Consumer-Warning.org People Search Tips, Tricks, and Advice
Beware of Background Check Scams
Posted by Admin on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
“Beware Of Online Background Check Scams!
I Can’t Believe The Hours I’ve Wasted On These So Called Background Check Sites……”
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t always believe what companies claim on their sites. It’s ridiculous and I’m frustrated to be honest. That’s one of the reasons why I created this site.
Why Do People Need Background Checks?
Conducting Background Checkes is incredibly beneficial for everyone. What if you’re dating online and want to see if someone’s telling the truth about their age? How ’bout screening your babysitter? Maybe you’re looking to find your old sweetheart and see if they’re married? There are many reasons why you’d want to pick up the following information on someone:
- Address (Do they really live where they claim to?)
- Phone Number (Can I actually call them?)
- Age / Date of Birth (What’s their Real Age?)
- Marital Status (Are they still single? MARRIED??)
- Estimated Income & Home Value (Do they have a job or own their own home?)
Jump to my Top Pick for Background Checks!*
So, I’m A Cheapskate… 
I tried to do the Cheap/Free approach at first. It’s kind of funny actually to think of how much time I wasted. Well, not really!?! So picture this…here I am doing a reverse phone search for this guy who just emailed me in response to a bookkeeping ad I posted. Then, I think I found him. I click on the link and it’s another search box wanting me to search for him again. So, I do and they want me to purchase before I see anything. So, I keep looking and finally figured out that I’m not going to find zilch until I purchase one of these things. I went through about 10 of them before I finally found the data. Then, I start going through my list to get a refund. Do these companies even know what in the world customer service is????
And The Winner Is…(Drumroll please)
Anyway, that was a debacle and I learned the hard way. But, the site I found the data on was Net Detective. I was actually surprised because it was a fair price according to the other sites out there. I got unlimited searches: search by name, search by email, search by address, search by phone, all UNLIMITED! Which by the way helps alot because some of those guys charge you up front then want to charge you everytime you search. One of the other things I thought was really cool with Net Detective was that they gave me a phone number to call if I had trouble. So, I couldn’t find this one person I was looking for info on and wanted to see if there was a better way. Rather than telling me the better way they actually looked up the record for me. Is that cool or what?
Click Here For Net Detective!*
* Includes Free Sex Offender Map! (effective. Jan 1, 2010)
Second Place Goes To…
In the runner-up spot, with very good customer care, great U.S. converage, and a pretty good size database is Complete Detective. Between these two services, you really cannot go wrong.
There are lots of third place winners, but too many to name. You are free to search google and go through the top 10 links you see. But don’t waste your time… I’ve already done that and I’m here to help you out.
So, thanks for listening to me ramble on… Anyways, I hope you’ll find this helpful when it comes time to do some effective Background Checkes online.
Category:
About This Site
My name is Kim and I am a freelance writer. I have over 30 years of experience in office management and administrative expertise. I specialize in handling customer service, training and writing for online businesses.
Writing has always been my passion. I am an avid animal lover who is combining my love of writing and animals together in the children’s books I am writing.
The Internet has opened up a whole new world for people of all ages. While most of us agree it’s changed our lives for the better, there are still precautions that you need to take. I want to help you navigate the Internet safely. However, being security conscious doesn’t stop with the Internet. This blog will be your source of information and education to keep you and your family safe online and offline.
While I wish the cost of maintaining a blog was free, it is not. The providers of some—though not all—of the sites mentioned are generous enough to provide compensation for my honest opinions about their products or services. I do not write about any product that I have not personally tried. Feel free to check out my full compensation disclosure.
Kim
In December 1916 a relative was put out for adoption. His mane was Charles Edward O’Connell. This was in Cook Cty, Chicago. He was in Children”s Home of Chgo. AS a day care person listed was Margraret Broderick 425 W 79 th St.. Chicago. How do I find him. He’s probably not living.
Hi Jim:
Net Detective provides unlimited people searches. You can also search the SS database for death records.
http://www.netdetective.net/
Hope this helps!
Kim
I’ve always wanted to know, how, why and is it legal for search engines to charge a fee for what is supposed to be public records.
Hi Cajun Queen:
I hope this finds you well.
The purpose is that Net Detective combines all databases in one service. Most people could spend hours or even weeks trying to find the information tbey are looking for. There are many advantages to paying a one-time fee to a service like Net Detective. I would suggest reviewing this article on our blog:
http://consumer-warning.org/public-records/top-sites-for-court-records/
Net Detective has a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
http://www.netdetective.net/
Hope this helps!
Warm regards,
Kim
I used Net Detective several years ago and was not happy. Is the programs any better? I would like to give it another shot but am a little leary….
Thanks. Suzanne
Hi Suzanne:
I hope this finds you well.
I would be happy to answer any specific questions about Net Detective that you have. Or if you have certain concerns, I can forward them to the support team at Net Detective.
I would suggest that you look over the website and let me know if you have any questions:
http://www.netdetective.net/
Net Detective has a 90-day satisfaction guarantee and a toll free number for customer service.
Hope this helps!
Warm regards,
Kim
Based on your recommendation, I just used NetDetective. A horrible service! I’ve found more info via search engines than what they had.
Hi Kathy:
I hope this finds you well.
I would be happy to contact the support team at Net Detective for you. However, I would need more information. Or you can contact them directly:
Net Detective has a 90-day satisfaction guarantee and a toll free number for customer service.
1-800-853-9773
Please let me know if you want me to contact customer service on your behalf.
Warm regards,
Kim
WHATS THE BEST WAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT A LAWYER. I WANNA NO IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THE BAD EXPERIENCE THAT I DID
Hi Deb:
I hope this finds you well.
You may wish to contact the Better Business Bureau or the Bar Association in your state when checking on an attorney.
You can do background checks through Net Detective.
http://www.netdetective.net/
Hope this helps.
Warm regards,
Kim
I don’t want three years of searches I am only needing the one right now. Isn’t there a search site that you pay as you go and NOT get ripped off?
Hi there:
I hope this finds you well.
We only review sites that we have personally used. You will pay more on a “search as you go” basis. A one-time fee of $29.00 for three years is far less expensive. Net Detective also has a 100% 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
Kim
Noone is mentioning the monthly fee that net detective charges. Whats up with that?
Hi Jim:
I hope this finds you well.
There are no monthly fees for the basic NetDetective membership. The fee is a one-time fee of $29.00 for unlimited searches for 3 years.
http://www.netdetective.net/
Please let us know if you have further questions.
Warm regards,
Kim
i want to know my family background information
Hi Memuna:
I hope this finds you well.
Net Detective offers a variety of options for performing searches. I would suggest checking out their website:
http://www.netdetective.net/
If you have any specific questions, please let me know.
Best wishes,
Kim
Does this do a credit check as well or just a criminal check?
Hi Brett:
I hope this finds you well.
Net Detective allows you to access a free credit report on yourself. If you have any further questions, please let us know.
http://www.netdetective.net/
Warm regards,
Kim
Net detective did nothung for me but take my money and gave no info you must work for them …
Hi Yolanda:
This is an independent website where we review products and give our honest opinion of them. We do not work for the companies.
If you have a problem or question regarding Net Detective, I would be happy to pass it on to their support team for you. Or you can email them at: support@hdpublishing.com
They also have a toll free number if you wish to call them: 1-800-853-9773
Hope this helps!
can you check out a lawyer in a firm in London UK? I need to check him out….Please respond
Hi Theodore:
I hope this finds you well.
Net Detective does have an International search option.
http://www.netdetective.net/
You may wish to contact the Net Detective support team with specific questions about searching the background in Europe. You can reach them at:
support@hdpublishing.com
Hope this helps!
how can I see what employers are looking at when they have background checks as part of applying for thier business.
Hi Lisa,
Great question! There are many programs that allow potential employers to run background checks on employees. It is not guaranteed that performing a background check in one will return all of the same records as another. That being said, our products criminal data is updated monthly and many other types and sources updated on a monthly or quarterly basis based on availability.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact our support staff at 1-800-853-9773 or email us at support@hdpublishing.com.
Hello Vick,
I apologize that you were not satisfied with the product. If there is anything we can do to help, please contact us at support@hdpublishing.com.