Background checks, which can often be done in a matter of minutes, have become a standard tool used for employment, renters, dating, in business partnerships, for the safety of children or any other time due diligence is required.
Background checks done by online sites such as Checkpeople.com contain a wealth of information. The best way to find out what a background check shows about you is to order a background check on yourself. Checking your background will give you precise information about what people can easily find about you, and it also allows you to address any errors or potential cases of stolen identity.
Standard Information In A Background Check
Background checks can be extensive and can contain any manner of information depending on the reason the person or entity is doing the check. Employers need your consent to conduct a background check, but citizens can use online services to conduct background checks that contain information available in public records. Because these records are public, your consent is not needed. These types of background checks can include:
- Criminal history
- Age
- Current and past addresses
- Phone numbers associated with your name
- Civil records including lawsuits
- Restraining orders
- Marriage and divorce records
- Bankruptcies
- Property Liens
- Social media information
- A list of assets available from public records
- A list of potential aliases used
- Birth records
- List of relatives and other close associates
- Educational background
- Business and professional licenses
- Businesses owned
- Sex offender registry
- Any additional information available in public databases
- Dark web information is information not accessed by traditional search engines and generally protected by encryption. Some background check sites, such as Check People, have expertly created algorithms that can scan more than just the indexed surface web for information. Some people attempt to hide forum posts, secret social media profiles, and shady business dealings on the dark web. These can often be uncovered by doing a background check that includes a scan of the dark web.
Other information, such as your credit score, or financial history, is protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. To conduct a background search that includes more than what is contained in public records, you have to sign a consent form. Your driving record, military service, employment history, and more are often included in an employment background check. Employers also commonly do a social security verification check. However, the potential employer must have your signed consent to conduct these background checks.
Employers can also access records related to workers’ compensation claims, drug test records, and character references. Each state has laws that regulate what information can be accessed and by whom. In general, anything that is not a matter of public record requires your consent. However, most employers will simply have you sign a consent for a background check that often does not specify exactly what records will be checked.
Your car and the home insurer will do a background check. They will be particularly interested in your driving record but often do a financial background check as well. You are required to sign a waiver to give access to your medical information when applying for health and life insurance.
Most people are unaware of the vast quantity of information about them that is contained in public records. It could be anything from a criminal charge that you thought was never made public or an embarrassing picture someone else posted on social media.
Once you know what information is available, there are steps you can take to have it removed if it is erroneous or violates the terms of service of the social media platform. If the records are legitimate, though, there are usually few options in having them removed from the public record. Knowledge is power, and knowing the records are there helps you prepare an explanation if needed. Though you can do public records searches yourself, it is much faster and more efficient to pay a small fee to have a complete report put together in minutes by a background check service such as People Check.
Given how easy it is to access personal information about someone, it makes sense to check your background to be prepared for what others can easily find out about you. You might think you have nothing to hide but then be surprised at information from public records you were not even aware existed.
