Background checks have become an essential tool in today's world for a variety of reasons, from improving safety to reducing liability. If you're considering running a background check for any reason, whether for personal or business reasons, there are a few things to keep in mind. In this post, we'll explore the various methods available for a background check, which options are best suited for different scenarios, and the benefits of performing one.
How to Perform a background check?
The first thing to consider when performing a background check is the type of information you're looking for. For example, if you're a business owner looking to screen potential employees, you may be interested in criminal history, work experience, educational background, or employment history. Personal background checks may explore criminal records, credit history, or driving records.
Once you've determined the type of information you'd like to uncover, it's time to consider the options available for background checks.
Method 1: Online Databases
Online databases are a popular choice for background checks because they offer quick and inexpensive results. Companies like Intelius, BeenVerified, and TruthFinder offer a wide range of search options, including criminal record searches, public records, and social media searches.
With online databases, you can perform background checks on yourself or anyone else from the comfort of your own home. However, it's important to be mindful of the limitations of online background checks. While they can provide you with plenty of information, there's no guarantee that it's accurate or complete. To get the most comprehensive information available, you may need to turn to other methods as well.
Method 2: background check Services
background check services offer a more thorough option for conducting a background check. These companies typically gather information from a variety of sources, including federal, state, and local databases, criminal and civil court records, and credit monitoring systems. Some reputable background check services are GoodHire and HireRight.
While background check services may be more expensive than online databases, they offer peace of mind and a more complete picture of an individual's history. Additionally, because they're more comprehensive, they can help businesses avoid legal issues by ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
Method 3: Hire a Private Investigator
If you're dealing with a particularly difficult or sensitive issue and need more detail, hiring a private investigator may be the best solution. Private investigators can access information that may not be available to the public, such as sealed or expunged records.
Although private investigators are the most expensive option, they can be invaluable when seeking detailed information, such as when investigating a potential business partner or uncovering evidence in legal proceedings.
Conclusion
After examining the different methods available for conducting a background check, the question remains: "Why perform a background check?"
The benefits of performing a background check are numerous. For personal reasons, running a background check can help protect yourself against potential scammers or fraudsters, ensure the safety of your family or loved ones, or simply give you peace of mind about the people you interact with.
For businesses, conducting background checks is often a legal obligation, as employers must ensure that their employees are trustworthy and pose no threat to fellow employees or the public. Beyond compliance, however, background checks can help minimize risk by reducing instances of theft or fraud and improving overall employee quality.
In conclusion, whatever your reasons may be for running a background check, it's critical to choose the right method and ensure the information you collect is accurate, complete, and relevant to your needs. By doing so, you'll enjoy greater peace of mind, reduced risk, and the ability to make more informed decisions based on the information you've uncovered.
