ComplaintsforSpokeo, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  07/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This website collects sensitive information such as phone number, home address, relatives, and so on. I attempted to go through their opt-out process but the process itself took more than 20 minutes of loading sliders and refreshes. Near the end, they simply ask for my name, email, and more and have a checkbox for receiving marketing emails. I couldn't actually complete their opt-out process on my own, so I'm seeking help to remove my information from their website. I would like information related to me '*********************' from '********, Ca' Age '24' to be removed from their website. This includes, but is not limited to, my phone number, home address, past addresses, connection to relatives, etc.

  Business response

  07/18/2024

  Dear *********************:
  
  I am deeply sorry to hear this. I received your customer review to the ********************** page for Spokeo, on July 17, 2024 regarding our service, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  When making a purchase, we do our best to let you know about the kind of information we may have available. In addition, we gather our data from 12 billion public records, ranging from census data to public social media profiles. New information is added to our system every day. Spokeo does not originate or create data, so our data reflects that of the original sources. Spokeo does not guarantee data accuracy, and the data should only be used as a reference. We are, however, constantly working to expand and improve the data available on our site. New information is added to our system every day and I suggest you check back for new updates.
  
  If your request actually pertains to personal data such as information that users provide to Spokeo about themselves or information about their use of Spokeo and in creating a Spokeo User Account, such as credit card information, please note that this is not included in the Public Information that is made available through the Spokeo.com people search.
  
  That said, we have long been a leader in making it easy for consumers to opt-out and suppress their information from public display on Spokeo.com. The fastest and simplest way to make your request is via our easy, self-service tool located at www.spokeo.com/optout. This tool is available to anyone (regardless of place of residency), and the only information you will be required to submit is the link to the Spokeo profile containing your information and an email address to which we will send an email requiring you to confirm your request.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ************* team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 8PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

• Initial Complaint

  07/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was charged ***** for a renewal subscription I didnt want to renew they gave me a partial refund of ***** I want a full refund I have not even used their service

  Business response

  07/17/2024

  Dear *****************:
  
  I received your complaint to the Better Business Bureau page for Spokeo, on July 16, 2024 regarding our service and charges made on your account, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  Please allow me to explain the charges associated with services selected to your account. Since all ********************** subscriptions automatically renew to prevent service interruption, trials that were left unchanged, were charged on the service's renewal date. I apologize if this was unclear.
  
  I can confirm that this subscription has already been disabled back on July 14, 2024. This discontinues all future charges for Spokeo.
  
  Upon review, I can confirm that an electronic refund of $11.98 was refunded and processed back also on July 14, 2024.
  
  As a courtesy, I have gone ahead and approved an electronic refund of $17.97 today, July 17, 2024. Please allow up to 7 - 10 business days from this date to see this refund returned to your payment method on file. This electronic refund of $17.97 processed today, alongside the previous refund of $11.98 processed on July 14, 2024, represents the full refund of the $29.95 charge made to your account after the initial purchase of $0.95. An automated Spokeo email confirming these changes was sent to the email address on file for your records. If you did not receive that email, please save this one for your records.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ************* team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 8PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

• Initial Complaint

  07/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I cancelled my subscription to Spokeo in January 2023. They have been billing me $29.95 per month since then. When I called them to find out what's going on, they told me I don't have an active account so they can't stop billing me.

  Business response

  07/17/2024

  Dear ***************************:
  
  I received your complaint to the Better Business Bureau page for Spokeo, on July 16, 2024 regarding our service and charges made on your account, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  Please allow me to explain the charges associated with services selected to your account. Since all ********************** subscriptions automatically renew to prevent service interruption, trials that were left unchanged, were charged on the service's renewal date. I apologize if this was unclear.
  
  Upon review, I can confirm, as previous Spokeo ************* Agents have explained, that while we have found accounts that match your user information they are all old and not active, and do not match the dates that you have referenced in your complaint. 
  
  Please consider reaching out to your bank or card issuer to verify the exact information associated with the charge. If possible, please attempt to have them initiate a three-way phone call with us at ************ where we are available from 5AM to 6PM PST.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. 
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

  Customer response

  07/17/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  07/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My complaint is simply about security. I was alerted by my anti-virus software that Spokeo is selling my wife information as well as mine , on the internet. This includes phone numbers and credit card numbers. What's to be done with companies that obviously can't survive on their sales alone, but have to go to the extent of selling personal information to the highest bidder.

  Business response

  07/17/2024

  Dear *******************:
  
  I am deeply sorry to hear this. I received your customer review to the ********************** page for Spokeo, on July 16, 2024 regarding our service, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  When making a purchase, we do our best to let you know about the kind of information we may have available. In addition, we gather our data from 12 billion public records, ranging from census data to public social media profiles. New information is added to our system every day. Spokeo does not originate or create data, so our data reflects that of the original sources. Spokeo does not guarantee data accuracy, and the data should only be used as a reference. We are, however, constantly working to expand and improve the data available on our site. New information is added to our system every day and I suggest you check back for new updates.
  
  If your request actually pertains to personal data such as information that users provide to Spokeo about themselves or information about their use of Spokeo and in creating a Spokeo User Account, such as credit card information, please note that this is not included in the Public Information that is made available through the Spokeo.com people search.
  
  That said, we have long been a leader in making it easy for consumers to opt-out and suppress their information from public display on Spokeo.com. The fastest and simplest way to make your request is via our easy, self-service tool located at www.spokeo.com/optout. This tool is available to anyone (regardless of place of residency), and the only information you will be required to submit is the link to the Spokeo profile containing your information and an email address to which we will send an email requiring you to confirm your request.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ************* team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 8PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

• Initial Complaint

  07/14/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  These advertise they charge 0.95 for information, but they really just want to get your credit card information. I was only looking for confirmation of a birth date, which I never received and would never knowingly subscribe to a service to look up information. I later found out that they charged me ***** on my credit card and will probably continue to do so until I find out how to stop this. When I googled it I saw this was their common practice and others have filed complaints here to get this to stop.

  Business response

  07/15/2024

  Dear *****************************:
  
  I received your complaint to the Better Business Bureau page for Spokeo, on July 15, 2024 regarding our service and charges made on your account, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  When making a purchase, we do our best to let you know about the kind of information we may have available. In addition, we gather our data from 12 billion public records, ranging from census data to public social media profiles. New information is added to our system every day. Spokeo does not originate or create data, so our data reflects that of the original sources. Spokeo does not guarantee data accuracy, and the data should only be used as a reference. We are, however, constantly working to expand and improve the data available on our site. New information is added to our system every day and I suggest you check back for new updates.
  
  Please allow me to explain the charges associated with services selected to your account. Since all ********************** subscriptions automatically renew to prevent service interruption, trials that were left unchanged, were charged on the service's renewal date. I apologize if this was unclear.
  
  As requested, I can confirm that this subscription has been disabled today, July 15, 2024. This discontinues all future charges for Spokeo.
  
  As a courtesy, I have gone ahead and approved an electronic refund of $29.95 today, July 15, 2024. Please allow up to 7 - 10 business days from this date to see this refund returned to your payment method on file.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ************* team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 8PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

• Initial Complaint

  07/14/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  This company is a scammer and uses deceptive practices. I bought one single search, but the was charged ***** for several months through PayPal. I discovered these automatic withdrawals on July 5, 2024 and filed disputes with PayPal. I was refunded for 4 months worth of automatic withdrawals. However, this company refused my July 4 2024 refund because I did not cancel in time per their terms and conditions!How insane! I never saw those terms and conditions at the time of sale. I never clicked I Accept to monthly automatic withdrawals of *****. It is like a thief trying to get escape using his thieving logic!According to their logic, they couldve been allowed to never tell you anything up front and can charge you 5000 per month! This is a deceptive billing practice and does not disclose up front at the time of sale that your one-time 95 cent search will result in monthly charges of *****.Be very aware of this company! See the hundreds of complaints here. Do not let Spokeo get away with this deception practice hidding perpetual monthly subscriptions.I demanded a full refund from Spokeo for July 2024 billing.

  Business response

  07/15/2024

  Dear ********:
  
  I received your complaint to the Better Business Bureau page for Spokeo, on July 14, 2024 regarding our service and charges made on your account, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  Please allow me to explain the charges associated with services selected to your account. Since all ********************** subscriptions automatically renew to prevent service interruption, trials that were left unchanged, were charged on the service's renewal date. I apologize if this was unclear.
  
  I can confirm that this subscription has already been disabled back on July 4, 2024. This discontinues all future charges for Spokeo.
  
  As a courtesy, I have gone ahead and approved an electronic refund of $29.95 via the Paypal platform today, July 15, 2024. Please allow up to 7 - 10 business days from this date to see this refund returned to your payment method on file. An automated Spokeo email confirming these changes was sent to the email address on file for your records. If you did not receive that email, please save this one for your records.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ************* team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 8PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

  Customer response

  07/16/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Ed P

• Initial Complaint

  07/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I looked up a phone number on spokeo and paid for it with Venmo. Then mysteriously two fees of $29.95 come out of my Venmo automatically. I did not authorize this or if I did it was hidden well. I see others on BBB have faced this and I dont think its right.

  Business response

  07/15/2024

  Dear *******************:
  
  I received your complaint to the Better Business Bureau page for Spokeo, on July 12, 2024 regarding our service and charges made on your account, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  Please allow me to explain the charges associated with services selected to your account. Since all ********************** subscriptions automatically renew to prevent service interruption, trials that were left unchanged, were charged on the service's renewal date. I apologize if this was unclear.
  
  I can confirm that this subscription has already been disabled back on July 12, 2024. This discontinues all future charges for Spokeo.
  
  As a courtesy, I have gone ahead and approved two (2) electronic refunds of $29.95 via the Venmo platform today, July 15, 2024. Please allow up to 7 - 10 business days from this date to see these refunds returned to your payment method on file. An automated Spokeo email confirming these changes was sent to the email address on file for your records. If you did not receive that email, please save this one for your records.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ************* team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 8PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

• Initial Complaint

  07/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On the 18th of june, 2024. I received an email from Spokeo stating that I and my family may be in danger due to criminal charges against a family member. ******* and very surprised, I attempted to view this "urgent report" at their low, low introductory price of $.95. After entering the requisite information, name, address, credit card info, I opened an account. The account offered exactly no information regarding my family members supposed criminal history. At this point I concluded that I had been scammed. My bad. I then called the listed number to cancel any further service. On july 8th, 2024, i found a charge for $29.95, the cost of my new monthly service fee for a service that I had not received. I immediately called the number provided, to then be informed that Spokeo does not offer refunds of any type, but I could cancel the service.Bottom line, my bad for being stupid enough to respond as I did. Not to be overlooked is the sleezy method Spokeo uses to access new revenue. A true rip off.

  Business response

  07/09/2024

  Dear Requester:
  
  I received your complaint to the Better Business Bureau page for Spokeo, on July 8, 2024 regarding our service and charges made on your account, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  Please allow me to explain the charges associated with the services selected. Since all Spokeo subscriptions automatically renew to prevent service interruption, trials that were left unchanged, were charged on the service's renewal date. I apologize if this was unclear.
  
  Unfortunately I was unable to locate a Spokeo account with the information provided in your complaint to assist you with your concern. To help you further,  please provide the following information:
  
  - your full name, or the name(s) of any secondary authorized user(s) on the credit or debit card(s) charged?
  - last 4 digits of the credit or debit card(s) billed, or any expired or secondary card(s)
  ?- card type(s) ****** MasterCard, etc.)?
  - any other email address(es) (other than the one used to contact us)?
  - if PayPal, ************* Pay, or Apple Pay, the email address associated with the account?
  - exact amount(s) charged and transaction date(s)
  
  Once the account is located and verified, I'd be happy to assist you with your concerns.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ************* team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 6PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

• Initial Complaint

  07/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Basically I authorized an original payment with Spokeo on Venmo. Then I cancelled it and never used it after that first month. I authorized it on Venmo. But for the last 11 months or so I keep getting a charge that I cannot cancel in Venmo and keep getting billed for *****. It is driving me nuts. I expect a full refund for the hassle of it all. It's a runaway train on my card and a nightmare.

  Business response

  07/09/2024

  Dear Requester:
  
  I received your complaint to the Better Business Bureau page for Spokeo, on July 8, 2024 regarding our service and charges made on your account, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  Please allow me to explain the charges associated with the services selected. Since all Spokeo subscriptions automatically renew to prevent service interruption, trials that were left unchanged, were charged on the service's renewal date. I apologize if this was unclear.
  
  Unfortunately I was unable to locate a Spokeo account with the information provided in your complaint to assist you with your concern. To help you further,  please provide the following information:
  
  - your full name, or the name(s) of any secondary authorized user(s) on the credit or debit card(s) charged?
  - last 4 digits of the credit or debit card(s) billed, or any expired or secondary card(s)
  ?- card type(s) ****** MasterCard, etc.)?
  - any other email address(es) (other than the one used to contact us)?
  - if PayPal, ************* Pay, or Apple Pay, the email address associated with the account?
  - exact amount(s) charged and transaction date(s)
  
  Once the account is located and verified, I'd be happy to assist you with your concerns.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ************* team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 6PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo *************

• Initial Complaint

  07/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  7/4/2024 clicked the link in an email showing a "95" offer. I was immediately billed $19.95. When I contacted them to request a refund, they immediately canceled the "trial" and stated that they were "unable to process a refund for this enhanced report as it doesn't meet the criteria for our refund guarantee". What they are apparently referring to as an "advanced report" is a long list of neighbors of the actual person I had tried to search.

  Business response

  07/08/2024

  Dear *****************************:
  
  I received your complaint to the Better Business Bureau page for Spokeo, on July 6, 2024 regarding our service and charges made on your account, and I am happy to assist in resolving this matter.
  
  When making a purchase, we do our best to let you know about the kind of information we may have available. In addition, we gather our data from 12 billion public records, ranging from census data to public social media profiles. New information is added to our system every day. Spokeo does not originate or create data, so our data reflects that of the original sources. Spokeo does not guarantee data accuracy, and the data should only be used as a reference. We are, however, constantly working to expand and improve the data available on our site. New information is added to our system every day and I suggest you check back for new updates.
  
  Please note, while our subscription services do include, name, email, phone number, and address searches; any additional services such as historical records, court records, enhanced background reports, or higher search quotas are offered for an additional price. I apologize if this was unclear.
  
  I can confirm that this subscription has already been disabled back on on July 4, 2024. This discontinues all future charges for Spokeo.
  
  Upon reviewing your account, I see that this matter has already been handled with a Spokeo ******** Care agent also back on July 6, 2024, where a refund of $19.95 was processed. Please allow up to 7 - 10 business days from this date to see this refund returned to your payment method on file. An automated Spokeo email confirming these changes was sent to the email address on file for your records. If you did not receive that email, please save this one for your records.
  
  I apologize for any inconvenience, or hardship this matter may have caused. You are more than welcome to contact our ******** Care team through our contact page, ************************************* where we are available by phone, email, and chat 7 days a week from 5AM to 8PM PST. Please feel free to contact us directly should you have any future questions or concerns regarding this matter.
  
  Thanks
  -Spokeo ******** Care

  Customer response

  07/08/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

*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. ↩