Archives.com Is Not a Scam
When you’re shopping online it can be difficult to identify which websites are scams and which are legitimate. Family history websites are no exception. Fortunately, plenty of companies out there are trustworthy.
Archives.com is a family history website with an “A” rating from the Better Business Bureau. Archives allows people to access over 1.5 billion records, build family trees, and learn from expert resources.
Here are reasons that, unlike an online scam, Archives is credible:
- Named one of the 101 Best Websites in 2011 by Family Tree Magazine
- Accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2008, certified by TRUSTe, VeriSign secured checkout.
- Online and phone customer service support.
- Mentioned in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, FamilyTreeMagazine, and other publications.
Here are some details that will help you differentiate between Archives, scams, and the competition.
7-Day Free Trial
Archives.com offers a 7-day free trial, allowing you to try out the website before you pay. To try it, you enter your name, email, and credit card information to ensure uninterrupted service. Rather than being a scam, Archives will not charge your card if you decide to cancel within the trial period. If you keep your membership, you will be billed one payment of $39.95 annually. You can cancel any time to prevent future billing.
The annual membership at Archives.com is a fraction of the cost of some other family history websites. Archives.com doesn’t charge more for access to international records collections, which are included with your membership.
Customer Support
For membership and billing questions, it’s best to contact Archives.com directly:
Mail
P.O. Box 391146
Omaha, NE 68139
support@archives.com
An agent can help you with your question, inquiry, or complaint and can help you resolve any issue with the website. You can find many responses online where people are thankful for assistance they received.
You may see some posts out there that make claims about Archives scams, but these are untrue.
Archives Scam? No. Here’s the Truth:
- When you sign up for a free trial, Archives.com won’t charge your credit card until after the seventh day. This gives you a chance to evaluate the membership first. Cancel online or email support@archives.com for assistance.
- Archives.com will notify you via email before a recurring charge. If you purchase the 7-day free trial you will be billed $39.95 annually (you’ll be locked into this low price even if it increases in the future).
- The Archives.com terms and conditions DO NOT prevent you from getting a refund if you feel you were charged incorrectly—contact Archives.com customer service for assistance.
Certifications and Security Show Archives is Not a Scam
- Archives’ parent company Inflection is BBB accredited since 2008. BBB.org
- TRUSTe Privacy Seal Program certified. TRUSTe.com
- VeriSign secure checkout. VeriSign.com
Why This Site is Not a Scam. Archives.com Features
Far from being a scam, Archives.com is one of the most robust family history websites available. Here are a few of the main features:
- 1.5+ billion historical records including vital, census, newspapers, military, immigration, and others. Easy-to-use tools help you build and share your family tree.
- Partner offers and discounts: DNA testing through Family Tree DNA, hard-copy vital certificates, court runner network, OneGreatFamily and NewspaperARCHIVE memberships.
- Expert Series articles offering tips and tutorials.
Considering how many scams exist, it’s helpful to know which websites are actual scams, and which ones deliver real value. Though Archives.com is relatively new to the industry, it has grown quickly to be one of the most visited family history websites in the U.S.
Direct customer questions to support@archives.com.
