InfoChecker Reverse Phone Lookup Explained: Is the $1.25 Trial Worth It?
Let me introduce you to InfoChecker. It's a reverse phone lookup service that's been around for quite a while—the domain was registered in January 2012, making it over 14 years old. Despite its age, it's not a particularly well-known service. Very few people talk about it, and there's not much information available online compared to more popular options like Spokeo or TruthFinder.
The website offers phone lookup services with a low entry price of $1.25 for a 24-hour trial. But here's where things get concerning: after that trial ends, they charge $49.95 per month—a significantly higher price than most competitors.
The question is: Is InfoChecker legit, or is it a scam? And more importantly, should you use it, or are there better alternatives?
What the Evidence Says About InfoChecker
The Good News: It Appears Legitimate
Based on available information, InfoChecker does appear to be a legitimate business rather than an outright scam. Here's what supports that:
Domain Age Matters: The domain was registered in January 2012, meaning it has been around for over 14 years. Scam websites typically don't survive that long. Most fraudulent sites are shut down within months, not years.
Security Checks: Gridinsoft's analysis found no major malware or phishing detections. The site uses HTTPS encryption and appears technically secure. It uses legitimate services like Google Tag Manager and Cloudflare for its infrastructure.
Proper Business Setup: The website has proper business setup with billing sections, refund policies, and customer support pages. This suggests a legitimate business operation rather than a fly-by-night operation.
The Concerning News: Very Poor Reviews
The problems start when you look at what actual users are saying. InfoChecker has a 1.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, which is extremely low. The complaints are consistent and serious.
Hidden Charges Are the Biggest Complaint
Multiple users report being charged $1 for a trial, only to discover a hidden $29.95 recurring charge appearing on their statements. The merchant name appearing on bank statements is listed as "CARINFOCHECKER."
One user wrote: "I purchased a vehicle history report advertised for $1. The website clearly showed only a $1 charge at checkout. However, immediately after the initial transaction, my card was charged an additional $29.50 without any prior notice or authorization."
Recurring Charges Without Consent
Several users report being charged $29.95 or similar amounts repeatedly over multiple months, even after they didn't create an account or select a subscription. One user said: "They say it costs $1 but after checkout then they took $1 and then $29.95. And after 15 days they took another $29.95. I didn't choose any subscription and I even don't create an account."
Refund and Customer Service Issues
Users report being unable to get refunds despite multiple attempts to contact customer service. One user mentioned they never received a response regarding their refund or cancellation request. This is particularly concerning because legitimate businesses usually have responsive customer support.
Mixed Signals on Legitimacy
ScamAdviser gives InfoChecker a 49/100 trust score. The mixed score reflects both positive signals—old domain, valid SSL certificate, high traffic according to Tranco—and concerning ones like hidden WHOIS information and a registrar associated with spammers.
French security site ScamDoc rates it at 83% trust, noting the domain age as a positive sign but pointing out the hidden owner identity as a concern.
The bottom line: InfoChecker appears technically legitimate but has significant trust issues based on user experiences.
How InfoChecker Compares to Popular Alternatives
Spokeo has been around since 2006 and serves over 18 million monthly visitors. It's the most affordable option, with a $0.95 trial for 7 days. After the trial, it renews at $29.95/month. What Spokeo does well: it excels at finding social media profiles, email addresses, phone numbers, and relatives. It's great for contact information and online presence checks. Reports are delivered in seconds. What to watch out for: Spokeo has significant billing concerns—the Better Business Bureau has recorded 578 complaints in the last 3 years, most about recurring billing. Users often sign up for the $0.95 trial and get charged $29.95/month without realizing it. Information can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate.
TruthFinder is considered one of the most thorough background check tools available. It digs deep into criminal records, court cases, and even "dark web" activity. Pricing is around $28.33/month for the people search plan, with no trial option. Additional add-ons like the dark web scan cost extra. Pros: Deep coverage of criminal and court records. Great when you need serious legal context. Cons: Expensive, no one-time reports, and TruthFinder was fined $5.8 million by the FTC in 2023 for deceptive marketing practices.
Instant Checkmate focuses heavily on criminal and court records. It's best for safety-conscious users who want extensive legal data. Pricing is around $35.47/month billed monthly, or $28.38/month when billed quarterly. No single reports available. Pros: Strong criminal record coverage, user-friendly interface. Cons: Expensive, no single reports, also faced FTC penalties.
InfoChecker vs. The Alternatives: Key Differences
Price after trial: InfoChecker charges $49.95/month, which is the highest among all options. Spokeo charges $29.95/month, TruthFinder around $28.33/month, and Instant Checkmate $35.47/month.
Trial period: InfoChecker gives you only 24 hours for $1.25. Spokeo gives you 7 days for $0.95—a much better deal with more time to evaluate the service.
Reputation: InfoChecker has a 1.9/5 rating on Trustpilot. The others are mixed but have much larger user bases and more established reputations.
Hidden charge complaints: InfoChecker has the most serious hidden charge complaints, with users reporting charges appearing without authorization. Spokeo also has billing complaints, but users generally know they're signing up for a subscription.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
If budget is your main concern: Spokeo is the cheapest option with a $0.95 trial. Just remember to cancel before 7 days if you don't want the full $30/month charge.
If you need criminal records and deep background checks: TruthFinder is better for detailed reports, though it's more expensive and has no trial.
If you want criminal history specifically: Instant Checkmate is good for criminal records but similarly expensive with no single-report options.
If you want to avoid InfoChecker: Skip InfoChecker entirely. The hidden charges and poor reviews are too concerning. The low $1.25 trial price is deceptive—users consistently report unauthorized charges appearing on their statements.
My Final Verdict
InfoChecker appears to be a legitimate website—it's been around for 14+ years and has proper business infrastructure. However, the user reviews are overwhelmingly negative. The low $1.25 trial is a trap for many users, who find themselves hit with recurring $49.95 monthly charges they didn't explicitly authorize.
The biggest concerns are hidden charges that appear to be a consistent pattern, extremely difficult refunds or no refunds at all, unresponsive customer service, and a $49.95/month price after the trial that is significantly higher than competitors.
Based on the available evidence and user feedback, InfoChecker isn't my recommended choice.
If you need reverse phone lookup or people search services, Spokeo is a better option for most people—it's cheaper ($0.95 trial, $29.95/month), offers a longer 7-day trial instead of just 24 hours, and is a more established and well-known service.
If you need deep criminal background checks, TruthFinder or Instant Checkmate are stronger choices, though they're more expensive and have no trial options.
Pro tip: No matter which service you choose, always read the fine print carefully. Trial periods automatically convert to subscriptions, and you need to cancel before the trial ends if you don't want to continue. Set a calendar reminder the day you sign up, so you don't forget. And always use a credit card with good fraud protection—never a debit card.
