Background Checks - Finding The Information You Need

Posted on December 29, 2007 - Filed Under Legal and Law

We live in a world that has been dubbed the Information Age. In other words, almost any knowledge we need to access is findable. Not only that, but a large portion of that material is available online. The internet is a huge bubbling cauldron of facts just waiting to be found - if you know how to find, and search, the appropriate resources.

From personal to business relationships, almost every single facet of our lives has us associating with other people. Think about that for a minute. About the only time we don’t actively participate in some fashion with another person is when we’re sleeping. In its own way, that thought is a little mind boggling. After all, with that much contact, how can we be sure that those we associate with are who they say they are?

What does this mean? For most of us, it means that at one point or another we’re going to require additional information about someone in our lives. Maybe for you it’s an ongoing issue, as in the need to check out possible tenants; or maybe it’s just a one time only sort of thing, as in the verification of a contractor for your home. Regardless, when the time comes for you to perform a background check on someone, how do you do it? Where do you go and what steps can you take on your own?

With strict laws varying from the federal level on down to the state level; even public records can be mystifying. Each governing body, while they have to abide by federal law standards, can alter their own state laws pertaining to public records. So, where do you start? After all, in the process of finding the information you need to know, you also are required to stay within the parameters of the law.

The best place to begin is determining why you feel the need to perform a background search in the first place. While it doesn’t really change how you’ll go about locating the information you desire; it will make a difference in when, and where, you start the process. If you’re hiring a new employee, for example, you’ll be ahead of the pack. All potential employees in every single industry in our country are required by their prospective employers to fill out an application form. This is good news if you’re the employer, because you have a plethora of information to begin with.

While there are a multitude of databases, both online and off, without the proper identifying information you’re not likely going to find anything of value. So, the best place to begin is in gathering whatever facts about the person in question you can.

Basic questions to answer are:

What is their full name (middle name too, or at least the initial.)

What is their current address?

What is their current phone number?

What is their date of birth?

What is their social security number?

Obviously, if you’re trying to covertly look into someone’s background without their knowledge, and without the benefit of an application to go off of, you’re going to have to work a little harder to get the basics you’ll need. So, why should you work so hard to get it? Because without at least general identifying information, you’re going to have an extremely difficult time actually finding anything pertinent on the person. Especially if they have a common first and last name – do a search on John Smith and see how many hits you get.

If you’re not lucky enough to have an employment application happily filled out in front of you, where do you find the above information? Several places to look are:

Telephone and address information, check online telephone directories. If you know their full name as well as their city and state, you may locate their address and phone number in one shot.

Telephone, address, and other possible information, check your library’s criss-cross directory (also called a city directory or a household directory). You can access this database at your local library, and in many cases, online as well. What this directory will do for you is give you further information, such as phone numbers, church affiliations, and the listed addresses, phone numbers, and names of area residents.

For birthdates, check online birthday directories. There are a few free sites online with millions of names and registered dates of birth in their registries. You simply type in their full name, approximate age, and click search. If you know the state, that helps narrow down common names into an easier to navigate list.

To locate a social security number, check various public records. If they’ve ever received a speeding ticket, a divorce, or filed bankruptcy you’ll likely be able to locate their social security number by accessing various public records – namely, court records. State laws vary from state to state on what is deemed a “public” record, so do your research on the state in question.

To locate a social security number you could also pay for an online broker/search agent to find the information for you. For a small fee they’ll likely be able to access public records on a more expedited basis.

It’s important to understand that there are privacy laws in place, as well. If you’re attempting to gain certain information, especially as part of a pre-employment screening, you will need to have a signed “Release of Information,” form. With privacy laws, there is some data you’re just not going to be able to retrieve without this. If you’re an employer, simply attach a release of information form to the bottom of your employment application.

Other information that should be on an employment application, whether for a company or for personal employment (such as a home contractor or for childcare) are as follows:

What is their current/most previous position?

What are their last three positions? Try to get the address, phone number, and supervisor names.

Who are three character references? Professional references? With addresses and phone numbers.

Their driver’s license number, type of license, and the issuing state.

What are their last three residential addresses?

Your next step is to determine what exact information you’re hoping to gather in the scope of the background check. A lot of people use the phrase “background check,” as a coverall that could mean many things. Be sure you know what information, specifically, you want to uncover. Possibilities may include:

A criminal history check will vary from state to state on what is allowed as public information. Some states will report any and all criminal charges while others will only report charges the person has been convicted of.

An employment background check is meant to verify everything from past positions of employment to educational degrees received. Basically, it will confirm or negate your applicant’s resume.

A driving record background check is most often needed for anyone applying for any sort of driving position. From truck drivers to bus drivers to limousine drivers, a driving record will show if there are any issues with the applicant’s license as well as if there are any DUI incidents.

A general background check is a way of verifying certain general information about the person in question. Where they’ve lived, where they went to school, what jobs they’ve held, if they’ve been married and/or divorced. Usually, a general background check only will give back information that is on public record in one form or another.

Now it’s time to go through the information you’ve gathered to see what additional facts you can glean. If your goal is to verify that a potential tenant has been a responsible renter in the past, you’ll want to check with previous landlords and property management companies.

Thinking about investing some money in a new start up company? You’ll want to be sure there is no history of fraud, deceit, or previous business deals that have gone bad. Likely, you should also interview any current as well as all past business partners of the person in question.

Putting a new roof on your house, hiring a landscaping company, or even having your trees trimmed require an investigation into prior clients, the business standing of the company, as well as verifying that who you’re hiring has done quality work in the past. You’ll want to be sure there are no complaints filed with any regulating company by past customers.

On a more personal matter, if you’re attempting to ascertain that a possible nanny for your children is a safe and reliable caregiver; you’ll want to contact past employers and search for a criminal history – if they’re going to be driving your kids around, you’ll also want to see what their driving record looks like.

Each of the above examples personify why someone would want to conduct a background search on another person. It’s about safety; protecting your family, your business, your home, and your money. No matter what your reason is, once it’s time to interview those names you’ve found, be ready with a set of questions.

Here are some guidelines that may pertain to your individual situation:

If you’re confirming a person’s education – phone the identified school and ask to speak with the registrar’s office. Some schools will readily give educational credentials over the phone – but for others, you’ll have to supply a signed release.

If you’re verifying past employment – ask to speak with the supervisor the applicant named in the employment application, if they neglected to name a supervisor, ask for Human Resources. Many companies will only verify if an individual has worked for them, and what their dates of employment were. Others, especially if you are able to speak with the supervisor, will answer more direct questions about attitude, job performance, attendance, etc.

If you’re confirming a business is legitimate – phone the appropriate community organizations and companies that regulate the operations of businesses. Ask if there are any complaints or violations filed against the business you are investigating. If there are, gather as much information as you can – what the complaint/violation was, and if the person/company in question responded to the complaint and/or violation, and what their response was.

If you’re trying to gain general information about a person – talk to past neighbors, coworkers, etc., and ask how long they’ve known the person you’re investigating, how well they know them, and any other questions that may deal specifically with your situation.

Another option, if the person you are running a background check on has a unique name, try entering it into one of the myriad of online search sites available. You may find articles they’ve written, organizations they’re a part of, business affiliations they’re associated with, complaints others have made about them, blog entries by them or about them. The information technology on the web may pull up exactly what you need – but be sure to thoroughly investigate any “facts” you do find – to ascertain they are indeed facts.

If at the end of all the information gathering, all the interviewing, all the phoning around; you still feel you are missing facts that you need to have – you may want to consider using one of the investigation companies you can find online. Most of them charge a reasonable fee to run various types of background checks on any individual you want.

Realize, however, that you will still need as much identifying information as you can possibly get a hold of. Also, be aware, that whatever information they are able to find for you will likely come from public records. It is unlikely that they will be able to uncover something that you couldn’t uncover on your own – given enough time and effort. However, they do have large databases at their disposal and are likely to get the job done faster.

Do your research before choosing such a company. Some are better at it than others – use your computer to do your own “check” on the online investigation companies you are considering. Before you spend your money, know who you’re giving it to.

Whatever your reason – whatever your situation; if you decide it is necessary for you to perform a background check on a person, make sure you are educated in how you approach it. Be exact in your goals, spread your net wide, and get the information you need so you, your family, and your business are protected.

Henry Lovett writes informational articles about people search, criminal records, background checks and other similar topics. To learn more about criminal records visit http://www.criminalcheckreviews.com

Tags: background check, criminal background check

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