the ability to track people online, typically using a specific search engine.
These sites provide a wealth of information about a specific person for a pocket change.
The information these sites uncover includes full name, gender, age, city name, address, phone number, family members, and even criminal records.
In addition, these sites are also used to verify information that you have on someone like your new friend, neighbor, or potential employee.
Read: How To Delete Your Personal Information From People Search Sites?
How Do People Search Sites Work?
People search sites typically collect data from local, state, and federal public records, public forums, and social media platforms.
In addition, they may also purchase information from data brokers and private companies.
These sites usually require you to subscribe or to purchase a one-off report. Some sites are ad-supported and give users free access to the information.
However, for more in-depth background reports, you have to pay higher fees.
What Information May Show On These Sites?
What can appear on the People search reports vary person to person.
Depending on the site you are using and the pricing plan, the information could include:
- Identification details such as name, previous names, and aliases.
- Age and sex
- Qualification level
- Profession and monthly income
- Marital status and divorce records
- Past and current addresses
- Phone number and email IDs
- Family details, including children, parents, and extended family
- Social media profiles
- Property records
- Political affiliations
- Civil and criminal records
Also Read: PeopleG2 Review | Legit Or Scam?
How to Keep Your Data Safe While Using People Search Sites?
Although there are many advantages of using these sites, there are many dangers associated with them as they consolidate your data and post it online without your consent.
So the privacy issues regarding People Search Sites are countless, and laws governing what they can or cannot disclose are confusing or don’t exist.
Here are some tips to guard your identity against these sites:
- Be cautious about what you post on social media, and avoid posing photos with recognizable places and backgrounds.
- Do a general search on these sites from time to time to see if your information is available.
- If you find your personal information on these sites, fill out an opt-out form to request the removal of your information.
- If you detect any suspicious activity, identity theft insurance and also fraud resolution services can help you restore your identity and cover entitled expenses.
- Be wary of putting your personal information on random websites as they make you register for free, but sell your information to third-party vendors.
- Block online tracking. You can block targeted advertising cookies in your browser settings.
- Turn off your social media settings to private, or else anyone might be able to collect your data and information.
How Much Does People Search Sites Cost?
Different sites have different pricing and plans.
The cost can depend on what type of information you need- criminal, personal, educational, etc. The cost also varies depending on how detailed you want the report to be.
To give you an idea, have a look at these top five people check sites and how much they charge.
| People check site | Price |
|---|---|
| Truthfinder | $28.05 a month |
| Instant Checkmate | $1 for 5 days |
| PeopleLooker | $1 for 7 days |
| BeenVerified | $28.89 a month |
| Checkr | $29.99 a month |
Can I Lookup Myself on People Search Sites?
Yes, you can look up anyone on people’s search sites, including yourself. You might be interested in looking yourself up out of curiosity. But actually, it is a good thing to do.
Sometimes you may find incorrect information about yourself on these sites, which you should get corrected.
Any incorrect or misleading information about you can lead to problems during a job interview process, the tenant application process, etc.
Many sites offer basic information for free, but you will have to pay money for a more detailed report.
Is It Possible To Remove Information From People Search Sites?
A lot of people’s search sites have opt-out pages where you can ask for certain information about yourself to get removed.
However, this is often a very arduous process and requires you to track down your record numbers, identify specific URLs, and whatnot.
Even if you get your information removed from one people search website, there are plenty of many other similar websites from where you would have to repeat the same thing again.
Also, sensitive information, such as criminal information, sex offender records, etc., is even more difficult to get removed.
You may even be required to access your nearest police station and get proof that the information about you is wrong.
All in all, it is simply very difficult to get your information removed from these people’s search websites, but it is possible.
Removing Court Records From the Internet
Wrapping Up
So people’s search sites are handy tools to dig for information on someone you think is suspicious or off.
If used properly, it can help in protecting yourself or someone you love; you can also get in touch with people you have lost touch with using it, among other things.
However, it can also cause trouble for you if you find incorrect information about yourself and do not get it fixed.
People Also Ask For
Are people search sites even legit?
Yes, people’s search sites are legit. These sites collect publicly and some privately available data & present it to the user in an easy and accessible format.
Do people search site offer accurate information?
Many renowned people search sites such as TruthFinder, BeenVerified, etc., offer updated and accurate information to a very large extent.
However, unfortunately, no site can offer 100% accurate information or cant take a guarantee against the information provided by them.
This is because, at the end of the day, these sites collect information from public records, and these records, which are their actual source, might be outdated or may have incorrect information.
Which are the best people search sites?
Some of our favorite people search sites are:
- TruthFinder
- BeenVerified
- Checkr
- PeopleLooker
- Instant Checkmate, etc.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
ARTICLE SOURCES
The US Workforce has a policy of producing high-quality content that follows industry standards by using primary sources, such as white papers and government data, alongside original reporting from reputable publishers. We also follow an editorial style where appropriate information about the topic can be found with due credit given when applicable.
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-people-search-sites-sell-your-information#:~:text=People%20search%20sites%2C%20also%20known,willing%20to%20pay%20for%20them.[↩]
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-protect-yourself-from-people-search-sites/[↩]
- https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-remove-your-information-from-people-search-sites/#:~:text=Find%20the%20Opt%2DOut%20Pages,name%20and%20%22opt%20out.%22[↩]