Affiliate Disclaimer Social Catfish is an online investigation platform that enables background checks and verifies identities. The website is centered on identifying catfishing scams on dating sites and social media platforms.
You’ve probably encountered the platform or its ads online and wondered if it really works. We did, too, which is why we decided to write a Social Catfish review.
Social Catfish claims to run background checks and verify people’s names, email addresses, photos, usernames, and phone numbers. Thus, it can be helpful in determining whether a person is involved in catfishing, romance scams, and internet fraud.
Prominent media publications, such as USA Today and Reuters, have recognized the Social Catfish website. It was also nominated for Inc.5000 Awards and was named the 118th fastest-growing company in America.
If you’re wondering whether Social Catfish legit, or a scam, this Social Catfish review will put everything to rest. We tested all its features and can provide a clear conclusion about its legitimacy.
Quick Review
Our Verdict: Social Catfish is best for finding people’s information using their name and phone number. However, it does not provide really helpful reverse image searches. Moreover, information on people outside the USA can be limited.
Founded: 2013.
Online Rating: 4.0 stars on Trustpilot, 2.2 stars on Sitejabber.
Price: Varies depending on the plan, starting from $27.48/mo.
Trial/Demo/Coupons: 3-day trial at $5.73 for social searches and $6.87 for reverse image searches. There’s no Social Catfish free option.
Refund Policy: A refund is issued if the company cancels payment. Call (844) 422-8347 to speak with a Customer representative.
What is Social Catfish
Social Catfish is an online people lookup platform founded by Moe Meyers and David McClellan in 2013. The company’s offices are based in Murrieta, California.
The Social Catfish mission is to help its users find information about people online. You can find data from different social platforms and websites without leaving the website.
Social Catfish provides various online search tools, including names, phone numbers, social media profiles, images, addresses, and emails. The platform verifies public information and confirms identities.
Social Catfish has a substantial online presence, boasting 219,000 followers on Facebook, and thousands on X, YouTube, and Instagram. The platform has also been featured on ABC, NBC, and the Dr Phil Show on CBS.
The platform is available in English only.
Is Social Catfish Legit and Safe, or a Scam?
Social Catfish is a legitimate website with proper Terms of Use and a Privacy Policy that you need to accept to use it.
The platform accesses public data to perform background checks, social searches, and image matching to identify the right persons.
Social Catfish terms of service state that it is not a credit reporting agency. Therefore, you cannot use its information for employee or tenant screening purposes.
Moreover, Social Catfish notifies you when you use it in countries that may violate GDPR laws, like the European Union. However, you can use it to access people’s data as long as you adhere to proper data protection laws.
Further investigation revealed the company’s physical address at 39252 Winchester Rd, Ste 107, 228, Murrieta, California 92563, US. It was incorporated by the Better Business Bureau on December 11, 2015, and now holds an A+ BBB rating.
Scam Adviser gives Social Catfish a 100% trust score. It notes that the site is legit and safe for customers to access.
Legitimate websites have an SSL certificate, which authenticates a website’s identity and verifies its ownership. The SSL certificate is digitally issued. It shows that a website has an encrypted connection to ensure secure data transfer between the website and the user.
Using SSL Checker, whois.com, and mxtoolbox, we found that Social Catfish has a valid SSL certificate. Additionally, sitecheck did not find malware on the website.
Considering good online reviews, mentions in reputable media, and own research, we conclude that Social Catfish is a safe and legitimate platform.
How Does Social Catfish Work?
Social Catfish offers various search methods, including by name, phone number, address, image, email, and username. HeyLocate tested each separately to see its effectiveness.
Search by Name
Social Catfish name search allows you to find people by name. You can look up anyone, such as a romantic interest, a potential business partner, or a friend you’ve been chatting with online but have never met in person. The name search will not only verify their identity, but it can also help you locate someone’s whereabouts.
When I used the Social Catfish search by name feature, I entered the name and the location. The site provided me with the results of possible matches.
I clicked on the result with the location I had searched, and found a summary of the person’s current address, phone number, and last used email address.
Social Catfish provided detailed information about the person’s relationships, location history, other phone numbers, and all email addresses that may be associated with the person. I appreciated that it highlighted which information was accurate and what it could not verify.
With the provided background information, I was able to confirm a person’s identity, which can be helpful in avoiding online scams.
Search by Phone Number
When you only have a person’s phone number, you can get someone’s details using a reverse phone number lookup. There may be a new number calling you, or you want to know if a person you met at an online dating site is real; you may find out their true identity using Social Catfish.
Remember that potential scams often begin with emotional manipulation, which can cause you to overlook important details, such as the person’s name or social media profiles. However, a phone number search can reveal who it is registered to, helping you avoid internet scams.
My phone number search yielded a single result, which included the person’s name and location address. Additionally, it revealed possible associates, email addresses, and online accounts. The search was detailed, and I was able to determine if the person had other online identities.
Address Search
An address search is ideal when you want to verify the accuracy of an address and determine if it is valid. Verifying an address can bring you a step closer to uncovering catfishing, as it will reveal whether the address exists and identify possible owners. You may also discover the neighbors to enhance your investigation about a person’s identity.
Social Catfish searches through public records to show you relevant address information. During my address search, the website provided the latest owner information, estimated market value, and property summary.
It also included financial data, such as sale value and property tax. I could see the property deeds transfer and the number of sex offenders found in the area.
This detailed data is crucial if you’re buying property, as it can help you know a home’s true owner.
Reverse Image Search
A reverse image search is ideal for finding someone with a picture and verifying their identity. If someone has shared their picture with you, you can use it to learn more about their background.
Social Catfish claims it can cross-check the image against available data from multiple platforms, allowing you to stay safe during online interactions.
My Social Catfish reverse image search revealed similar photos, but not actual matches of a regular person online. It did not give me the person’s identity, their location, or any scam warnings. Nevertheless, I could compare the original photo to the ones provided manually, and I was also able to look into the websites where similar matches were found.
A search with a famous person yielded exact matches and directed me to their websites. The only time this search would be helpful is if a person were using a famous person’s photo for catfishing, which is rare. Thus, the reverse image search may not be as valuable for online safety as other searches.
Email Search
A reverse email search can reveal a person’s information using their email address. It can be helpful when you want to locate a lost contact, verify identities, or determine a person’s location.
I entered an email address in the reverse email search bar and began the investigation. Social Catfish provided the owner’s name and the likely current address. It indicated that the email had been found in data breaches and provided a list of websites where the email had been used.
One of the online accounts used for that email address was Facebook. I clicked on the link, and it opened the person’s Facebook account.
I found the Social Catfish email search to be accurate. The data provided showed me valid information and led me to social media to find out more about the person.
Username Search
A username can reveal specific details about a person. Some people have real information in their usernames, while others don’t leave any details to know about the person. Since a username is a unique identifier for social media profiles, it’s possible to match it to the exact owner.
Social Catfish username search promises to confirm identities when interacting with people in a digital landscape. Since potential scammers use sophisticated tactics to create a convincing online profile, you will see other platforms where they have used the same username.
My username search on Social Catfish yielded 12 search results for people with the same first and last name. It had all the indications that the username belonged to one person. I opened the complete report of the first search result and found out the person’s name, age, phone number, and current email address.
Criminal Records Search
Social Catfish has a criminal records search option. This type of search can help you know if a person has ever been charged or convicted of a crime. If someone is involved in suspicious activities, you can conduct a criminal record search to determine if they have a criminal history.
Social Catfish criminal records search requires the person’s full name, location, and date of birth. It is also limited to the United States.
My search for criminal records on Social Catfish revealed that the person had no criminal history.
The platform indicated it can find records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, aggravated assault, and sexual offenses. However, it did not find any criminal records of the individuals I searched for, although I knew they had a criminal history and had been convicted of a crime.
Note: Federal and state agencies maintain criminal records in the U.S., and many are not fully accessible to the public. As a result, it’s difficult to obtain someone’s complete criminal history using standard search engines or commercial people search tools. While Social Catfish may surface public convictions or arrest reports published online, it likely cannot access sealed, expunged, or private criminal records.
Privacy Lock
With Social Catfish, you can also inspect your personal data. Access the Privacy Lock feature to monitor suspicious activities associated with your name, email addresses, and phone numbers.
The Privacy look is vital for preventing identity theft, maintaining your privacy, and protecting your reputation. You can remove your personal information from the internet, control the information that is available online, and ensure only accurate and appropriate data about you is available.
The Privacy Lock feature on Social Catfish promises to alert you immediately of any online data found on the dark web. It provides access to associated data breaches and types of stolen data.
You can find out web and social links related to your data, have a live monitoring widget to see your protection level over time, and see a Privacy Lock score based on the safety of your online data.
Case Files on Social Catfish
If you want to find out about a particular person by building up their records over time, you can create their case file on Social Catfish. This feature lets you add information to a file every time you search for it. This way, you can compare the data you find to see if it belongs to the same person.
To use the case file feature, go to your Social Catfish dashboard and click Case Files on the left pane. Go ahead and click Create New Case and name it.
Once you search the person’s data, you will see the option to add that data to the case file. With time, you’ll have enough data to find out all about your target.
AI Chat Checker
The AI Chat Checker feature is ideal for detecting signs of suspicious activity in a message. It aims to alert you to potential fraud and scams in different message types, including email, content, and text messages.
I tried the text message AI chat checker, and the message was flagged as a scam by the tool. Thus, you will find it helpful if you are unsure whether a message is authentic or suspicious. As you can see, the tool gave valid reasons why the message was a scam because the link does not come from the source it claims to be from.
Hire a Specialist Through Social Catfish
When your searches are not hitting the mark, you can hire a specialist for thorough background checks. Social Catfish provides specialized services to anyone seeking comprehensive reports without the need to search multiple data sources.
To hire a specialist on Social Catfish, access your dashboard and click Hire Specialist. It will open a new page. Click Get Started and then Hire a Specialist on the next page. You will be able to choose a plan that fits your needs.
Some of the features that you get when you hire a specialist include:
- 20-Minute Consultation Call;
- Name/Location Verification;
- Email and Phone Verification;
- Username Checks;
- Document Verification;
- Criminal Records Search;
- Unlimited Image Searches;
- IP Tracker Results;
- Bonus Guide.
Does Social Catfish Notify the Person You Check?
Social Catfish does not notify the person you check. The website performs anonymous searches, meaning the person you are searching for will not be alerted about this.
The information is from public sources. The person is neither asked for this information nor notified that someone is looking for information about them online.
How to Opt Out of Social Catfish?
Anyone can look you up on Social Catfish. If your information is readily accessible, you are at risk of identity theft. For this reason, it’s a good idea to request that Social Catfish delete your information.
To remove your personal data from Social Catfish:
- Go to socialcatfish.com and scroll down to Do Not Sell My Personal Information in the Footer.
- Click CPRA Privacy Requests (CA Residents) or All Privacy Requests (OR,CO,NV,ETC) depending on where you live.
- It will open the Social Catfish Opt-Out form.
- Fill in the required information, including your name, location, and links to your Social Catfish profile, to request the removal of your data.
How Much Does Social Catfish Cost?
Social Catfish price depends on its subscription plans.
Regular Plans
The regular plans offer basic searches, where you can access reports using limited types of searches. All plans keep your history, give free access to the members-only Social Catfish Facebook group, and offer hassle-free cancellation.
Social Search
The Social Search Plan includes a 3-day trial for $5.73 and then $27.48 per month. It includes 100 searches for names, phone numbers, emails, addresses, and usernames.
Image Search
An image search offers unlimited reverse image searches. It comes with a 3-day trial for $6.87 and then $28.97 per month. This plan does not have other search methods, including name, phone number, email, usernames, and address.
Social Catfish Pro
You will have more monthly searches when you opt for the pro version. The 250 searches plan costs $50 per year, while the 500 searches plan costs $99 monthly. The 1200 searches will suffice for $199 per month if you’re a business.
All plans offer all search tools, including name, email, phone numbers, usernames, and address searches. Social Catfish will keep a history of all searches, provide free access to the Social Catfish Facebook group, and offer hassle-free cancellation.
Search Specialist
Search specialists find real and useful information about people. You can opt for different plans depending on the data you want to find.
ID Verification
This search specialist will require a one-time fee of $397. This plan discovers essential information.
These are the features of the ID Verification plan.
- Name/Location Verification
- Email and Phone Verification
- Username Checks
- Document Verification
- Unlimited Image Searches
- Criminal Records Search
- 20-Minute Consultation Call
- IP Tracker Results
- Bonus Guide
Crypto & Financial
This plan allows you to find information surrounding financial transactions, including Crypto. You will pay a one-time fee of $897. These are the features you get:
- All “ID Verification” Plan Features
- Initial 20-minute call
- Basic Crypto Investigation
- Basic Financial Investigation
- Additional 20-Minute Consultation Call
- Bonus Guide
- Completion Time
Advanced Crypto & Financial
This plan offers an extensive examination of digital and financial transactions. This plan costs a one-time fee of $3,000. Its features are:
- Extensive ID Verification Plan Components
- Unlimited Cryptocurrency and Financial Institution Investigations
- Documentation Prepared for Law Enforcement
- Extended Time Allocation
- Bonus Guide
Social Catfish’s free trial lasts three days, after which you will be charged a monthly fee based on the plan you choose.
Social Catfish offers secure payment methods to protect your sensitive information and prevent financial loss. The platform accepts payments through credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal.
How to Cancel Social Catfish Subscription?
To cancel Social Catfish subscription:
- Go to the dashboard and click Manage Account from the left pane.
- Click Payment and Subscriptions.
- Under Subscription, click the three dots and select Cancel.
- Wait for 15 seconds. You will see a notification saying your subscription has been cancelled.
To request a refund, please contact the Social Catfish team at (844) 422-8347. You will speak with a customer care rep who will initiate the refund process.
Social Catfish Reviews
Social Catfish has received lots of reviews, with many customers expressing their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the service.
The Platform has 4.0 stars on Trustpilot and 2.2 stars on Sitejabber. Users on Trustpilot appreciate the company’s customer support.
One person commented that they appreciated the Social Catfish customer representative’s empathy towards their situation. Another liked the overall experience of the site, but wishes the name and image lookup were on the same plan.
Most users on Reddit and Quora don’t like using the platform. There are numerous Social Catfish review complaints about the reverse image search not working as expected.
Two users were unable to understand why a photo they had never posted online showed related images on the site. Thus, they concluded that the site could not be legit since it yielded false positives.
Customer Support
Social Catfish customer support is available by phone from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. You can also reach the team via email using this link: https://socialcatfish.com/contact/.
Most of the questions that you may have are answered in the pop-up form before you send an inquiry. Still, you can click “I’m looking for something else” at the bottom of the form to submit a question.
Social Catfish instantly notified me about receiving my inquiry.
A bit later, I got advice on my problem with reverse image search.
Pros and Cons of Social Catfish
So, let’s sum up the advantages and disadvantages of the Social Catfish service.
Pros:
- multiple search options;
- accurate results;
- helps to make informed decisions;
- helps to prevent catfishing.
Cons:
- it does not scan the dark web;
- name, phone, and address search reports on people outside the USA are not guaranteed;
- not very effective reverse image search;
- does not have a mobile app.
Verdict
After a thorough Social Catfish review, we concluded that it is a legitimate online investigation service. You can use it to verify identities and avoid online scams, especially if you’re at risk of catfishing. Its name search, reverse number, and email lookup yield the best results for people.
Social Catfish’s address lookup is best for searching properties. However, I would not recommend using its image search for individuals without a substantial online presence, as it may not return relevant results. Again, you won’t find it particularly effective for researching a person’s criminal history.
A lot depends on the country of the person you’re searching for. The best results in my test were for people in the USA and Canada. European countries have stricter privacy laws, so background searches on people there are more complicated. However, username and email lookups can help, as this information is more public.
Overall, you will appreciate the website’s instant results for seeing fake personas and verifying IDs, especially if you see red flags in the people you meet online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Social Catfish is not free. It offers a 3-day free trial, followed by a monthly subscription fee.
To remove your information from Social Catfish, visit the platform’s opt-out page and request the removal of your data.
Social Catfish can reveal websites associated with a person. You will see if the online accounts belong to dating websites.
Social Catfish gathers information from public resources. Your data is likely available from your digital footprint.
There are various alternatives to Social Catfish for background checks. Based on the HeyLocate reviews, Intelius is one of the best.
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