Whether you’re hiring a new employee, interviewing a prospective tenant, or meeting a potential romantic partner, there are numerous reasons to investigate someone’s past. Background checks can provide you with information about an individual’s criminal history, employment history, education history, and more. Below, we’ll share some helpful tips for choosing the right background check website.
Identify your needs and goals.
The first thing you need to consider is what type of information you’re looking for. If you’re just trying to confirm someone’s identity or find out if they have a criminal record, then a basic free background check should suffice. Many local county websites offer free public records, property records, and—depending on the jurisdiction—arrest records.
Social media can be another great free resource for learning basic information about someone. It might not tell you about their criminal history, but you can learn a lot of information about a person from their Twitter or Facebook accounts, including their political and personal beliefs.
Understand the different types of background checks.
A criminal background check will reveal any criminal convictions that the individual has. This can include misdemeanors and felonies and can be useful for employers who are looking to hire new employees or for landlords who are looking to rent out their property.
A credit check will reveal any past bankruptcies or unpaid debts that the individual has. This can be useful for employers who are looking to do a credit check on potential employees, as it can help them determine whether or not the individual is responsible with money.
You can request a driving record check to find out about any DUIs or traffic violations that the individual might have. These checks are useful for employers who are looking to hire new drivers, as they can help them determine whether or not the individual is a responsible driver.
Finally, a sex offender registry check will reveal whether or not the individual is registered as a sex offender. This can be useful for employers or landlords, as it can help them determine whether or not the individual is a safe person to be around children.
Consider the cost.
Another thing to consider is cost. Most websites offer various packages with different levels of access and detail. It’s important to find one that fits your budget without sacrificing the quality of the information you receive. Some background check websites have a free trial period, while others may offer discounts and free subscriptions for certain users (e.g., members of criminal justice agencies).
There are a few factors that can make a background check more expensive. The most expensive background checks are usually those that are conducted for employment purposes. This is because they generally require a more comprehensive search of a person’s criminal history, including prior arrests or convictions, and whether they have a felony on their record.
Another factor that can affect the cost of a background check is the type of report that is ordered. For example, a basic criminal history report will generally be less expensive than a report that includes more detailed information, such as motor vehicle records or employment history.
Read the reviews.
Before using a background check website, it’s important to do your research. Compare ratings for different services and read reviews for both the good and bad experiences other users have had with specific websites to make an informed decision about which site to use. Reading customer reviews can help you determine if a website is user-friendly, reliable, and trustworthy.
It’s important to be wary of potential scams. Never provide a website with your personal information unless you have verified that the website host is reputable and legitimate.
Overall, it is important to choose the right background check website to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones. The website you choose should have a good reputation and be able to provide you with the information you need in a timely and accurate manner.
