Initially, we found some resistance to background check services on Reddit – where privacy is of paramount concern – so there are a lot of posts helping users to remove their details from these kinds of services. Indeed, many Redditors were shocked by the huge amount of data background checkers could find on people. As an alternative to background check services, commenters also recommend hiring private investigators, but unless you’ve got a lot of money to burn that isn’t an ideal option.
However, looking past the skepticism there were some cases where background check services had been vital. Whether it’s running background checks on future employees that will be working with children or have to make house calls to disturbing stories of dates with dark pasts. One truly remarkable case was a Redditor who was turned down for jobs because companies couldn’t find out information on them with their own background checks. So, this user ran a background check on themself, only to find out that they were apparently dead! Another user was particularly desperate to find a good background check service with so many different options available on the market – clearly, they hadn’t discovered our expert reviews yet.
Cautionary tales
Not every Redditor had a great experience with background checkers. For example, some were put off by Spokeo because its free trial immediately turns into a paid subscription. Although this is in the terms and conditions, users were unimpressed with the service’s inflexibility to refund those customers who were caught by surprise. Spokeo isn’t the only one that got called out for being too quick to charge after a free trial: Intelius annoyed Reddit users by charging before the trial even finished. One Reddit user was frustrated by InfoTracer, but left them after being particularly dissatisfied with the background checker’s customer support.
Unfortunately for some Redditors, it wasn’t always possible to find what they needed when using background check services. One example was a user who enlisted TruthFinder to help discover their deceased father’s past but couldn’t discover the answers they were looking for.
Background check success stories
There are plenty of positive experiences to be found on Reddit though. One user recommended BeenVerified for age checks before going on dates. The service was also endorsed by another user as being better than Intelius for consumer searches. Intelius was recommended by another Redditor because it provides country-wide checks, ideal for employers working in a highly confidential and secure environment. Another suggested Instant Checkmate thanks to its ease of use and that it helped them find exactly what they needed.
Although Spokeo’s free trial irked some Redditors, the service was praised for running some of the most affordable background checks. Spokeo’s search ranges also impressed another user, as you can search by name, number, address, email address, or even username – perfect for reconnecting with lost friends and family.
All in all, Reddit users’ experiences differed drastically based on what they needed to use the background check service for. While you’re unlikely to see a person’s entire life history (like what they had for breakfast this morning), background check services certainly have their uses. The most helpful thing to do while searching for the ideal background check service is to thoroughly read expert reviews and take advantage of any free trials before you make your final decision.
Richard C.
