Do you need to find out more information about a person in your life or the life of a family member? Is something throwing up red flags and you want to confirm that they are safe and trustworthy? Conducting a background check can help you learn important information about various people in your life.
There are many different background check services that you can choose from. To help you decide which service to try, we have reviewed the five top options. After reading through our reviews, you should be able to decide which service is right for your needs.
Best 5: Background Check Services Review
Product Image & Rating (Out Of 10) | Product Name | Contact |
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Using PeopleFinders to run a background check will allow you to search through records of 250 million Americans. PeopleFinders prides themselves on providing a full history of someone's past that can help you feel confident about your relationships and interactions with them. They have access to more than 43 billion public records, which will help ensure that you are presented with a clear picture of the individual you are searching for.
To start the background check process, enter the person's name and where they live. You'll then be able to view information on the person and pay to view the report.
PeopleFinders offers a subscription plan that will allow you to perform multiple background checks each month. This is a great option if you will need to frequently check different people's backgrounds.
The reports generated by PeopleFinders will let you know a person's criminal history, whether they have declared bankruptcy, information about any marriages or divorces, and other important information.
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Cons
Performing a background check with US Search is easy. You will be able to learn lots of information about the person you search for.
To perform a background check on their website, you'll first need to enter the full name of the person you are looking for. Entering the state they live in will help provide you with more accurate search results. After you search for their name and find the person you are looking for, click the continue button to start the background check process.
There are two different options you can choose from. The first option is the Basic Background check.
The Basic Background Check will provide you with identifying information, such as the person's full name, address, phone number, address history, enhanced relatives. It also includes a state criminal search.
The second option you can choose is the Instant Nationwide Criminal Search. This option will provide you with more detailed information relating to any criminal activity, such as details about arrests, offenses, sentencing, and case numbers. At this time, you will be able to receive results for 43 different states.
The Basic Background Check costs less than the Instant Nationwide Criminal Search, but depending on the purpose for your search, you may want to pay for the more comprehensive search.
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As the name suggests, you'll be able to use Instant Checkmate to perform an instant background check on a person. You can use this service to search for a person's criminal record.
Some of the information you'll be able to find may relate to felonies, misdemeanors, and more minor infractions. You'll also be able to see whether the person you search for has been arrested, charted with a crime, or sentenced to jail.
To use this service, simply enter the name and state of the person you are trying to learn more about. The website will perform a search for that personal and you'll be able to open the report to view this information.
In addition to checking for criminal history, Instant Checkmate will also search for social information to give you a more complete picture of the person you are searching for.
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BeenVerified is an easy way to access the information you need. This service has been providing background checks for 10 years and has been used by millions of people. This option cross-checks numerous data sources and millions of data points to help provide you with a comprehensive report.
Using BeenVerified can simplify the process of searching for information on a person. You will be able to find everything you need in one place, rather than searching through multiple sites and search engines.
When you use BeenVerified, you'll be able to search for any criminal records related to an individual. This can also allow you to view things such as driving records. You can also use the public records search feature to find information such as property records, phone numbers, and addresses.
To look up information with this service, search using the name of the person you are looking for and the state they live in. Then you can click on the type of information you are interested in finding (such as criminal records, properties, social media, and more). Once BeenVerified finds the report you are looking for, you'll be able to pay the fee and view the report.
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Using the background check service from Intelius can help you learn important information about a persona. You may want to learn more about a potential hire, someone taking care of a family member, or another individual. Performing a quick background check through Intelius is a quick and easy way to help you learn what you need to know.
Their background check service will provide you with different information, depending on the individual. If they have a criminal record, it should show up on the report. You may also learn other information, such as whether they have had any bankruptcies or liens against them.
Your report may also contain information about marriages and divorces, their birthday, address, and full name. Depending on the person, there may be other information that is displayed with the background check.
Using Intelius to perform a background check is simple. Just visit their website and enter the information you have about the person you are looking for. Then, click search, and the page will display the records they have that match the name you searched for.
If you see the person you are looking for, you can click on "Get Report." From that page, you'll be able to choose whether you want to complete a full background check or a nationwide criminal check. After checking out, you will receive your report once it has been completed.
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Buying Guide
There are many different ways a background check service can be useful. It can help you vet potential hires, learn more information about a date, or make sure that the people interacting with those you love are trustworthy. Performing a background check on these individuals can help you feel more confident regarding your decisions related to them.
Since there are so many different background check services to choose from, it is important to compare the features offered by each company. Before you make a purchase, take some time to decide what you are looking for in the background check you receive and the service you use.
First, pay attention to the information that will be included in the report you receive. You want to be sure to pick a service that will provide you with a comprehensive report that will actually be of use to you.
Next, you will want to choose a company that will provide you with accurate and complete information. Read up on each option to make sure the reports they provide are not frequently missing information or stating wrong information. Finding a service that provides an organized report will also be helpful when you are trying to interpret the information on the report.
If you wish to retain a paper or PDF copy of the report you receive, you will want to choose a company that offers this option. Not all services include the ability to print the reports you receive.
Finally, be sure to pick a service that is reasonably priced and within your budget. If you plan to use the service on a more ongoing basis, then you may want to consider signing up for a monthly plan with one of the providers.
best background check service
PeopleFinders is our top pick for background check services. They will provide you with useful information you can use to make important decisions.
Their website is very user-friendly and will make it easy to search for people, select the report you will want to receive, and pay for your transaction. Once you receive your report, you'll notice that it is pretty comprehensive. The reports created by PeopleFinders may include information about criminal records, bankruptcies, divorces, and more.
If you are looking to gain peace of mind by performing a background check on a potential hire or someone who is working closely with you or a family member, visit Intelius' website. You'll sleep much better knowing that you took every measure necessary to ensure you made the right decision regarding a particular person or persons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Background Check Include?
A background check looks into an individual's past using criteria set by the person requesting the check. Background checks can include finding out information about a person's criminal record, employment history, education, and more.
How Long Does a Background Check Take?
The length of time it will take to complete a background check will vary based on the type of information that is being examined. On average, background checks should take less than four days to complete. However, there could be delays in completing the background check if information is not supplied quickly enough or if there are other things that slow down the process.
How Much Does a Background Check Cost?
The price for a background check will vary based on the service you use and the information you are requesting.
How can you run a background check on someone?
Having a background check completed for someone is relatively simple. While you can learn some basic information about the person by looking at their social media pages or conducting a Google search, a true background history will provide you with more detailed and relevant information that you won't be able to uncover on your own.
There are many online services that can run a background check for you. For a relatively small fee, these companies will look through various records to provide you with a more comprehensive picture of the person you are interested in.
What type of information is displayed in a background check?
There are different types of background checks and the information displayed on one may be different than the information found on another. If you use a paid service, you may have to pay extra for some pieces of information as well.
Here are some items that may be included with a person's background check:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Birthday
- Previous addresses
- Family members
- Criminal records
- Employment history
- Educational history
- Bankruptcy information
- Marriages and divorces
- Driving record
- Information from social media
When should you run a background check on someone?
There are many times you may decide to run a background check on someone. If someone new is going to be playing a large role in your personal or business life, finding out information about them can help put your mind at ease.
Some people who you may want to screen using a background check include employees, coaches, babysitters, nannies, or other people who will be around your kids, and potential love interests.
Can I run a background check on my employees or prospective employees?
Yes, you should be able to run a background check on your employees. However, most states will not allow you to do so without the consent of the employee. You will need to have the employee sign a form authorizing you to conduct the background check, otherwise you may be violating the law.
If you would like to run a background check on an employee, you will need to list the specific information that will be included in the background check you are running (criminal records, credit reports, etc.). Then you will want to have the person sign this paper before beginning your search.
What information do I need to run a background check on someone?
Gathering as much information as possible about a person before requesting a background is important. This will help ensure the company you use is able to find the correct person you want to learn information about.
Before starting the background check process, make sure you have the person's full name and current address. Knowing their previous addresses, maiden name, phone number, or any other identifying information can also be very helpful.
Are background checks anonymous?
Most background check service providers will not notify the person you are looking up. However, if you are running a background check for employment purposes, you are required to notify the person and have them sign a consent form.
What red flags should I look for on a person's background check?
After you've run a background check on a person in your life, you'll want to look over it closely. The information you read can help you decide whether the person is someone you will want to work with, date, or allow around your children. Some red flags to look for include:
- Inconsistencies: If the information shared on the background check is very different from what the person told you, it may be a sign that they are not trustworthy. For example, if they said they received a degree from a certain university and their background check shows they did not attend or graduate from that school, it could be concerning. It would also be concerning if they said they did not have any criminal history, and the background check pulled up a past arrest.
- Employment gaps: When you look at a potential employee's previous employment history, look for lots of large gaps. A few gaps in employment can likely be explained by having some trouble finding a job, but multiple gaps may indicate that the person does not have a good work ethic or was let go from multiple jobs in the past. This may not be a person you would want working for you.
- Time at past jobs: Another thing to look for is how long the person spent working at each of their previous jobs. If you notice that they only stayed for a few months at a time, it may be a sign that they are not reliable or engage in behaviors that cause them to be let go frequently.
- Criminal record: If a background check pulls up a criminal record, it is definitely something you will want to look closely at. Look for information about when they were arrested, what crimes they were charged with, and whether they were convicted. You may want to speak with the person about the results, since some people may have been falsely accused or not convicted of the crime. If they lied to you about having a criminal record and you uncovered one with the background check, it can be a big red flag.
- Refusal to consent to a background check: If a potential employee will not sign the consent form authorizing you to complete the background check, it is another red flag. This may mean there is something on their background check they don't want you to see. If they won't give you permission to run the check, it may mean you want to consider other people.
Can I run a background check on myself?
Yes, you can run a background check on yourself. Doing so may actually be a good idea, because it will let you see the type of information that will show up with others, such as a prospective employer, run a background check for you.
Seeing this information can help you be prepared to address any areas of potential concern with the employer before they discover it on their own. You may also find information on your background check that is inaccurate. If you discover inaccurate information, you can work to have it removed so it doesn't show up when others run the check.
If you want to run a background check on yourself, look for one of the online service providers that offer this service. They make it quick and easy to run a background check and it won't cost you very much money.
