Are There Any Free Background Check Services Available? The Truth About Online Background Checks

In today’s fast-paced society, it’s becoming increasingly common for people to conduct background checks on individuals they encounter in their personal and professional lives. Employers will often run a background check on a job applicant to ensure they’re hiring the right person. However, background checks can be costly and can also be time-consuming. So, what do you do if you need a background check but are working with a tight budget? Are there any free background check services available? Let’s take a closer look.

The Truth Behind Free Background Check Services

In a perfect world, free background check services would be readily available for anyone who needs them. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The vast majority of free background check services are unreliable, inaccurate, and downright dangerous. Some “free” background check services may require users to create an account and expose user data to adware and viruses. Additionally, most free background check services don’t have access to the extensive databases that reputable background check services use.

While there are some websites that claim to offer free background checks, these sites often have a hidden agenda. Many of these sites will require users to provide personal details such as a social security number or credit card information in order to receive the free background check. This is often a ploy to steal personal information for financial gain. In the end, it’s important to remember the old adage “you get what you pay for.”

Are There Affordable Background Check Services Available?

While free background check services might not be the best option, there are some affordable background check services available for those on a tight budget. Independent background check websites such as BeenVerified and TruthFinder offer low-cost initial membership fees and monthly subscriptions. These sites are known for their comprehensive and accurate reports, making them a much safer and reliable option than free background check services.

Another option to consider is using government resources. Depending on your needs, there are many government resources available to conduct background checks. For example, police departments can provide criminal background checks, while HRSA’s National Practitioner Data Bank can be used to check a doctor or nurse’s professional license.

Things to Consider when Choosing a Background Check Service

It’s crucial to do your research when choosing a background check service. Not all services are created equal. Here are some things to consider when choosing a background check service:

1. Price - While you don’t want to sacrifice quality for cost, it’s important to consider what you can afford.

2. Accuracy – You want to choose a background check service that has a reputation for providing accurate information.

3. Customer reviews – A quick Google search can give you insight into what other customers are saying about the service.

4. Testing – Independent testing and reviews from trusted sources such as CNET can be invaluable when deciding which background check service to use.

5. Ease of use – You want a background check service that is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

In conclusion, while free background check services may seem tempting, they’re often unreliable and dangerous. For those on a tight budget, affordable background check services such as BeenVerified and TruthFinder offer extensive reports at a low cost. It’s important to do your research when choosing a background check service, and to prioritize accuracy and user safety over cost.