What to Look for in a Reputable Criminal Background Check Site

What to Look for in a Reputable Criminal Background Check Site

When looking for a background check site, choose one that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This ensures that information used for employment purposes is accurate and that you can avoid lawsuits. An excellent online background search company will explore all available data to provide a detailed report on an individual. This includes searching social media accounts, contacting courts, and hiring court runners to obtain records.

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Accuracy

The most reliable criminal background check company validates multiple data points to obtain a thorough report. These include criminal records, civil court case information, and sex offender registry searches, as well as driving records to reveal traffic violations, accidents, and DUIs. Education history verification may also be conducted to confirm resume or interview claims. A social media check can reveal undisclosed information by analyzing public profiles. A trusted service will provide additional data points like property records and reverse phone lookups. It will search through local, state, and national databases to deliver the most precise information. This will empower you to make a well-informed decision about the individual or company you are considering hiring. Furthermore, it will adhere to federal laws and industry best practices to ensure the confidentiality of the information being examined. For instance, US Search presents various search options and allows you to initiate the process with the fundamentals for less than $10.

Flexibility

A criminal background check is a critical business tool and a legal requirement in some industries and states. To avoid violating federal and state regulations, your choice of a background check company needs to offer you a suite of services flexible enough to suit your needs and legal compliance requirements. For example, suppose you’re hiring someone to work around children or to manage private information. In that case, your background check must search various records, including misdemeanor and felony convictions, pending charges, and arrest warrants. Your vendor must have the connections to fetch updated records from county courthouses and other sources. In addition, your screening process must comply with ban-the-box and fair hiring laws. An experienced CRA can help you follow these laws while searching thousands of public and law enforcement databases, registries, and other sources to provide comprehensive criminal record reports. This saves you time, money and ensures accurate information.

Reliability

When finding a background check service provider, opting for a company with a proven track record of accuracy and expertise is crucial. The best service providers verify the information by using multiple public records databases, such as court, property, and DMV data. They may also have access to non-public information, like dark web scans and state records. To ensure you get the best service, look for a company that offers a free trial and a money-back guarantee. It’s also essential to pick a company with a broad range of search options and strong privacy policies.

Customer Service

The best background check sites have clear service information and a simple user interface. They also provide human guidance when navigating the different levels of searches. These searches include county, state, and federal criminal records, driving record verification (MVR), and education verification. A good background check company should also have social media searches that can find data, including photos, where a person works and lives, relatives, and friends. Some companies specialize in employment checks for specific industries and can include Form I-9 compliance, drug tests, and occupational health checks as part of a package. They can also do comprehensive workforce screening covering contractors and third-party labor. The FCRA often regulates these types of checks and requires the signed consent of the investigated individual. In addition, they cannot be used to deny employment, insurance, or credit. Such searches are called people search services and usually are not FCRA-compliant.