Background checks have become a necessary part of the modern world. They can help us improve our level of trust toward new people in our lives and enable us to distance ourselves from possible threats. If you need to run a background check on someone, here are some tips to get started.
Ask for consent.
Before you start your search, make sure that your candidate has given consent to have their information checked. This will ensure that there are no problems later on with regard to privacy laws and other legal issues. If you are conducting the background check for employment reasons or other qualifying reasons, you must obtain consent from the subject. If the reason for your search is not for employment or other qualifications, get good legal advice before conducting your search.
Decide which type of background check you need.
There are several different types of background checks available, including employment and criminal history searches, driving records, and education history checks. Some companies offer all four services in one package, while others specialize in certain types of searches.
Do a preliminary search online.
Start by searching for the person’s name in your favorite search engine. You’ll probably find information about them on their LinkedIn profile, Facebook page, or other social media accounts. If you’d like more information about their education and employment history, try searching for them using their full name and the name of their school or employer.
Request public records and court documents.
If you want to conduct your own background check, you can request public records from the county courthouse. The records will show any arrests or convictions for theft, assault, or any other crime that may have occurred in the past. You can also request court documents from the district attorney’s office or other law enforcement agencies. These documents will show whether someone was charged with a crime, what charges they were facing, and whether they were convicted of those charges.
Run credit and financial checks.
You can run a credit report to see if someone has any outstanding debts or judgments against them, as well as find out how long they’ve had credit cards or loans. A person’s financial history can give you insight into whether they’ll be able to meet their obligations as an employee or contractor — and if they’re likely to commit fraud or abuse their position in other ways.
Wanted: The Truth
Active Intel Investigations is here to help you with every aspect of your investigation, from conducting the investigation to preparing evidence to provide it in court.
Get started with your investigation, browse our video library for investigative resources, or schedule a no-obligation consultation with a licensed private investigator to discuss the specifics of your case.
