| We live in a world that has been dubbed the | | | | of the background check. A lot of people use the |
| Information Age. In other words, almost any | | | | phrase "background check," as a coverall that |
| knowledge we need to access is findable. Not only | | | | could mean many things. Be sure you know what |
| that, but a large portion of that material is | | | | information, specifically, you want to uncover. |
| available online. The internet is a huge bubbling | | | | Possibilities may include: |
| cauldron of facts just waiting to be found - if you | | | | A criminal history check will vary from state to |
| know how to find, and search, the appropriate | | | | state on what is allowed as public information. |
| resources. | | | | Some states will report any and all criminal |
| From personal to business relationships, almost | | | | charges while others will only report charges the |
| every single facet of our lives has us associating | | | | person has been convicted of. |
| with other people. Think about that for a minute. | | | | An employment background check is meant to |
| About the only time we don't actively participate | | | | verify everything from past positions of |
| in some fashion with another person is when | | | | employment to educational degrees received. |
| we're sleeping. In its own way, that thought is a | | | | Basically, it will confirm or negate your applicant's |
| little mind boggling. After all, with that much | | | | resume. |
| contact, how can we be sure that those we | | | | A driving record background check is most often |
| associate with are who they say they are? | | | | needed for anyone applying for any sort of |
| What does this mean? For most of us, it means | | | | driving position. From truck drivers to bus drivers |
| that at one point or another we're going to | | | | to limousine drivers, a driving record will show if |
| require additional information about someone in | | | | there are any issues with the applicant's license as |
| our lives. Maybe for you it's an ongoing issue, as in | | | | well as if there are any DUI incidents. |
| the need to check out possible tenants; or maybe | | | | A general background check is a way of verifying |
| it's just a one time only sort of thing, as in the | | | | certain general information about the person in |
| verification of a contractor for your home. | | | | question. Where they've lived, where they went |
| Regardless, when the time comes for you to | | | | to school, what jobs they've held, if they've been |
| perform a background check on someone, how | | | | married and/or divorced. Usually, a general |
| do you do it? Where do you go and what steps | | | | background check only will give back information |
| can you take on your own? | | | | that is on public record in one form or another. |
| With strict laws varying from the federal level on | | | | Now it's time to go through the information |
| down to the state level; even public records can | | | | you've gathered to see what additional facts you |
| be mystifying. Each governing body, while they | | | | can glean. If your goal is to verify that a potential |
| have to abide by federal law standards, can alter | | | | tenant has been a responsible renter in the past, |
| their own state laws pertaining to public records. | | | | you'll want to check with previous landlords and |
| So, where do you start? After all, in the process | | | | property management companies. |
| of finding the information you need to know, you | | | | Thinking about investing some money in a new |
| also are required to stay within the parameters of | | | | start up company? You'll want to be sure there is |
| the law. | | | | no history of fraud, deceit, or previous business |
| The best place to begin is determining why you | | | | deals that have gone bad. Likely, you should also |
| feel the need to perform a background search in | | | | interview any current as well as all past business |
| the first place. While it doesn't really change how | | | | partners of the person in question. |
| you'll go about locating the information you desire; | | | | Putting a new roof on your house, hiring a |
| it will make a difference in when, and where, you | | | | landscaping company, or even having your trees |
| start the process. If you're hiring a new | | | | trimmed require an investigation into prior clients, |
| employee, for example, you'll be ahead of the | | | | the business standing of the company, as well as |
| pack. All potential employees in every single | | | | verifying that who you're hiring has done quality |
| industry in our country are required by their | | | | work in the past. You'll want to be sure there are |
| prospective employers to fill out an application | | | | no complaints filed with any regulating company |
| form. This is good news if you're the employer, | | | | by past customers. |
| because you have a plethora of information to | | | | On a more personal matter, if you're attempting |
| begin with. | | | | to ascertain that a possible nanny for your |
| While there are a multitude of databases, both | | | | children is a safe and reliable caregiver; you'll want |
| online and off, without the proper identifying | | | | to contact past employers and search for a |
| information you're not likely going to find anything | | | | criminal history - if they're going to be driving your |
| of value. So, the best place to begin is in gathering | | | | kids around, you'll also want to see what their |
| whatever facts about the person in question you | | | | driving record looks like. |
| can. | | | | Each of the above examples personify why |
| Basic questions to answer are: | | | | someone would want to conduct a background |
| What is their full name (middle name too, or at | | | | search on another person. It's about safety; |
| least the initial.) | | | | protecting your family, your business, your home, |
| What is their current address? | | | | and your money. No matter what your reason is, |
| What is their current phone number? | | | | once it's time to interview those names you've |
| What is their date of birth? | | | | found, be ready with a set of questions. |
| What is their social security number? | | | | Here are some guidelines that may pertain to |
| Obviously, if you're trying to covertly look into | | | | your individual situation: |
| someone's background without their knowledge, | | | | If you're confirming a person's education - phone |
| and without the benefit of an application to go off | | | | the identified school and ask to speak with the |
| of, you're going to have to work a little harder to | | | | registrar's office. Some schools will readily give |
| get the basics you'll need. So, why should you | | | | educational credentials over the phone - but for |
| work so hard to get it? Because without at least | | | | others, you'll have to supply a signed release. |
| general identifying information, you're going to | | | | If you're verifying past employment - ask to |
| have an extremely difficult time actually finding | | | | speak with the supervisor the applicant named in |
| anything pertinent on the person. Especially if they | | | | the employment application, if they neglected to |
| have a common first and last name - do a search | | | | name a supervisor, ask for Human Resources. |
| on John Smith and see how many hits you get. | | | | Many companies will only verify if an individual has |
| If you're not lucky enough to have an | | | | worked for them, and what their dates of |
| employment application happily filled out in front of | | | | employment were. Others, especially if you are |
| you, where do you find the above information? | | | | able to speak with the supervisor, will answer |
| Several places to look are: | | | | more direct questions about attitude, job |
| Telephone and address information, check online | | | | performance, attendance, etc. |
| telephone directories. If you know their full name | | | | If you're confirming a business is legitimate - |
| as well as their city and state, you may locate | | | | phone the appropriate community organizations |
| their address and phone number in one shot. | | | | and companies that regulate the operations of |
| Telephone, address, and other possible | | | | businesses. Ask if there are any complaints or |
| information, check your library's criss-cross | | | | violations filed against the business you are |
| directory (also called a city directory or a | | | | investigating. If there are, gather as much |
| household directory). You can access this | | | | information as you can - what the complaint |
| database at your local library, and in many cases, | | | | violation was, and if the person/company in |
| online as well. What this directory will do for you is | | | | question responded to the complaint and/or |
| give you further information, such as phone | | | | violation, and what their response was. |
| numbers, church affiliations, and the listed | | | | If you're trying to gain general information about |
| addresses, phone numbers, and names of area | | | | a person - talk to past neighbors, coworkers, etc., |
| residents. | | | | and ask how long they've known the person |
| For birthdates, check online birthday directories. | | | | you're investigating, how well they know them, |
| There are a few free sites online with millions of | | | | and any other questions that may deal specifically |
| names and registered dates of birth in their | | | | with your situation. |
| registries. You simply type in their full name, | | | | Another option, if the person you are running a |
| approximate age, and click search. If you know | | | | background check on has a unique name, try |
| the state, that helps narrow down common | | | | entering it into one of the myriad of online search |
| names into an easier to navigate list. | | | | sites available. You may find articles they've |
| To locate a social security number, check various | | | | written, organizations they're a part of, business |
| public records. If they've ever received a speeding | | | | affiliations they're associated with, complaints |
| ticket, a divorce, or filed bankruptcy you'll likely be | | | | others have made about them, blog entries by |
| able to locate their social security number by | | | | them or about them. The information technology |
| accessing various public records - namely, court | | | | on the web may pull up exactly what you need - |
| records. State laws vary from state to state on | | | | but be sure to thoroughly investigate any "facts" |
| what is deemed a "public" record, so do your | | | | you do find - to ascertain they are indeed facts. |
| research on the state in question. | | | | If at the end of all the information gathering, all |
| To locate a social security number you could also | | | | the interviewing, all the phoning around; you still |
| pay for an online broker/search agent to find the | | | | feel you are missing facts that you need to have |
| information for you. For a small fee they'll likely be | | | | - you may want to consider using one of the |
| able to access public records on a more | | | | investigation companies you can find online. Most |
| expedited basis. | | | | of them charge a reasonable fee to run various |
| It's important to understand that there are | | | | types of background checks on any individual you |
| privacy laws in place, as well. If you're attempting | | | | want. |
| to gain certain information, especially as part of a | | | | Realize, however, that you will still need as much |
| pre-employment screening, you will need to have | | | | identifying information as you can possibly get a |
| a signed "Release of Information," form. With | | | | hold of. Also, be aware, that whatever |
| privacy laws, there is some data you're just not | | | | information they are able to find for you will likely |
| going to be able to retrieve without this. If you're | | | | come from public records. It is unlikely that they |
| an employer, simply attach a release of | | | | will be able to uncover something that you |
| information form to the bottom of your | | | | couldn't uncover on your own - given enough time |
| employment application. | | | | and effort. However, they do have large |
| Other information that should be on an | | | | databases at their disposal and are likely to get |
| employment application, whether for a company | | | | the job done faster. |
| or for personal employment (such as a home | | | | Do your research before choosing such a |
| contractor or for childcare) are as follows: | | | | company. Some are better at it than others - use |
| What is their current/most previous position? | | | | your computer to do your own "check" on the |
| What are their last three positions? Try to get | | | | online investigation companies you are considering. |
| the address, phone number, and supervisor | | | | Before you spend your money, know who you're |
| names. | | | | giving it to. |
| Who are three character references? Professional | | | | Whatever your reason - whatever your situation; |
| references? With addresses and phone numbers. | | | | if you decide it is necessary for you to perform a |
| Their driver's license number, type of license, and | | | | background check on a person, make sure you |
| the issuing state. | | | | are educated in how you approach it. Be exact in |
| What are their last three residential addresses? | | | | your goals, spread your net wide, and get the |
| Your next step is to determine what exact | | | | information you need so you, your family, and |
| information you're hoping to gather in the scope | | | | your business are protected. |