| There are a number of companies on the | | | | Just because the report you get says "No |
| Internet offering background checks for a | | | | Records Found" does not necessarily mean the |
| seemingly reasonable fee. I am not going to name | | | | person doesn't have any criminal convictions. The |
| names, recommend or trash anyone. If you | | | | criminal justice system is overburdened and slow. |
| choose to use one of these companies to check | | | | Sometimes it takes months for criminal records |
| out the nanny or the new boyfriend, there are a | | | | to end up in computer databases. The only way |
| few things you should be aware of. | | | | to get around this is to do an actual hand search |
| The first thing to consider is the quality of the | | | | at the appropriate court. |
| information you get back. Timeliness and accuracy | | | | Next we'll look at DMV and credit reports. As a |
| are important here. How fresh is the data (how | | | | private citizen checking out your daughters new |
| often do they update the database) and how | | | | boyfriend, you will probably have to do without |
| accurate is the data? You might be surprised at | | | | this information. In most states, to access DMV |
| how often the information is just wrong! What | | | | records, you will need a "permissible use" and a |
| are their data sources? Some of these companies | | | | signed release from the person you're looking into. |
| get data from a number of public record | | | | Most likely, not going to happen. Credit reports? |
| databases and just regurgitate it back to you. | | | | Long story short, also not going to happen. Period. |
| This is information you could have found (probably | | | | So unless you're a professional (private |
| for free!) if you had the time and inclination. Not | | | | investigator, collection agency, etc) this is |
| every company does this, just be aware some | | | | information you're not ever going to see. |
| do. | | | | Reports from these companies can be useful if |
| To alleviate some of the problems, there are two | | | | you approach them with caution. Start with as |
| important things to keep in mind. First, the more | | | | much information as you can, then take the |
| information you use to initiate the background | | | | information which is most important to you and |
| check, the more accurate it may be. Information | | | | attempt to VERIFY it! These are not companies |
| such as full name, current and previous address, | | | | used by professional investigators. The companies |
| date of birth and SSN. More is better! Second, | | | | they use are generally not available to the public. |
| where possible, verify the information. You cannot | | | | If investigators use them at all, it's as a starting |
| take the report you get back at face value! | | | | point. And yes, professional investigators verify |
| The next thing we want to consider deals with a | | | | their information no matter where it comes from. |
| couple of specific areas. First up, criminal records. | | | | |