Truthfinder
TruthFinder is an American online service launched in March 2015 that aggregates public records to deliver background reports on individuals, encompassing details such as criminal records, arrest histories, traffic offenses, contact information, property data, and social media profiles.[1][2] Operating on a subscription model with monthly fees ranging from $4.99 to $29.73, it enables unlimited searches primarily for personal use, including reverse phone lookups and address histories, while prohibiting employment or tenant screening to comply with regulations like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).[3][4] The platform has gained popularity for its comprehensive data aggregation from billions of public records, positioning it among leading consumer background check tools, though it emphasizes that reports are not guaranteed accurate and should not substitute official verifications.[5][6] Despite its utility in informing personal decisions, TruthFinder has encountered significant regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges over report accuracy and compliance. In September 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settled charges against TruthFinder and affiliated entities for deceiving consumers about the completeness and accuracy of background reports, as well as marketing them for FCRA-prohibited purposes like hiring, resulting in a $5.8 million penalty shared with Instant Checkmate.[7] Additional class-action lawsuits have alleged unlawful data practices, including spam text advertising without consent and the sale of unverified reports leading to adverse outcomes like job losses.[8][9] These issues highlight ongoing concerns in the industry regarding data privacy, factual reliability, and adherence to consumer protection laws, prompting TruthFinder to implement corrective measures such as enhanced disclosures.[7]Overview
Founding and Corporate Structure
TruthFinder was founded in March 2015 by entrepreneurs Kris Kibak and Joey Rocco in San Diego, California, with the initial aim of providing access to public records amid growing concerns over online privacy and personal safety.[10] [2] The company originated under PubRec, LLC, which developed background check services including TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate, focusing on aggregating data from public sources such as court records and social media.[11] In January 2020, PubRec merged with PeopleConnect Holdings, Inc., integrating TruthFinder into a broader portfolio that includes platforms like Intelius and Classmates.com.[11] [12] PeopleConnect Holdings operates as the parent entity, headquartered in San Diego, with Steven Gray serving as president and CEO, overseeing strategy across its consumer-facing data services.[12] [13] This structure positions TruthFinder within a privately held group emphasizing digital identity and public records aggregation, without public disclosure of detailed ownership beyond the merger.[14]Mission and Target Users
TruthFinder's stated mission is to equip users with accessible tools for accessing public records to facilitate connections, enhance personal protection, and maintain awareness regarding individuals in their personal networks.[2] This objective emphasizes empowering non-professional users to conduct informal inquiries into background details, such as criminal histories, contact information, and social profiles, drawn from aggregated public data sources.[2] The service positions itself as a consumer-oriented platform rather than a formal background check provider compliant with regulations like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), focusing on self-directed information gathering for everyday decision-making.[15] The primary target users are individual consumers in the United States seeking to verify or expand knowledge about known or potential contacts, including friends, relatives, neighbors, dates, or roommates.[16] These users typically include parents vetting caregivers, individuals assessing romantic interests for safety, or people reconnecting with acquaintances through reverse phone lookups, address histories, or email traces.[17] TruthFinder markets to a broad adult audience without requiring professional credentials, appealing to those prioritizing convenience over exhaustive verification, though it explicitly disclaims use for employment, tenancy, or credit decisions.[15] Subscription models cater to occasional or frequent personal searches, with reports designed for quick readability rather than legal admissibility.[5]History
Inception and Early Years (2015–2018)
TruthFinder was established in 2015 in San Diego, California, by PubRec LLC as a consumer-oriented public records search platform, building on the infrastructure of its sister service Instant Checkmate, which PubRec had launched in 2010.[2][11] The platform's creation was motivated by concerns over personal safety in an increasingly digital world, where individuals frequently encountered others online without verifiable background details, prompting the development of tools to access aggregated public data for identity verification and risk assessment.[2] In its inaugural year, TruthFinder introduced subscription-based access to reports compiling information from federal, state, and local public records, including addresses, criminal histories, and contact details, differentiating itself through user-friendly interfaces and broad data coverage without requiring FCRA-compliant employment screening protocols.[2] Early operations emphasized proprietary data aggregation techniques inherited from PubRec's prior ventures, enabling rapid report generation to meet demand from users seeking personal or familial insights.[11] From 2016 to 2018, the service expanded its database integrations and refined search algorithms to enhance report comprehensiveness, achieving notable user adoption as a go-to resource for non-professional background checks amid rising public interest in online privacy and vetting tools.[18] By mid-2018, TruthFinder was positioned as a leading provider capable of delivering detailed profiles on most U.S. residents, supported by PubRec's established expertise in public records compilation and marketing strategies that highlighted its utility for everyday protective inquiries.[18]Expansion and Acquisitions (2019–Present)
In January 2020, PubRec, LLC—the San Diego-based operator of TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate—merged with PeopleConnect Holdings, Inc., a Seattle-headquartered firm owned by H.I.G. Capital and encompassing brands like Intelius and Classmates.com.[11][19] The transaction, advised by Livingstone Partners for PubRec, integrated TruthFinder's background check technology with PeopleConnect's broader public records and people-search portfolio, aiming to bolster data resolution, customer value, and competitive positioning in the online information services sector.[11] Post-merger, PeopleConnect expanded TruthFinder's service scope amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny of the industry. In August 2024, TruthFinder rolled out enhanced personal safety tools, aggregating public records for risk assessment and protective insights.[10] By October 2025, the platform introduced family reunification features, enabling searches via names, phones, and records to aid reconnections with relatives, reflecting adaptation to user demands for relational and security-focused applications.[20] These developments occurred under PeopleConnect's management, which earned recognition as one of San Diego's best workplaces for the 10th consecutive year in April 2025, signaling operational stability.[21] No further major acquisitions by TruthFinder or its immediate parent were publicly reported through 2025, though the 2020 merger consolidated assets from prior PeopleConnect deals, such as Intelius (2015), to support scaled data aggregation without new entity purchases in the period.[22]Services and Features
Search Capabilities and Report Types
TruthFinder enables users to conduct searches primarily through its people search tool, where individuals enter a first and last name, optionally refined by city and state for greater precision. Additional reverse lookup options allow searches by phone number, email address, or physical address to identify associated persons and details. The platform supports unlimited searches for subscribers, drawing from aggregated public records, court documents, and other databases across the United States.[15][5] Reports generated from these searches fall into categories such as Person Reports, Phone Reports, Email Reports, and Address Reports, each tailored to the input type while compiling linked data. Person Reports, the most common output from name-based searches, provide a comprehensive background profile including:- Personal Information: Full name, aliases, age or date of birth (when available), and current/previous addresses.[23]
- Contact Details: Associated phone numbers, email addresses, and location history.[23]
- Relatives and Associates: Lists of possible family members, roommates, or connections.[5]
- Criminal and Legal Records: Arrests, convictions, sex offender status, traffic violations, court cases, and civil judgments from police and public court records.[5][24]
- Property and Financial Data: Ownership records, estimated assets, and liens.[5]
- Professional and Educational History: Employment details and schooling, where sourced from public records.[5]
- Online Presence: Social media profiles, dating site accounts, and mentions from deep web scans.[25][24]