Background Check Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Select a Question:
What is a Criminal Background Check?
What will show on a Background Check Report?
How do I perform a Criminal Background Check?
Who can use Criminal Background Checks?
Does a Free Background Check Exist?
Can other People Run a Background Check on me without my Permission?
Will They See Everything about me on my Background Check Report?
What are other Types of Background Checks?
What is a Criminal Background Check?
A criminal background check is a process of looking up various criminal records and other police and government records for use in employment, investigation, and personal purposes. Most of the Data are gathered from various databases throughout the states. All these information are then compiled into a background check report and will contain any and all infractions that are called "red flags". For most employment purposes, these "red flags" can be used as basis for denying a potential applicant a job position.
What will show on a Background Check Report?
The amount of data that composes a Background Check Report is dependent on many factors:
- One factor would be is the type of background check that is run
- The Degree of Sensitivity of the purpose for the Background Check, for example a background check for a menial minimum wage job would contain far less information than that of a check performed for someone applying for a job at the CIA.
- The amount of information requested by the client. Most background checking agencies, companies and sites offer an option for its customers to select different types of information they would like to be included in the report.
Here are the items of information and data that can show up on your background check depending on the situations stated above:
| Criminal Records |
Vehicle Records |
Physiological Evaluation |
| Incarceration Records |
Drug Tests |
Military Records |
| Sex Offender Records |
Education Records |
Social Security Number |
| Citizenship Status |
Employment Records |
Travel Records |
| Immigration Status |
Financial Information |
Driving Records |
| Legal Working Status |
Licensing Records |
Mental Records |
| Litigation Records |
Medical Records |
Other Interpersonal Interviews |
How do I perform a Criminal Background Check?
Here are some ways you can perform a Criminal Background Check:
- The most basic and oldest way to perform a background check in most states is to go to a local sheriff's office or a local court house. Most police departments have computers that are tied in to a government run criminal background check database. Nowadays, police officers can even run a background check on you inside their police cars. Although for the public to request a background check from them, a signed consent form and a small fee for the background check copy is required before they can provide the report.
- There are now also numerous background checking agencies and companies scattered throughout the United States. These agencies are commonly used by organizations, landlords, large companies and corporations, as well as small business. They are generally preferred because of the number of background checks ran by these companies. You can easily find these companies by looking through your local directory.
- Another popular option for most private citizens who want to run a background check anonymously is by performing the background check online. There are numerous sites that offer the service, and they vary in the information they can offer and the prices for the information. Some sites even offer memberships where clients can then run unlimited background checks during the membership. It is also important to stay away from sites that claim to offer the service for free as most of these sites are either scams or spam.
Who can use Criminal Background Checks?
With the recent attacks on the United States and since the 9-11 terrorist attack, background checking and employment verification are becoming more and more common. In the past, these checks were only performed by corporations, the government and other large institutions, but now almost anyone can perform a background check.
Information and data found on background checks are considered public, these includes criminal records, sex offender listings, and other similar records that are made public. This is to ensure the security of companies, individuals as well as for the entire country. Studies have also shown that in most cases more than half of job applicants lie on their resumes, that is why the main use of these background checks are for employment verifications.
Common Uses of Background Checks:
- Employment Verification and Checking
- Tenant Verification
- Immigration / Migration / Citizenship
- Identity Verification
- Criminal Records check
- Other personal uses
For more information on the laws that govern background checking in the United States
Visit:
The Fair Credit Reporting Act
Does a Free Background Check Exist?
Although there are ways to manually gather the necessary information found on a background check report. The overall cost and effort would far exceed what you would spend on simply purchasing a report online or from a background checking agency.
The reason why background checks aren't free is because the businesses and agencies that offer this service are paying to have access to multiple databases throughout the states. They have also paid contacts inside different institutions and government departments to get their information, aside from the money they spend on the information and data, they also need man power to create the reports, marketing, equipment, etc. So it is only reasonable and obvious that they charge their clients in return.
Background Checking is a legitimate business and it has been for a number of years and as business they are in it for the profit. You might see some sites online that say they offer these checks for free but what they usually are, are scams or spam that lead you into thinking they offer it free then hook you in to download or buy something or worst, plant a virus or bug on your pc.
There are, however numerous sites and agencies on some states that are put up by the government and sponsored by the state, some charge very little and some even are free, but these vary from state to state. You can ask a local official or a court house in your area if they have a government run background checking system.
Can other People Run a Background Check on me without my Permission?
Yes they can. The data and information found on a background check report is considered public and therefore accessible to the public, these means that anyone can have access to your court records, arrest records, and other records with your name on it.
Will They See Everything about me on my Background Check Report?
No, some records are considered off limits to the public. There are also various records that are protected by laws and accessing them is punishable, these include records when you were a minor as well as all types of medical records. There is also an option to have a records expunged or sealed by the courts, but this would require the assistance of a lawyer and may take some time to accomplish.
What are other Types of Background Checks?
There are different types of background checks. The type of background check is basically based on the purpose.
Here are the most common Types of Background Checks:
- Employment Screening Background Checks
- Tenant Screening Background Checks
- Gun Purchase Background Checks
- Character Reference Checks
- Education Reference Background Checks
- Identity Verification Background Check
- Personal Background Checks Uses
