Menu
Write a review
File a complaint
Instant Checkmate Profile

Instant Checkmate

www.instantcheckmate.com

Learn how the rating is calculated

1.9 7 Reviews 42 Complaints
Claim Your Business
Take control of your profile: address complaints and engage with reviews
Write a review File a complaint

Instant Checkmate Complaints Page 3 of 3

ComplaintsBoard
M
6:38 pm EST

Instant Checkmate Deceptive offer on website

On 12/21 I accessed the website for InstantCheckmate.com to do a background check for a possible renter. The home page shows 3 service options, 1 month, 6 months and 1 year. They offer the 1 month service at a discounted cost of $14.95 down from $26.95.

I entered my information including my debit card on the first page and clicked next. Instead of arriving at the page where I select the service option the transaction completed itself at $179.40 for a year!

I immediately called the company to cancel the service. I explained that the website bypassed the service selection page and that I thought I was purchasing the 1 month service. I was told by the customer service person that I had to write to them which I did. Their response was as follows

As we have no control over your options of purchase we take the position that you received the membership option of your choice.

We have honored your request to cancel your requested membership so you will not incur any future charges after your current requested membership expires.

The following is on the “create your account “ page. It is located in step three of the sign-up process for your review prior to your payment authorization.

*One payment of $179.40 for a 12 month, $119.70 for a 6 month plan, or $24.86 for a monthly plan. Your membership will be automatically renewed to the same term until you cancel. If you cancel your subscription will not be renewed after that expires. To cancel your membership at any time please contact our customer service at [protected]

I explained that the payment authorization page never appeared and the transaction was finalized without my ability to make the selection. In my correspondence I also told them that I am willing to take the 1 month subscription.

I'm currently unemployed and thought I was purchasing a 1 month service at a discounted price of $14.95. By bank account was charge $179.40...3 days before Christmas! They have not responded to my final email asking if they intend to refund the overcharge and work with me on this.

Read full review of Instant Checkmate
Hide full review
ComplaintsBoard
D
10:24 pm EST

Instant Checkmate don`t be ripped off by instantcheckmate.com

I saw instantcheckmate.com on my verizon homepage . the background check was$9.95 for six month`s they charged my bank account $ 59.16 instead . I tried 3 background check`s .!st one I know has a crimjnal record . It cme back clean 2nd one has a criminal record it too came back clean so I tried my own name I know it is clean It came back that I have a bad criminal record, All 3 are wrong .I called the first time they only wanted to refund half . So I called back, because why pay for something that don`t work .She said she would refund the whole amount . But instead they went back to charging me the whole $59.16 . I checked online they have complaint`s about selling people`s card number`s . Check out scambook .com so far they have ripped off $312, 038, 45 and growing .Watchout for them so they won`t rip you off too thank you.during these hard time`s the worst thing I can`t afford to have my money stolen by scam artist like this thank you and if they ripped you off too please fight back and report these thieves so they can be stopped sincerly don`t be ripped off by instantcheckmate.com

Read full review of Instant Checkmate and 5 comments
Hide full review
5 comments
Add a comment
C
C
Cool Guy432
US
Send a message
Nov 12, 2018 12:45 am EST

Instant Checkmate has no right to display people's personal and secured information, especially birthday date and address etc. Doing so Instant Checkmate is putting people's life at risk by helping fraudulent people in getting an individuals personal details.

M
M
Miled
US
Send a message
Jan 14, 2012 2:09 pm EST

Ordered the supposed ' 1 month for $14.95 ' and was immediately billed $179.40 ! With no confirmation, e-mail or other correspondence, they just took the $ . Impossible to get a refund ! Their "background info" is bogus! DO NOT USE THESE PEOPLE!

You will also get duped! Tell everyone you know .

R
R
R. Cabral
San Bernardino, US
Send a message
Apr 17, 2014 11:03 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I also click on this website believing the amount charged would be $9.95. Did not agree to $59 charged to my account. Looked up a few people and clicked premium by accident which did not give my any useful additional information. I called Instant Checkmate immediately to cancel the entire service. I was told that $89.14 was "already debit out of my account!" I stated I did not want the service and wanted to be reimbursed which became a process of "please hold while I talk to my manager" for 4 or 5 times with me not agreeing to the amount: #1 $19.99 to be credited to my account, I said, "No", #2 $29 credit to my account...I gave same response, #3 "you agreed to the premium amount of $29, plus the PDR reports and the $9.99 included in the total for $89, can deduct $39...I said, "no", #4 "hold while I talk to my supervisor"..."we can cancelled after this month fees are paid", I said, "no", #5 I told the man that I will not accept anything except $9.95 for one month and want this service discontinued after one month..."you agreed to the premium of $29", " I will talk to my supervisor. #5 "I can credit your account $59"...I gave in since I had been on the phone 45 minutes to get reimbursement. This is the worst mistake I've made using an unknown website...they got $21 out of me for being on the site not even an hour...there is no grace period and the websites pricing is deceiving.

M
M
melissa2013
US
Send a message
Nov 10, 2013 1:22 pm EST

Billing Details

*To get unlimited reports, select a one-month membership for $22.86, a three-month membership for $44.58 ($14.86/mo), or a six-month membership for $59.16 ($9.86/mo). Your membership will automatically renew for the same term unless you cancel before the start of the next term. Instant Checkmate will charge the recurring membership fee of $22.86, $44.58, or $59.16 (depending on the membership option you select) to the same card you use today until you cancel. To cancel, call [protected] between 5am - 10 pm Pacific Standard Time (7 days a week).

THAT IS WHERE YOU PUT YOUR CARD INFO IN ! LEARN TO READ BEFORE SUBMITTING. NO FINE PRINT. ALL CLEARLY STATED ! LESSON LEARNED FOR YOU

N
N
ndpatel2
IN
Send a message
Jul 09, 2013 12:58 am EDT

Pls see the details of complaint lodged with the Company. Till date they have debited USD 60 without my knowledge.

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Nilesh Patel
To: Instant Checkmate Customer Service
Cc: "support@instantcheckmate.com"
Sent: Friday, 21 June 2013 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: PDF Report Generation Enabled

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I have used the services provided by your site once on 15 th june, 2013 have made payment of round 12 USD. During this i have searched profile of one person only and was satisfied with the results.

Since my purpose was solved i have never intended to avail any further servies or monlty/ yearly subscription offered by you. Howver, its surprising to note that today USD 29 have been debited from my credit card registered with you. This is with out any intimation to me or my consent. i have never clicked any link to avails such services.

I therefore reqeust you to immediately reverse the said charges back to my credit card. Failing which i will be forced to take all possible actions against you and take up my greivance at all possible social forum.

Anticipating co-operation in the matter.

Nilesh

Trust badge
Collect Your Trust Badge
Be recognized for outstanding customer service
  1. Instant Checkmate Contacts

  2. Instant Checkmate phone numbers
    +1 (800) 222-8985
    +1 (800) 222-8985
    Click up if you have successfully reached Instant Checkmate by calling +1 (800) 222-8985 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Instant Checkmate by calling +1 (800) 222-8985 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Instant Checkmate by calling +1 (800) 222-8985 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Instant Checkmate by calling +1 (800) 222-8985 phone number
    Customer Support
  3. Instant Checkmate emails
  4. Instant Checkmate address
    3111 Camino Del Rio N Suite 400, San Diego, California, 92108, United States
  5. Instant Checkmate social media
  6. Maria
    Checked and verified by Maria This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn more
    Jul 03, 2025
  7. View all Instant Checkmate contacts
Instant Checkmate Category
Instant Checkmate is ranked 1 among 4 companies in the Public Safety category

Our Commitment

We stand for unbiased reviews

We make sure all complaints and reviews are from real people sharing genuine experiences.

We help resolving issues

We offer easy tools for businesses and reviewers to solve issues together. Learn how it works.

We advocate freedom of speech

We support and promote the right for reviewers to express their opinions and ideas freely without censorship or restrictions, as long as it's respectful and within our Terms and Conditions, of course ;)

We ensure transparent and fair ratings

Our rating system is open and honest, ensuring unbiased evaluations for all businesses on the platform. Learn more.

We care about your privacy

Personal details of reviewers are strictly confidential and hidden from everyone.

We are easy, free and open to everyone

Our website is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and absolutely free for everyone to use.

What are Instant Checkmate working hours?

Mon 24h Tue 24h Wed 24h Thu 24h Fri 24h Sat 24h Sun 24h