How to Search for Background Checks
- 1). Receive personal information from the applicant. The applicant gives a business all pertinent information for employment, loans, or housing. This information includes, but is not limited too, a Social Security number, previous address, credit card accounts, work history, and bank account information.
- 2). Find a person on popular search engines. Many businesses utilize a private investigator before using popular search engines such as Google. A search engine like Google works since it is free and faster than using an investigator. Checks can be performed by searching for a person's name, address, or phone number.
- 3). Perform a credit check. There are dozens of websites that allow people to check a third party's credit. It is important to get a credit score from all three credit bureaus, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, since a person's credit score can vary between the three bureaus. A Social Security number is needed to check someone's credit.
- 4). Contact references. The application for housing, credit, or a job most likely has references. The business needs to contact the references and ask important information. This can include the applicant's job performance, credit history, or the applicant's lifestyle at a previous address.
- 5). Search through criminal databases. Law enforcement websites have people's names, addresses, and pictures. For example, if there is concern over a person's sexual history, the business can research the National Sex Offender database from the US Department of Justice to see if the applicant has a history.
- 6). Consult with a private investigation firm. Personal investigators may be able to a perform thorough background check. A private investigator may sort through information ranging from credit reports to the person's employment history in order to provide a complete overview of the candidate. The cost of hiring a private investigator is dependent on how thorough the background check is. For example, a website called identitypi.com can give a business a complete background check on an applicant for $35, while the website's tenant screening costs $25 to find basic background information.
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