HOW TO CONDUCT A BACKGROUND CHECK?

by Joe Hoover

What is Included in a Complete Background Check

In the not-too-distant past, people were raised and spent their lives in small towns or localized city neighborhoods, often living among the same neighbors for all or most of their lives. Everyone knew his or her neighbors, and that personal intimacy lasted a lifetime. Today's world however, is highly mobile. Few people live in the same locale for very long, and so many of our interpersonal relationships grow out of cyberspace where a person can become anyone they wish to be. In such a transient society, trust is no longer a matter of faith, but often must be verified, especially in matters of the workplace, business relationships and property rental.

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Background investigations are performed for business or personal reasons, and the depth and breadth of information available can often make the difference between success and failure in a variety of relationships. The reality of 21st century interpersonal relationships requires informed decisions to enable the protection of companies, employees, families, property or investments.

Business background checks are most often performed when hiring employees, managing rental property, conducting business with other companies, investing in a business venture or attempting to collect on a business debt. Personal background checks are essential when an individual is going to be given access to one's home or property as a result of performing a service or being hired as an employee.

The unprecedented access to technology enables people to either steal or manufacture identities with great ease. Therefore it is essential to utilize background checks, gleaning as much information as possible to confirm an individual's identity before becoming involved with them. The old expression "it is better to err on the side of caution" has more meaning today than ever in the past.

The steps shown below provide the procedural basis for conducting background checks, whether for business or personal use. However, keep in mind that when conducting a business background check, most often there is a signed application permission form that enables access to certain specific data that otherwise cannot be accessed.

STEP 1 - GATHER INFORMATION - POSITIVE ID

The first goal of any background check is to obtain a positive identification of the subject in question. The important preliminary information needed includes full name, date of birth, social security number and a current or past address.

Date of birth is a very important identifier and necessary to search criminal history. Current and past addresses are also good identifiers, because to conduct a thorough criminal records search, you must ascertain subject's states of residence.

When dealing with female subjects, remember to learn if the individual is married or single. Ask for all last names used, both past and present. This can be an important factor when checking both general and criminal records.

Public records are most often indexed by name alone, or by name and date of birth. Learn all about public records - See all states public records.

Proprietary databases - not available to the public - are often indexed by social security number.

Other useful information needed to begin an investigation include names of relatives, driver's license number and phone numbers. A few pertinent questions to be asked when initially interviewing the subject include, "Where are you from?", "Where did you go to school?", and "When is your birthday?"

Ask for and make a copy of the subject's driver's license, which will accompany the application.

In the interview, the technique called "the erroneous conclusion" might be employed to elicit important information. You might say, "I'll bet you're from California." Your subject might answer, "You're right,"' or, "No, I was born and raised in Utah . . ."

STEP 2- CONFIRM - ADDRESS HISTORY SEARCH

Once having gathered as much information as possible, confirm the information. Confirmation is critical. A three credit bureau Address History Search will reveal past addresses, plus others who are currently living at, or who have lived at, the same address. This might also reveal aliases used, plus "also known as" (aka) information - or variations of names used. If none of the data returned matches the information provided by or about your subject, this should raise the proverbial red flag.

Much information can be gleaned from simple data such as lists of relatives, roommates and associates. Further red flags might be raised if the address search reveals present or past residents of the same age but with different last names - not including the subject's. Likewise, if the same last name appears, but with different first names, further investigation is clearly required.

Information possibly returned from an Address History Report includes:
- Address History w/Phone Numbers
- Age/Date of Birth
- Alias/Maiden Names
- Neighbors
- Relatives/Roommates living at same address
- Dates of Residence

Once you have determined that the subject is who they say they are, the other mandatory parts of a thorough background check are the General and the Criminal Records Search.

STEP 3 - GENERAL RECORDS SEARCHES

Information providers offer a great variety of data; however, it is important to ascertain the accuracy and timeliness of the data being searched.

Search Vital Records, include births, marriages, divorces and deaths - all of which are public record. Vital statistics data are often available online: however these records are often restricted by the state that supplies them to the parties involved (ex-spouses, child, etc.)

Financial Searches often indicate financial standing and responsibility. A Property Search will reveal real estate ownership and a Vehicles Search will return automobiles owned by the subject.

Court documents contain data pertaining to Federal & Civil Judgments, Federal & State Bankruptcies, Tax liens and Evictions can be examined at the county or federal courthouse where the incident was adjudicated, or researched and retrieved by an information provider. Locate all courts.

The Secretary of State maintains corporate, partnership and professional licensing information open for examination and usually available online.

A Driver History search is an important addition to a records search, as it will reflect traffic citations and DUI's and DWI's, both of which can indicate poor driving habits. These records are restricted by some states, requiring a signed release and a permissible purpose for access.

STEP 4 -- CRIMINAL RECORDS SEARCHES

A thorough criminal background check includes searches of Local and County Criminal Records, State Criminal Courts, National Department of Corrections and Sex Offenders databases, and the OFAC Patriot Act Search. Records can be obtained at the various courthouses or online by information providers. Read: How To Search Criminal Records or run a National Criminal Records Search..

Local and County Checks - Results from local or county jurisdiction criminal history searches will include only the crimes committed within those immediate jurisdictions. If checking only the counties where the subject says he or she lived over the past 3-5 years, the search is relying on the individual to be truthful about their past residences. This search may miss offenses committed in other jurisdictions. Therefore, conduct a complete address history (three credit bureau Address History Report) prior to conducting a Criminal Records Search. More on Local Information and County Records.

Statewide Criminal Courts data are obtained through a state agency and include only the crimes committed within that state. Search costs and response times vary widely from state to state. Some state checks include arrests, but in most instances only those arrests leading to convictions are cited. Note: Database Background checks are generally name-based and often only access convictions, but not arrests.

Data for Sale - Information providers and brokers buy their criminal data from the states. Many states have strong privacy laws and some do not sell any criminal data obtained for a personal or business background check. Some states sell a portion of their data, but not the full conviction or arrest files. The data is not uniform between states. You must know the level of accuracy of the data being purchased by understanding what the state in question has provided. More Info on Databases.

AVAILABLE RECORDS

Municipal Criminal
County Criminal
Statewide Criminal Courts (MOST States))
Statewide Criminal Check for Felonies, Misdemeanors & Sex Offenses
State Department of Corrections (47 of 50 states)
National Arrest & Court Warrants
National Department of Corrections
OFAC Patriot Act Search
FBI Most Wanted
FBI Most Wanted Terrorists
Interpol Most Wanted
Sex Offender Records

INFORMATION PROVIDERS

When contracting an Information Provider, determine what data are being accessed. Some background checks are national in scope while others are actually "multi-state." The costs, response times and quality of these checks vary widely from company to company.

Consider having a check done on yourself if you are concerned about incorrect information, or what potential employers might find.

More Background Checks Articles

For more information regarding the various types of background checks available, please read the in-depth articles from the following links: Employee Background Checks, Tenant Screening, Business Background Checks, Asset Searches and Criminal History.

Article provided by: Investigative Professionals LLC, '©2012 Information Providers.

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