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Business Profile

Genealogy

FamilyTreeNow.com

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Genealogy.

Important information

  • Customer Complaint:

    BBB has received a number of complaints for FamilyTreeNow.com concerning public information which can be found by doing a records search of an individual's name and city, state, and/or birth date. Complainants are typically unhappy that FamilyTreeNow.com can be used to look up personal information such as current and past addresses as well as possible relatives. 

    The company generally responds to these complaints by removing the consumer's information from public view or explaining how the complainant can "opt out" of having their information searchable.

    Consumers can have their information removed from the website by following the directions on this link: www.familytreenow.com/optout

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 80 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 21 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

Sort by

Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/07/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    The site Family Tree Now.com provides publically found information free of charge to anyone who wishes to search like many other sites. However, I have recently found that a good deal of the information pertaining to me personally is false; wrong address, phone numbers, associates. I would like my personal information to be removed from their site entirely and using their site to request that my information be removed gives them the permission to sell my information to others which is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/08/2023

    Hello,

    We have submitted your listing for removal, per your request.

    Please allow 3-5 business days for this to **************.

    Note that certain requests may take longer as we verify the identity of the requestor. Ensure that you clear your browser cache and do not click on saved links. Please re-perform the search to verify your request.

    Best regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support
     
    NOTE:  ********************** is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:03/02/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
     
    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

    Business Response

    Date: 03/07/2023

    Hello,

    Experian, Discover, and other companies offer a data monitoring service that scans multiple people search sites for your information. If our site appears in the results, it means we have a record for you on our site. It does not mean we have ran a credit report on you. All the information on our site comes from <b>public record</b>, not from running your credit report. 

    If you wish to have your information removed, you may do so using the link found in our Privacy Policy.

    Best Regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support

    NOTE:  ********************** is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/20/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    FamilyTreeNow.com, by its own name represents a typical free genealogical company. Since I do Genealogical work and have for years, I can tell you that it is anything but typical. Reputable services, whether pay or free have built in protections for living people, for adults as well as children. These sites include pay sites (Ancestry, MyHeritage) as well as free sites such as Wikitree. While all these sites operate differently, they do safeguard your identity, except when you communicate personally through an email. FamilyTreeNow is deceptively using information by posing as a genealogy site, and disguising it's true intent. When trying to remove my information it simply goes to the next page to allow you to do a search by providing even more information, which they may or may not have. It also states the following: If you are looking to find current information on people instead of genealogy records, there's an even better site, TruePeopleSearch.com. It's a 100% free people search site that millions of people use. Search options: Free People Search - Free Reverse Phone Lookup - Free Address Lookup. Genealogical research does not need to employ these tools as the focus is primarily ancestral.

    Business Response

    Date: 02/21/2023

    Hello,

    We have submitted your listing for removal, per your request.

    Please allow 3-5 business days for this to **************.

    Note that certain requests may take longer as we verify the identity of the requestor. Ensure that you clear your browser cache and do not click on saved links. Please re-perform the search to verify your request.

    Best regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support
     
    NOTE:  ********************** is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/20/2023

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.

    I am rejecting this response because:

    this company has HUNDREDS of identifying markers that go to several accounts THEY made! Until proof is shown I do NOT accept this response. I want to be assured this company will NEVER use my information on ANY of its pages!


    Business Response

    Date: 02/21/2023

    Hello,

    We have submitted your listing for removal, per your request.

    Please allow 3-5 business days for this to **************.

    Note that certain requests may take longer as we verify the identity of the requestor. Ensure that you clear your browser cache and do not click on saved links. Please re-perform the search to verify your request.

    Best regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support
     
    NOTE:  ********************** is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:02/11/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    This company is displaying my familys personal information without our consent. It wouldnt be an issue if they only listed our birth years and names, but they have phone numbers and addresses, too. Specifically, I take issue with my mothers information being listed. I would like this information to be removed from the website.

    Business Response

    Date: 02/14/2023

    Hello,

    We have submitted your listing for removal, per your request.

    Please allow 3-5 business days for this to **************.

    Note that certain requests may take longer as we verify the identity of the requestor. Ensure that you clear your browser cache and do not click on saved links. Please re-perform the search to verify your request.

    Best regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support
     
    NOTE:  ********************** is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/28/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    A great deal of personal information and information about where and who I have Lived with is listed and I never gave that information nor should it be so accessible to anyone. Not sure how any of that info was even obtained and I certainly don't want it public for safety reasons.

    Business Response

    Date: 02/01/2023

    Hello,

    We have submitted your listing for removal, per your request.

    Please allow 3-5 business days for this to reflect online.

    Note that certain requests may take longer as we verify the identity of the requestor. Ensure that you clear your browser cache and do not click on saved links. Please re-perform the search to verify your request.

    Best regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support
     
    NOTE:  FamilyTreeNow is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) as defined by the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/25/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I'm looking to have my personal information removed from their website. I have tried to use the opt-out feature but it will not work. I have tried to contact someone through the phone number and email feature to have my information removed. I like to have my personal information removed from the website.

    Business Response

    Date: 02/01/2023

    Hello,

    We have submitted your listing for removal, per your request.

    Please allow 3-5 business days for this to reflect online.

    Note that certain requests may take longer as we verify the identity of the requestor. Ensure that you clear your browser cache and do not click on saved links. Please re-perform the search to verify your request.

    Best regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support
     
    NOTE:  FamilyTreeNow is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) as defined by the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/23/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
     
    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
    Thank you. 

    Business Response

    Date: 01/31/2023

    Hello,

    We have submitted your listing for removal, per your request.

    Please allow 3-5 business days for this to **************.

    Note that certain requests may take longer as we verify the identity of the requestor. Ensure that you clear your browser cache and do not click on saved links. Please re-perform the search to verify your request.

    Best regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support
     
    NOTE:  ********************** is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/29/2022

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.

     
    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I have initiated the opt out portion, and am waiting for confirmation. if not removed in the alotted time frame that was supplied o me, i will resubmit my complaint.

    Thank you for your assistence


    Business Response

    Date: 01/03/2023

    Hello,

    We are happy to assist you with the removal of your information from our website.

    Please go to the link below and carefully follow the instructions. Make sure you complete the steps involving searching for your name, and selecting it for removal.
    You will need to click 'View Details' on your search result to see the 'Opt Out This Record' button
    *****************************************

    If you are a ********** resident and are looking to exercise your right to opt out under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please click on the link titled Do Not Sell My Personal Information on the footer of our home page.

    For additional information about the removal of your information, please visit our Privacy Policy found at
    ******************************************

    Thank you,
    FamilyTreeNow.com

    NOTE:  FamilyTreeNow is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/22/2022

    Type:Customer Service Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.

    I am rejecting this response because:

    Family Tree Now already has an unprecedented amount of my personal information on file which has been exposed worldwide. It may even be the reason someone was trying to fradulently sell a piece of real estate that I own a month or so ago.

    There's no way I'm willing to give Family Tree Now even more information by using the prescribed "opt out" process.  Even if I were willing to acquiescent (which I'm not), other BBB complainants and internet reviewers of Family Tree Now state that the "opt out" button results in a "circular loop" with no results.

    Family Tree Now needs to INTERNALLY strike any and all traces of my personal records and affiliations from their database(s).  I've already spent too much time trying to protect my safety, privacy, and identity through no fault of my own.  This during the Christmas season no less!

    Regards.

    Business Response

    Date: 12/23/2022

    Hello,

    We are happy to assist you with the removal of your information from our website.

    Please go to the link below and carefully follow the instructions. Make sure you complete the steps involving searching for your name, and selecting it for removal.
    You will need to click 'View Details' on your search result to see the 'Opt Out This Record' button
    *****************************************

    If you are a ********** resident and are looking to exercise your right to opt out under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please click on the link titled Do Not Sell My Personal Information on the footer of our home page.

    For additional information about the removal of your information, please visit our Privacy Policy found at
    ******************************************

    Thank you,
    FamilyTreeNow.com

    NOTE:  FamilyTreeNow is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/03/2023

    Hello,

    Our opt out system only asks for you email address, which is used only for the processing of your opt out request. Access to our site is limited to ***************** only.
    We have submitted your listing for removal, per your request.

    Please allow 3-5 business days for this to **************.

    Note that certain requests may take longer as we verify the identity of the requestor. Ensure that you clear your browser cache and do not click on saved links. Please re-perform the search to verify your request.

    Best regards,
    FamilyTreeNow Customer Support
     
    NOTE:  ********************** is dedicated to helping you find people and learn more about them in a safe and responsible manner. FamilyTreeNow is not a ************************* (CRA) as defined by the **** (Fair Credit Reporting Act). This site cannot be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any related purpose. To learn more, please visit our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

    Customer Answer

    Date: 01/04/2023

    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my concern, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.  The search engine link is still there but when that link is clicked on, the result returned is "We couldn't find the page you're looking for, sorry.  :( "

    The business removed my very personal records from their database(s) without me having to physically go to their site and "opt out" (giving them yet more personal info).  Please note that this resolved complaint is an INDEFINITE, STANDING NOTICE to Family Tree Now and ALL their affiliates.  Too much personal information on individuals is being published which may put people at serious risk.

    Thank you BBB!

      

FamilyTreeNow.com is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

To become accredited, a business must agree to BBB Standards for Trust and pass BBB's vetting process.

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