Online background checks are one of the most convenient ways to delve into someone’s history and character. They use public reports and information as their source. Usually, data repositories maintained by state or local governments and private firms automatically generate background checks.
A Wealth Of Information At Your Fingertips
Typically, you’ll get someone’s age, date of birth, aliases, names, and other information about their relatives. In addition, you might find traffic tickets, civil judgments, arrests or convictions, marriage or divorce records, and information about their digital footprint, including social media. In fact, you’d be surprised how much you can find – you can even find where someone lives.
This is because practically all of this data is public by law, and you can find it if you’re willing to take the time. In some counties, people are allowed to search the official web portal. In others, you have to search on-site at the county courthouse or hire someone to do it.
Vital records, divorce records, bankruptcies, traffic violations, lawsuits, and civil issues, in general, are always a matter of public record. Criminal records, warrants, arrest records, and other crime-related information is typically associated with a “background check.”
What Can You Find?
Employment is the most common reason background checks are carried out. Employers or recruiters usually do them when someone applies for a job, but candidates may be subject to screening after they’re approved. You can use several different methods to carry out screening, from a full database search to personal references. The method determines what you will find because datasets and records differ.
Employment Checks: The Details
An employment background screening will typically include ID verification, employment verification, and criminal history. If your job involves driving, it will include driving history and financial history for a job in finance.
HR departments gather a lot of information to make judgments about character and, more importantly, avoid hiring the wrong person.
ID And Address Verification
Pre-employment background checks can reveal whether a Social Security number is valid, to whom it belongs, and if it has been used. This information is found in the databases of the Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, and others. You can confirm an address by means of ID verification. Employers crosscheck the details a job applicant provides to identify inaccuracies.
Criminal Records
Pre-employment screening can protect a company when it reveals job-related convictions. Suppose an employee commits a crime on or related to their job, and a court finds their employer could have found out about their relevant history of wrongdoing. In that case, the employer will face negligent hiring charges.
Criminal background checks can provide information about offences and violations on all levels of government: county, state, and federal. Current pending charges, acquittals or dismissals, felony convictions, and misdemeanour convictions are all subject to reporting.
An employer can ask candidates for additional information depending on the job, such as reference checks or drug screening.
Certificates And Licenses
A potential employer or client can check if you hold the certificate or license you claim to hold. This screening confirms the type and status of the license or certificate, the issue and expiry date, and whether the license is or has been suspended.
Vessel And Aircraft Ownership
Online background checks allow you to learn if someone owns a boat, jet ski, or aircraft. If you can establish ownership, the court will provide information about water vessels because this data is public record, just like motor vehicle information. The Federal Aviation Administration registers aircraft.