1. Why Do a Background Check?

Doing a background check is an opportunity for you to verify information. Whether you receive the information from a job candidate, a prospective tenant, someone applying for credit or anyone you feel you need to know more about. A background check can also reveal information that was either mistakenly or intentionally omitted.

Using background checks can help you verify degrees or certifications that were earned and provide specific information about employment history.

If you are an employer or landlord, background checks will help you to reduce your risk of lawsuits and help you to protect your assets.

2. What Types of Background Checks Are Available?

Here is a quick bullet list of some of the types of background checks available:

" Address history
" Social security number trace
" Federal criminal records
" Statewide criminal records
" County criminal records
" Instant criminal history
" Sexual offender registry
" Federal civil records
" County civil records
" Department of motor vehicles driver's history
" License and certificate confirmations
" Education confirmation
" Prior employment confirmation
" Workers compensation records
" Drug testing
" Reference checks
" and many more...

3. How Much Do Background Checks Cost?

Background check costs can vary depending on the number of searches included in the screening requests. Simple checks can cost as little as $20.

By combining several searches into a single background check package, many companies can offer a better price per screening. Some background check companies can offer volume discounts to companies or individuals that order their services frequently.

Also, there is software that can be purchased to do your own background checks on the Internet.

4. How Long Does It Take to Complete a Background Check?

Most employee background checks can be completed in 48 to 72 hours. Most companies can complete address searches and credit reports, instantly.

Statewide and County criminal searches can be completed within 48 hours. Education and employment confirmations are usually done in 48 to 72 hours.

5. How Do I Receive the Background Check Information?

With most companies that do background checks, you can select the option that suits you best. The company can e-mail results directly to you. Results can also be faxed, viewed online or sent by regular mail.

6. What If There Is a Mistake on the Credit History Portion of a Background Check?

The applicant has specific rights outlined in the summary of rights, which must be provided to the subject of the background check. This is specified in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The applicant or the employer or whoever is making the request for the background check, should make an inquiry, and it will be investigated.

7. Should a Nationwide Criminal Background Check Be Requested?

An accurate nationwide criminal history check would be possible, but extremely expensive. It is misleading to advertise a "Nationwide Criminal Search"? because it does not include all states and is done by searching databases, not the court system. Many of the courts do not participate in submitting their records to these databases. The records of these databases are frequently outdated. 3000 courts throughout the country would have to be searched, since there is no central repository available for criminal records to the private sector.

8. Can I Do a Background Check on a Minor?

Juvenile records are not available, but if the subject of the background check was tried as an adult, you may be able to find the records available in the courts.

9. Do I Need a "Release"? Form from the Subject of the Background Check?

A signed release form should be obtained from any subject of a background check. Be sure to keep a copy of a signed release form for your own files. Also, be sure the subject of the background check receives a "Summary of Rights"? (as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act) with their copy of the signed release form.

10. When Is a Driver's History Background Check Required?

If anyone is driving on behalf of your company or organization - even once - they're driving history should be checked on a regular basis.

I hope these frequently asked questions were helpful.
I invite you to visit my website for more information.

The Best Always & Stay Safe,

~ Sue Edwards

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