Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Instant Checkmate's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 187 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 45 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:11/12/2022
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have tried multiple times to get Instant Checkmate to remove my personal info from their site for security reasons, but when I file a removal request, I simply get a robo-response through an emailed contact portal that says they can't find me in their system. This is ridiculous since I sent them a direct link right to my information. They are disregarding and violating ********** privacy laws. I would like them to remove all of my information permanently.
Business Response
Date: 11/14/2022
Dear *******************************,
This response is in regards to the consumer complaint from ***************************, ID [********].
Instant Checkmates information is gathered from many public sources including local county courthouses, census bureaus, and other sources of public information. We do not create or add to the information we obtain. While we cannot remove specific records from a report, we do have the option to remove an entire background report from our site. The information obtained from a report is for personal use only.
We have removed the report for ***************************. The removal process takes between 24 - 48 hours to be completely removed from our website. Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at ************ with any further questions. We are available to assist you during regular business hours, from 7:00am - 7:00pm Pacific time (10:00am - 10:00pm Eastern time), Monday Friday.
Sincerely,
Instant Checkmate SupportCustomer Answer
Date: 11/14/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
***************************
Initial Complaint
Date:11/08/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
********************* ****************** ******************* **** . ****** ***** ***********************************. *************************** *************************** ***************************** ***************************** *************************. *********************** ************************* all invovled in a massive..id theft using army tactical radio satalite phone . using a phone company ************************** the new cingular wireless using whats called level 3 communications they have illegal access with the court systems major crimes invovling murder **** child moelstation kiddnappingBusiness Response
Date: 11/09/2022
Dear *******************************,
This response is in regards to the consumer complaint from ***************************, ID ********.
Instant Checkmate is an online people search engine that compiles reports from millions of public records, including information provided by state and local governments. Because each state has different policies that govern access to public records, it can be difficult to find certain public record documents on your own. Instant Checkmate streamlines the process, gathering the information in one easy search. When you run a new search, public records are pulled from multiple data sources, and when available, this information is then compiled and displayed in a single, easy-to-read report.We display public records, and, unfortunately, are unable to provide ********************** with assistance on his request regarding theft and fraud. We recommend **** reach out to his local law enforcement for further assistance.
Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at ************ with any further questions. We are available to assist you during regular business hours, from 7:00am - 7:00pm Pacific time (10:00am - 10:00pm Eastern time), Monday Friday.
Sincerely,
Instant Checkmate SupportInitial Complaint
Date:11/04/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am paying $59.16 every six months for this service. It is a very good service. Before a recent 50 year reunion from high school, I was able to find all but 2 classmates out of 310! I highly recommend this service.HOWEVER, I cannot find my own information on this service. I have called the company and they claim that I had opted out of the site. I did not opt out! I would not pay this money if I did not want my own information on it.Business Response
Date: 11/04/2022
Dear *******************************,
This response is in regards to the consumer complaint from ***********************, ID ********.
Instant Checkmates information is gathered from many public sources including local county courthouses, census bureaus, and other sources of public information. We do not create or add to the information we obtain. While we cannot remove specific records from a report, we do have the option to remove an entire background report from our site. The information obtained from a report is for personal use only.
In order to complete their request, we need additional information to verify the correct background report.
1. First Name, Last Name
2. Date Of Birth/Age
3. City, State, Zip Code
4. Possible Relatives
5. Additional Locations
Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at ************ with any further questions. We are available to assist you during regular business hours, from 7:00am - 7:00pm Pacific time (10:00am - 10:00pm Eastern time), Monday Friday.
Sincerely,
Instant Checkmate SupportInitial Complaint
Date:10/12/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I made a one-time purchase of $5.99 on this website. However, not only did they charge me $5.99, they charged an extra $35 as a Recurring monthly m charge without my knowledge or consent. I opened a dispute via PayPal and it was closed with no resolution. I've contacted this company numerous times and get the same generic response back, as if they haven't read anything I tell them. If this isn't resolved soon I am opening a fraud investigation via my bank because this is absolutely ridiculous. They had no right to charge me for a service I did not receive nor request. This is an outright scam and people need to know about it. All I wanted was a refund for the $35 they took from me and they refuse to do anything about it.Business Response
Date: 10/18/2022
Dear ******************************* ,
This response is in regards to the consumer complaint from *******, ID ********.
When a user activates their account, they must provide an electronic signature authorizing Instant Checkmate to charge their card as described, including for the automatic renewal of their membership. Our Billing Terms are conspicuously explained on our registration page and in our Terms of Use. Customers are sent a confirmation email for any orders placed on the site.
Customers are able to cancel online from within their account, through our Customer Phone Support, or by sending an email to *********************************** After a thorough investigation, we have determined that no cancellation attempts were made through any of these channels and no emails were received from the email address listed within this complaint.
However, we were able to verify that ****************** account was cancelled via a chargeback dispute and disabled from future use. ************** will need to contact his financial institution or PayPal directly for further information on the resolution to his dispute.
Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at ************ with any further questions. We are available to assist you during regular business hours, from 7:00am - 7:00pm Pacific time (10:00am - 10:00pm Eastern time), Monday Friday.
Sincerely,
Instant Checkmate SupportInitial Complaint
Date:10/08/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have contacted the company several times asking them to discontinue ads asking me to purchase information for a ********************************** which I have told the company many times I am not interested in and to stop contacting me, please.I would ask the company to stop contacting about ********************************** which I receive several times a day and to remove me from their contact list, please. Thank you.Business Response
Date: 10/10/2022
Dear *******************************,
This response is in regards to the consumer complaint from *****************************, ID ********.
Pursuant to the Instant Checkmate privacy policy, by submitting an email address via our website, customers consent to receive emails from Instant Checkmate, our affiliates, and third parties concerning promotional offers unrelated to Instant Checkmate. Customers may opt out of receiving these email messages at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of each email.
After further review, I have verified that we received a request from ********************** requesting to unsubscribe from our email list and he has been unsubscribed as of August 15, 2022. We have resubmitted this request, but if ********************** is still receiving emails from Instant Checkmate, we ask that he forward them to ********************************** so that we can look further into any possible issues.
Additionally, if ********************** is receiving push notification/pop-**** he must disable these from within the actual device that the pop-up notifications are being sent to, as we are unable to disable these types of notifications ourselves.
In order to unsubscribe from push notifications, he will need to follow the instructions below using the exact browser and device that is receiving push notifications:
1. Go to https://www.instantcheckmate.com/unsubscribe
2. Click the Unsubscribe button and follow the directions to stop receiving push notifications from Instant Checkmate.
Do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at ************ with any further questions. We are available to assist you during regular business hours, from 7:00am - 7:00pm Pacific time (10:00am - 10:00pm Eastern time), Monday Friday.
Sincerely,
Instant Checkmate SupportInitial Complaint
Date:10/03/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
This company has already been fined by the *** for $525,000.00. I am writing to confirm they are continuing to offer a deceptive / misleading product. They offer you a month long product - meaning one time. I was charged $36.95 and $5.99 very much under the impression this would be a one time charge and it absolutely was not. I was just monitoring for charges on my credit card that I didn't authorize and found a monthly subscription to this company that I absolutely did not agree to on the front end. They use words like month long - NOT MONTHLY. Even their receipt at the top in big bold letters states "Month" - not monthly - which I attached. The only way I found out was after I called their billing department and they say "oh yeah you agreed to our terms which state it's a subscription" - this is critical part of their product and should not be in tiny font at the bottom - if a product is going to be charged as "subscription" that should be made extremely clear to the customer. This is bait and switch and poor business. This company needs to be shut down!Business Response
Date: 10/10/2022
Dear *******************************,
This response is in regards to the consumer complaint from *******************************, ID ********.
When a user activates their account, they must provide an electronic signature authorizing Instant Checkmate to charge their card as described, including for the automatic renewal of their membership. Our Billing Terms are conspicuously explained on our registration page and in our Terms of Use. Customers are sent a confirmation email for any orders placed on the site.
Customers are able to cancel online from within their account, through our Customer Phone Support, or by sending an email to **********************************.
After further review, I have verified that ******************** cancelled her account online on October 3, 2022. As a courtesy, we have submitted a total refund amount of $128.82 back to ************************ financial institution for all recurring charges. Please allow them 3-5 business days to post the refund back to the account.
Do not hesitate to contact our customer service department at ************ with any further questions. We are available to assist you during regular business hours, from 7:00am - 7:00pm Pacific time (10:00am - 10:00pm Eastern time), Monday Friday.
Sincerely,
Instant Checkmate Support
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