Instant Checkmate searches public records to find criminal and arrest records, address histories, traffic violations, among other pieces of information. Their website separates their reports as Standard and Premium, with the Premium option adding information on civil actions, foreclosures, and even neighbors. They also search social media, which isn't done by other companies due to how difficult it is to find the correct social media profile. Other companies, however, offer many more searches.

Consumers should be aware, however, that Instant Checkmate's reports do not meet the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This means they absolutely cannot be used to make hiring decisions or to check the background of potential tenants. Consumers who want background checks for these purposes must look for companies that are FCRA-compliant.

Founded in 2010, Instant Checkmate is accredited and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. However, reviews on their BBB profile are overwhelmingly negative. Customers complain that they are unable to cancel their memberships, that the information included in the reports is not accurate, and that the customer service hotline has excessively long wait times. More troublingly, some consumers claim their personal information, including criminal records, was used on marketing products. Furthermore, in 2015, the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against Instant Checkmate for issuing consumer reports in violation with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), including a "failure to... assure the maximum possible accuracy" of background check reports. To be clear, Instant Checkmate background checks are not FCRA-compliant and should not be used for employment and tenancy purposes.

Instant Checkmate offers two packages. The first gives customers access to one month of unlimited reports for $34.78, and the second provides three months of unlimited reports for $27.82. However, for this last package, customers are required to purchase three months upfront, which costs $83.47. They advertise Standard and Premium reports, but it is unclear if Premium reports have a cost in addition to the monthly subscription. Furthermore, a look at the fine print reveals that the subscription renews automatically. Customers who decide to go with Instant Checkmate should be aware that their credit card or PayPal account will automatically be charged every month until they decide to cancel their membership.