Is Spokeo Safe? Legit, Cost, Accuracy and How to Opt Out (2026)

Is Spokeo safe? If you’re the one searching, mostly yes: it is a real company and a visit won’t harm your device, though the billing can catch people out. If you’re the one being searched, “safe” is more complicated. Spokeo can show your address, phone number, relatives and more to anyone who pays, and it has no way to check why they’re looking. You can remove your listing for free.

Key facts

• Spokeo is a legal people-search site, but it isn’t allowed for hiring, renting or credit decisions.
• In 2012 the FTC announced an $800,000 settlement with Spokeo over Fair Credit Reporting Act violations and fake endorsements.
• A membership costs about $19.95 a month, or $14.95 a month on a three-month plan, and renews until you cancel.
• Its data comes from many sources and can be out of date or wrong.
• You can remove your listing free at spokeo.com/optout, but profiles can come back.

Last updated October 28, 2026. Prices come from Spokeo’s purchase page as reported in 2026 reviews, and they change with promotions. Confirm them before you pay. This guide is based on public sources and the FTC’s published case, not our own purchase of reports.

What Is Spokeo Used For?

Most people use Spokeo for ordinary reasons: finding an old classmate, checking a name before a first date, looking up a number that keeps calling, or a quick informal check on someone they’ll do business with. It is not meant for anything covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as deciding whether to hire, rent to or lend to someone.

How Does Spokeo Get Its Information?

Spokeo doesn’t hack anything. It collects data from sources that are already public or semi-public and puts it in one profile:

• Public records: property records, marriage and divorce filings, court records and business licenses
• Social media: profile details you’ve made visible
• Data broker feeds: information bought from other companies
• Phone directories and marketing data

Is Spokeo Legal?

Yes, but it has a regulatory history. In June 2012, the FTC announced a settlement with Spokeo over two things. First, the FTC said Spokeo marketed its profiles to recruiters and employers without following the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Second, it said Spokeo had employees post endorsements of its service on other websites as if they came from independent users. Spokeo agreed to pay an $800,000 civil penalty and to follow the rules in the future.

Since then, Spokeo says it isn’t a consumer reporting agency and bars employment, tenant, credit and insurance use. That means you can’t legally use a Spokeo report to make those decisions, and doing so puts the risk on you. Read about the law at the FTC’s Fair Credit Reporting Act page.

Is Spokeo a Scam?

No. It’s a registered company that has operated since 2006 and has dealt with regulators in the open. The more common complaint is billing: people sign up for a low-cost trial or a single report and end up on a recurring monthly membership. That is disclosed, but easy to miss. If you only need one search, set a cancellation reminder the day you sign up.

How Accurate Is Spokeo?

Mixed. Because Spokeo pulls from many sources that update at different times, it’s common to see an old address, a disconnected phone number or a relative you haven’t spoken to in years. Spokeo’s own terms say the data may not be complete, accurate or up to date. Use it as a starting point, never as proof.

How Much Does Spokeo Cost?

Individual plans include up to about 100 reports a month and renew until you cancel. Some promotions use a one-week trial that renews at a higher monthly price, so read the terms at checkout. Searching is free, but the details are blurred until you pay. To cancel, log in and use the account settings, and see Spokeo’s cancellation help page. Also read our guide to financial data security for ways to limit card risk, such as virtual cards.

Does Spokeo Tell People You Searched for Them?

We found no notification feature, and reviewers report that the person isn’t told. That cuts both ways: it’s convenient if you’re looking for an old friend, but it also means you can’t know who has looked you up.

So, Is It Actually Safe to Use Spokeo?

If you’re searching: it’s generally safe for your device and your data. Watch the billing.

If you’re being searched: it depends on who’s looking. For most people, it means spam calls and an annoying lack of privacy. If you’re dealing with an ex who won’t let go, a stalker, or you’re trying to stay hidden, having your current address on a site like Spokeo is a real safety risk. Read about the dangers in our guides on doxxing and cyberstalking.

How to Remove Yourself From Spokeo

1. Search for your name on Spokeo and open your profile.
2. Copy the web address (URL) of your profile page.
3. Go to Spokeo’s opt-out page at spokeo.com/optout, or click “Do Not Sell My Info” in the footer.
4. Paste the profile URL and enter an email address. Consider using a secondary email.
5. Click the confirmation link Spokeo emails you.

Reports put processing at around 24 to 48 hours, though it can take longer. If you get an error, contact Spokeo support. If you have more than one profile, repeat the steps for each one.

The catch: this only removes that listing. Spokeo and other sites collect new public records over time, so check again every few months. And your information is on many other sites. Our guide to removing your information from the internet covers the rest, and automated services such as Incogni and DeleteMe can repeat it for you. You can also read about BeenVerified and TruthFinder.

Is Spokeo Safe? FAQ

Is Spokeo legit?

Yes. It’s a real company, though the FTC announced an $800,000 settlement with it in 2012 over FCRA and endorsement issues.

Is Spokeo free?

You can search for free and see a blurred preview. Full details need a paid membership.

Is Spokeo accurate?

Not always. Data can be old or mixed up with another person.

Can I use Spokeo to check a tenant or employee?

No. Those decisions fall under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and need a compliant consumer report.

Can I remove my information from Spokeo?

Yes. Submit your profile URL and email at spokeo.com/optout and confirm by email. It’s free, but your information can reappear.

Bottom Line

Spokeo isn’t a scam and isn’t secretly illegal, but it makes your personal details easy to find. The real risk is not what Spokeo does to you. It’s that anyone can search for you without you ever knowing. Look up your own name and, if you don’t like what you see, opt out.

Sources

• Federal Trade Commission, Spokeo settlement announcement (June 2012)
• PCWorld, Spokeo Data Broker to Pay $800,000 in FTC Privacy Case
• Hunton Andrews Kurth, FTC Fines Data Broker $800,000 for Alleged FCRA Violations
• Spokeo Help Center, How do I cancel my Spokeo subscription?
• Pricing from BestGuide and CreditDonkey (2026)