- Who runs BeenVerified and what it does
- How BeenVerified charges you
- The BeenVerified rule that matters most: what you can't use it for
- How accurate are BeenVerified reports?
- Removing your own details from BeenVerified
- Using BeenVerified safely
- BeenVerified lookalikes and scam messages
- BeenVerified at a glance
- My verdict on BeenVerified
- Frequently asked questions
BeenVerified is a real people search company based in New York City, founded in 2007 by Josh Levy and Ross Cohen, according to Wikipedia. It sells paid access to public-records style searches on one- or three-month billing plans. The catch is what it can't be used for: its terms say it isn't a credit reporting agency, so it isn't for hiring, tenant or credit decisions.
People type this question into Google for two very different reasons. Some want to know whether the site will charge them and then be hard to leave. Others have just found their own name on it and wonder what the site is. I'll cover both. One note first: BeenVerified's own website wouldn't load for me, so I've leaned on named third-party sources and said clearly where you need to check the company's own pages.
Who runs BeenVerified and what it does
According to Wikipedia, BeenVerified is a privately held company based in New York City. It says Josh Levy and Ross Cohen founded it in 2007 and launched it in 2009. Wikipedia describes it as a people search site that also offers reverse searches by telephone number, email, address and vehicle.
So yes, it's a real, long-running business rather than a pop-up. That answers whether the company exists. It doesn't tell you whether the product suits what you want it for, which is the more useful question.
How BeenVerified charges you
Wikipedia says access to the searches is paid, through one-month or three-month billing plans. I'm not going to quote a price, because those change and I couldn't read the company's own pricing page. What I'd do before you enter a card is check the checkout page for three things:
- Whether the plan renews automatically at the end of the period.
- What the renewal charge is, and on what date.
- Where the cancel button lives once you have an account.
Those are the usual sticking points with any membership billed on a rolling basis, and the company's terms are the only place that will settle them. Take a screenshot of what you agreed to.
The BeenVerified rule that matters most: what you can't use it for
This is the part I'd want every reader to see. The Electronic Frontier Foundation quotes BeenVerified's consumer terms as saying: WE ARE NOT A CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY FOR PURPOSES OF THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT (FCRA).
In plain English, that's a signal about how the company expects you to use the results. Reports of this kind aren't built for the decisions the FCRA is designed to protect people from, such as hiring someone, approving a tenant, granting credit or pricing insurance.
The US Federal Trade Commission explains why that line matters. In its page about warning letters to ten data brokers, the FTC says brokers that collect, distribute or sell information used for decisions about creditworthiness, insurance or employment are consumer reporting agencies under the FCRA, and that they must reasonably verify who their customers are. The page says the letters were not an official finding about any named company, and I'm not suggesting BeenVerified was one of the ten.
The practical message is simple. If you're a landlord, an employer or a lender, a general people search isn't the right tool for those decisions. I'm not a lawyer, so check with a qualified adviser or the FTC's own guidance for your situation.
How accurate are BeenVerified reports?
Public-records searches pull from many sources, and records can be old, mixed up or incomplete. Two people with similar names can end up merged into one profile. I'd treat any result as a lead to check, not as a verdict on a person, and I'd never make a serious decision from one search alone.
Removing your own details from BeenVerified
Wikipedia notes that an opt-out process exists for people who want their information removed. It also says the company has come under scrutiny in the past for how that process works. I haven't read the current opt-out page, so look for the opt-out or privacy request page on the company's own site, and keep the confirmation email you receive.
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Two sensible habits help. Use an email address you're comfortable giving to a data company, and check back later, because listings can reappear if new records are collected. If you care about keeping your details off public lists in general, my explainer on what catfishing is shows why checking who you're talking to online is a different job from looking someone up.
Using BeenVerified safely
People search sites are easy to misuse. Please don't use any of them to find, track or contact someone who doesn't want to be contacted. If someone is harassing you, report it to the platform where it's happening and, if you're in danger, contact the police.
BeenVerified lookalikes and scam messages
Because the name is well known, scammers borrow it. Be wary of emails or texts saying a report about you is waiting, or that you must click to see who has been searching for you. Go to the company's website by typing the address yourself. My guide to how to spot Instagram follower scams shows the same pressure tactics used elsewhere.
BeenVerified at a glance
| What I checked | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Is the company real? | Wikipedia: privately held, New York City, founded in 2007 |
| What does it offer? | People search plus reverse phone, email, address and vehicle searches |
| How is access billed? | One- or three-month billing plans, per Wikipedia |
| Can I use it for hiring or tenants? | Its terms say it isn't a credit reporting agency under the FCRA |
| Can I remove my listing? | An opt-out process exists, with past scrutiny noted by Wikipedia |
My verdict on BeenVerified
The company looks like a real business selling a real product. The risks sit around it: billing you haven't read carefully, results that may be out of date, and using it for decisions it isn't meant for. If you go ahead, read the terms first, keep your own expectations modest, and use it responsibly.
Frequently asked questions
Is BeenVerified a real company?
Yes. According to Wikipedia it's a privately held people search company based in New York City, founded in 2007 by Josh Levy and Ross Cohen.
Can I use BeenVerified to screen a tenant or employee?
Its consumer terms, as quoted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, say it isn't a credit reporting agency under the FCRA. That is a strong sign it isn't meant for those decisions. Check the current terms and take advice.
How does BeenVerified bill people?
Wikipedia says paid access runs on one- or three-month billing plans. Check the checkout page and terms for renewal and cancellation details before you enter a card.
Can I get my information removed from BeenVerified?
Wikipedia says an opt-out process exists. Use the opt-out or privacy request page on the company's own website and keep the confirmation.
Are BeenVerified results always accurate?
No search of this kind can promise that. Records can be old or mixed up, so treat results as leads to verify.
