How to Do a Background Check

A background check can tell you a lot about an individual: their criminal history, any permits they possess, their education and employment history, and more. The use of background checks is wide-spread; for instance, most employers perform background checks on potential employees to screen for issues in their past, as well as to check for accuracy on an applicant's resume. Many people don't realize that the ability to perform a background check is afforded to anyone who has access to a computer. Because the information you can uncover in a consumer background check is a matter of public record, it is not illegal for you to use a background check service – as long as your intent is not malevolent. If you wish to do a background check on potential babysitters or child care-givers, teachers, coaches, or other individuals who will have exclusive access to your child, read on to learn how to do a background check:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start a Basic Search Online
   
   Before you spend the money to do a background check, try utilizing a free search engine to initiate your own investigation into the individual's past history. A simple online search may give you all the information you need to make your final decision about the individual you are researching. Google is a good choice for seeking out information on an individual. To start, just type the person's full first and last name, surrounding it with quotation marks (“”). If the person's name is particularly common, you may also want to include the state you live in, by using the model “FIRST NAME LAST NAME + STATE.” Then, hit search, and sift through the results to see what you find.
   
   Certain types of information are a matter of public record, and doing a search online can help you uncover court documents, arrest records, even opinions about the individual's demeanor or abilities written by other people. Other things you may be able to uncover include social networking profiles, blogs and journals, and personal websites, which can help you learn more about the individual on a personal level.

2. Find an Appropriate Background Check Service
   
   If a simple online search isn't sufficient to provide you with the information you need, then paying for a background check may be the next step. Background checks usually come at a fairly affordable rate – ranging anywhere from $10 to $25 – and divulge information like past employment, permit statuses, past addresses, aliases, and other personal information. Criminal background information is also available, although most background check services charge an additional fee for this information. With a criminal background check, you can learn about any arrests, charges, convictions, and other information about the individual's criminal past that may help you make a decision about associating with or hiring that person.
   
   Keep in mind that things like credit history and other sensitive information is not available to consumers, and it is illegal to obtain this information about another individual without their prior knowledge and approval. Using a service like Accurant to obtain this information as a consumer would be illegal, and is punishable by federal law. Services like Accurant are reserved for employers, debt collection organizations, attorneys, and other qualified individuals who are legally permitted by law to access the information those services provide.
   
   Below are a few different background check services available to consumers. Visit each address to learn more about the background check services they provide, their respective fees, and how to obtain a background check report:
   
   US Search
   http://www.ussearch.com/
   
   Intelius
   http://www.intelius.com
   
   CrimCheck
   http://www.crimcheck.com/

3. Provide the Individual's Personal Information and Purchase the Report
   
   To do a basic background check, most background check services merely require an individual's first and last name and current physical address. Some may require additional information, like a Social Security number and date of birth, although this information is usually only required for those wishing to do a background check for a potential employee, like a babysitter or nanny. Once you provide the individual's information, the background check service will search the database to see what information it has available on that person.
   
   If records for that person are found, the background check service will usually denote what information is available; keep in mind that a background check that offers criminal history on an individual does not mean they actually have a criminal history, only that if they have a criminal history, they would be able to provide you details about each (if any) incident. Some services allow you to select exactly what information you want so as to keep the cost of the background check to a minimum. When you have chosen what records you want to purchase from the background check service, input your payment information, and the background check will be immediately available for reviewing.

4. Read the Background Check Thoroughly
   
   Once you have the background check on your screen, you may want to print it out for future reference. Key points to review include criminal history, previous employment and dates the individual worked for each employer, and any permits the person may have. For instance, if you are doing a background check on a potential nanny, and find they have a handgun permit and a previous weapons charge on their record, you may want to reconsider hiring the individual to care for your child.
   
   Keep in mind that as an employer, there are restrictions on what information you can use to base your decision for not hiring an employee. A previous arrest record that never culminated in a conviction is not a reason to deny someone employment, and in fact, you can get into legal trouble for making your decision based on that information. Remember that as a parent hiring a babysitter or nanny, you are considered a type of employer, and your state may require you to follow some or all of the same requirements in place for employers and background checks.