Last Updated on September 2, 2024
You’ve just swiped right on a Tinder profile and the other user swiped right back. You become a match and strike up a casual conversation on the platform. One thing leads to another and you eventually decide to meet up and ‘take things to the next level.’ They look, talk, and act a lot like your soul mate. So, you waste no time in accepting their marriage proposal.
But hold on a minute!
Aren’t you taking things a bit too fast? Is the person exactly who they say they are, and how much background information do you know about them? What if they’re a fugitive or convicted sex offender? And what if they’re simply a brother or sister you’ve never met?
When these questions begin to cloud your mind about your potential love interest, then it’s best to trust your gut instincts and perform that all-too-important background check.
A subtle online search for background check tools will usually turn up Been Verified as one of the top recommended sites. But how legitimate is this platform? That question shall form the basis of this article.
What Is BeenVerified?
BeenVerified is a people search and background check company. The company offers consumer-initiated people search and criminal background check services either through its official website or mobile application known as “Background Check App.”
BeenVerified was founded in 2007 by Josh Levy and Ross Cohen. The company is headquartered in New York City, New York, United States. And while its website is available worldwide, the platform is only effective if searching for a person located in the United States.
Company Summary
- Name: BeenVerified
- Industry: Service
- Year Founded: 2007
- Founders: Josh Levy and Ross Cohen
- Countries of Origin: United States
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, United States
- Availability: Mainly searches people using databases within the United States; but website available worldwide
- Current Status: Active
- Official Website Link: https://www.beenverified.com/
What’s The Background Story Behind BeenVerified?
BeenVerified was founded by Josh Levy and Ross Cohen in 2007 but launched in 2009. The company initially focused on the small business market. However, it later evolved into a consumer-focused background check tool.
In 2009, BeenVerified launched its main mobile application, known as ‘Background Check App,’ for iPhone devices. The following year, the people search service unveiled a sex offender tracking app for both iPhone and Android devices.
In 2011, BeenVerified released yet another application known as Number Guru. Number Guru is a free app that allows users to search for phone numbers to establish the identity of mysterious callers and other strange numbers.
BeenVerified has continued to release more applications in a bid to streamline its people search services.
How Does BeenVerified Work?
BeenVerified works in the same manner as other popular people search and background check tools, such as TruthFinder.
The website collects information from thousands of public databases. It then avails this information in one place, making it accessible by a single search.
The following are examples of places BeenVerified sources its data;
• Federal, state, and county databases
• FBI and local crime databases
• United States census data
• Financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions
• Consumer reporting agencies
• Court records, such as convictions and bankruptcy filings
• Commercial business information, such as property records and magazine subscriptions
• Social media accounts
What Are BeenVerified’s Core Features?
1. People Search
People Search is BeenVerified’s flagship service. The service lets you locate a missing relative, lost friend, estranged partner, and just about anyone provided you know their first and last names.
All you need to do is enter the person’s first and last names in the provided fields, then click “SEARCH” and let the tool get to work.
After a few minutes, BeenVerified will display a report containing the following details which potentially match those of your search subject;
• Official names
• Known and unknown aliases
• Age, as well as month and year of birth
• Available photos
• Current address
• Address history
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Possible relatives
• Criminal history, including sex offender information and any available court records
• Financial information, such as tax records
• Social media profiles
2. Reverse Phone Lookup
Reverse Phone Lookup is the feature to use when you want to establish the identity behind that pesky mysterious caller.
Just type in the caller’s number and click on “SEARCH.” BeenVerified will display the following data potentially matching the unknown caller;
• Name
• Business name
• Age
• Location
• Email address associated with the number
• Social media accounts associated with the number
3. Email Lookup
Spam emails have become commonplace nowadays. Sadly, our spam folders are not always alert enough to catch those unsolicited emails. And that’s where BeenVerified comes in.
Using this service, you can uncover the identity of unknown email senders simply by running a search for their email address. You may be able to know the name and personal information, as well as the organization and social media profiles associated with the email.
4. Address Lookup
This feature works just like reverse phone lookup and email lookup. Only that in this case, you want to establish the identity behind a mysterious address.
Enter the address in the relevant field and click on “SEARCH.” It shouldn’t be long before BeenVerified displays the physical details about the home, including when it was constructed, its size, and its occupants (both current and past).
5. Username Search
People have a penchant for using their usernames on their social media profiles. And in many cases, these usernames aren’t directly related to the person’s official names. Well, there’s no need to fret.
BeenVerified can help you uncover the person associated with a username. The tool will also reveal other usernames used by the same person across the internet, including on social media sites, chatrooms, and message boards.
6. Unclaimed Money Search
Unknown to you, there could be huge stashes of unclaimed dollars in your account. Using BeenVerified, you can establish whether you’re the next millionaire in town.
Click on this feature on the company’s webpage, enter your first and last names, and select a state from the dropdown menu.
Click on “SEARCH” and cross your fingers as the tool reveals all unclaimed funds in your account, along with the holding agencies.
7. Vehicle Lookup
BeenVerified’s Vehicle Lookup feature lets you check a vehicle identification number (VIN). VIN is a 17-digit number that’s different from the regular vehicle plate number. The number is usually located on the front area of a vehicle’s dashboard, toward the driver’s side.
Simply enter this number on the search box and press “SEARCH.” In a moment, you’ll be able to know the vehicle’s ownership history, estimated value, accident report, safety recalls, etc.
BeenVerified also lets you search for a vehicle’s information using its plate number. In this case, you’ll need to enter the license plate and select a state, then click on “SEARCH.”
Do I Need An Account To Use BeenVerified?
The answer is both yes and no. It all depends on what you mean by using the website.
You can navigate BeenVerified’s website and even attempt to run a search without an account. But the company won’t display any results before you subscribe to one of its paid packages. This is more or less like signing up for an account.
The process generally unfolds as follows;
i. Head on to this link (https://www.beenverified.com/lp/32fc4f/4/subscribe?direct_to_subscribe=true/)
ii. A page will appear with conditions on how you can use BeenVerified’s search results. Check the box to agree.
iii. Choose your membership plan. A one-month membership plan goes for $26.89, whereas a three-month plan goes for $17.48/month.
iv. Pay either by PayPal or credit or debit card
Is BeenVerified Legit?
BeenVerified is a legitimate people search and background check tool. The service allows you to search for people using their official names or social media usernames. You can also search for the identities behind mysterious callers, spam emails, addresses, and vehicle numbers. What’s more, BeenVerified lets you check if you’re a beneficiary of unclaimed cash.
The only major drawback to BeenVerified is that it’s a paid service. Still, that doesn’t make the company any less legit.
As a parting shot, remember to use the information obtained from BeenVerified responsibly and in line with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
