How to Get Started in Conducting Your Own Free Background Check

The term background checks has become a byword to several kinds of investigative research. However, not all background checks are done to see if someone has a criminal record.

Sometimes, it is meant to see gather general information about a business (products and services, credit rating, legal status and even checking out  the competiton). Since there are so many kinds of background checks, the person bent on finding about someone’s background relies a lot on understanding the context of the request. Also, an understanding of issues over legality and ethics arise especially when the background check concerns a person or individual.

However, when it comes to financial information, the law allows more leeway while it regulates information about a person. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act lays the guidelines in revealing a person’s records from financial institutions. Access to consumer reports are governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act while the Drivers Privacy Protection Act polices personal information concerning driving records.

Since the regulation of access to government is done by the state government, whether a certain document is readily accessible to the public or not depends on what state you are in. For example, in Maine, voter registration records are public but not in Pennsylvania.

Furthermore, even if the records are available to you, the way you will use the information might be limited. For example, in some states, employers are not allowed to make an arrest record a basis for rejecting an application or firing an employee (unless the arrest is followed by a conviction).

After you have stated the parameters and limits of your research, the next step in carrying out your background check is to secure the personal identification information of the subject, which are name (including middle name), date of birth and Social Security number.

Additional information may be required such as residential and business addresses of the subject especially for criminal background checks and asset searches.

The next step is to determine the sources of the information you will be looking for. Some of it can be found online, while others will take manual searching. Document retrieval services are handy if you are pressed for time. All you need to do is place a call, followed by a request in writing (and send the check, of course). This is to replace what would otherwise require you to wade through courthouse or government agency records.

When going online, you should know that experts estimate that only 35% of public records are accessible online and that the information may only provide simply a name. You would therefore need to confirm the records from the source, which means offline.

Once you have defined search parameters, the personal identification information and the sources for your targeted information, you can now launch your background check.

Going about finding the information requires some savvy on your part. You need to think like your subject to be able to find the information you need. For example, a background check on a business associate may lead you to use his curriculum vitae in order for you to confirming his education and employment history. A check on a manufacturing company will get you pouring over state and federal environmental violations. A possible financier will lead you to check the Securities and Exchange Commission. Are you starting to get the idea? Think like your subject to determine where he may possibly disclose the information you want and in so doing, your search becomes easier.

But as always, be guided as to how and where you can use the information you’ve gathered. That means, part of your background check is to be familiar with the laws and regulations that comes in carrying out a search like the one you intend. Once you have done so, follow them. You carry out a background check to protect yourself, but that protection comes well in advance, even when conducting your search. Good luck!