Personal Background Checks: What You Need to Know (2024)

Use Cases for Personal Background Checks

Whether applying to a new job and wanting to know more about personal background checks or a potential tenant, you may want to learn how to run a background check.

In professional and personal contexts, exploring criminal history, past employment, and other elements of a person’s past can offer peace of mind and deeper understanding. However, if you plan to explore someone’s background, you must understand the legal implications of that decision, among other complicating factors. This post explores how to request a background report smartly and legally.

Can you run a background check on a person?

You can usually run a background check on anyone. If you have a person’s name, you can investigate their credit history, check their criminal record, find details about their driving record, and more. However, an important caveat is that you may not request a background check on a person without their consent.

How to Do Background Checks in a Professional Setting

The most critical aspect when you run a criminal background check depends on the purpose. Perhaps you‘re screening a job applicant you want to hire for your business. Alternatively, you’re a landlord who wants to vet potential tenants before you approve or deny their leasing applications.

In either of these situations, you will use a person’s background check report to decide their future. Numerous laws dictate what you’re permitted to do in this scenario. Crucially, you must obtain the consent of the person you vet before proceeding. Otherwise, you fail to comply with the law and disrespect the legallyprotected rights of a prospective employee or tenant.

Breaches of compliance on this level can lead to legal action. For instance,employers must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)when checking a potential employee’s background. The FCRA has several detailed steps and policies that employers must follow. These requirements concern everything from the consent form to the process an employer should use to notify a candidate about an adverse hiring decision.

Ultimately, you can run a background check for criminal records on anyone professionally. Employers, landlords, and other decision-makers must screen candidates to protect themselves legally. If an employer hires a candidate with a violent history and that person hurts a coworker or customer, the employer can be held liable and sued for negligent hiring. Not conducting a check poses a more considerable legal risk for an employer than running one.However, employers can face legal repercussions if they don’t follow the correct protocol to ensure an FCRA-compliant process.

The FCRA and other background check-related legislation can initially be complex and challenging to understand. The good news is that learning the method is possible, especially with the guidance of a legal professional. Most employers use background checks to screen new hires and never encounter legal issues. These employers are exceedingly careful about following the FCRA to the letter, as failing to comply can be costly. Hiring managers can also learn the rules and guidelines to establish smart policies that protect employers from compliance lapses.

How to Do Background Checks in a Personal Setting

Not all screenings occur in employment or a professional setting. If you wish torun a background check on someone for personal reasons, it’s entirely different from screening a potential tenant or job applicant.

Essentially, anyone has the right to learn more about an acquaintance they know personally. Sometimes, you may want to know more about someone out of curiosity. Other times, your intentions may be more about safety. Either way, with personal relationships, you can use background checks to put your mind at ease about people in your life.

Here are a few potential background checks you may conduct in your personal capacity:

Personal relationships:

Perhaps you met someone online or via a dating app. Now, you naturally want to know more about them. You’re considering a personal relationship with this person, but want to know you can trust them first. You might check your would-be partner's background to verify their identity. While most dating apps screen users, many prefer conducting checks independently to ensure their safety.

Babysitting

You’re looking for a babysitter to care for your children after school or in the evenings. You might run a background check to look for potential red flags. You want peace of mind that your children are in good hands—a background check can provide that.

Curiosity

You recently moved into a new neighborhood and noticed suspicious people at the house next door. You think they might be involved in a criminal operation, but you aren’t sure how to confirm it. Running a background check on your neighbor could be advisable in this situation. Alternatively, a new person moved intoyour building, but you sense a negative vibe from them. Again, you may use background checks to learn more about that person and determine whether your concerns are unfounded.

Self-checks

You’re preparing for a job interview and want to know precisely what an employer will see when they do a criminal record search on you. As a precaution, you can run abackground check on yourselfto ensure your record looks the way you expect it to. Increasingly, job seekers useself-background checksto ensure they don’t encounter anything unexpected during the interview and screening process. These self-checks fall into the “personal background check” category.

The rules around general background checks are less understood and not enforced as strictly as in a professional setting. When an employer requests a screening on you, they know they must obtain your consent to remain FCRA compliant. If you asked the average person whether applicant consent was necessary for an employment screening, they would say yes. Answers could vary more if you enquired about checks for babysitters or potential romantic relationships. Do you need consent if you want to run one of these checks?

The answer is complicated. Criminal history andotherinformation discovered by background checks are on public record. You can sometimes find this data by doing a Google search of a person’s first and last names. If you don’t need permission to Google them or research their social media, do you need consent to order a formal check through a background check service?

You may do so without consent if you want to conduct a name-based check on a love interest or neighbor exclusively for a personal relationship. For instance, if a dating app matches you with someone, you don’t have to notify them or ask their permission before exploring their criminal records. That relationship is strictly personal, meaning compliance with the FCRA or other background check laws is irrelevant.

However, do note that if there is an employer-employee relationship, you need written permission. This point raises a common question: Is a babysitter a personalacquaintance you can vet without formal consent?Or are they a professionalconnection whose background check must be FCRA compliant?

Indeed, hiring a babysitter to watch your kids might be less formal than hiring someone for a full-time job at your company. However, you are still the employer. As such, getting consent before conducting any background check is most advisable.

The same applies to anyone you hire to provide a service for your family—from housekeepers to investment brokers and realtors. While these relationships may blur the boundaries between personal and professional, the law considers them professional. As such, it is always better to be safely FCRA compliant.

FAQs

How do you get a background check as a private citizen?

Most checks we offer at backgroundchecks.com are for employers or other professional entities. However, we also provide a background check servicethrough a partnership with BeenVerifiedthat private citizens can use to see information about neighbors, significant others, friends, or other personal acquaintances.

How long does a law enforcement background check take?

Manycriminal records checksinvolve going directly to a law enforcement source—a county court or a state police repository. These searches typically take several days, though the wait time can vary depending on the law enforcement agency or jurisdiction.

How to do an anonymous background check for criminal records?

A personal background check, such as the BeenVerifiedoption described above, can be done anonymously. If you vet someone professionally, it’s illegal to do so without informing them.

How to Get a Self-Background Check?

At backgroundchecks.com, we offera dedicated serviceto help customers run criminal history searches on themselves.Run a personal background check on yourself now!

How do I perform an employment background check?

These checks require compliance with many laws. In addition to the FCRA and guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers must be aware of all applicable local or state laws. For instance, many jurisdictions now have “ban the box” laws, prohibiting questions about criminal history on job applications.These often delay the background check until later in the hiring process. Ensure you know the relevant ordinances before conducting an employment background check.

What kind of credit history check do employers run?

Credit scores, in addition to abankruptcyor credit check, constitute financial background checks. Typically, employers only utilize these checks for positions where the job responsibilities are expressly finance-related. If you’re seeking a job in that category, you may look into your financial history andunderstand what hiring managers will see.

How far can employers go back on your criminal background?

Most states have laws limiting the criminal background check lookback period to the most recent seven years.

What Shows on a Driving Record?

Some employers will check your driving history as part of their pre-employment verifications. What shows on these checks? Itconsiders a person’s driving record, including tickets and traffic violations, driver’s license points, restrictions, etc.These checks are not standard for all roles – only where operating a vehicle is part of the key responsibilities.

Similarly, most people doing background screening for personal reasons won’t need to see someone’s driving history, but it could be relevant. For instance, driving history becomes relevant when hiring a babysitter expectedto chauffeur childrento school and other activities.

If you’re curious about your own driving record, read our blog posts,How Do I Get a Copy of My Driver Record?andHow to Get a Copy of Your Driving Record (and Why You Should).

How to do an anonymous background check for criminal records?

Can you background check a neighbor or romantic prospectwithout their knowledge? In such personal situations, it is possible and legal to do a background search anonymously and without consent. This check could be as simple as a Google search or as in-depth as a search through our BeenVerified feature. Do note, though, that if you’re background checking a person for a more formal purpose – such as for a job – you are legally required to disclose the background check to them and get their consent to proceed. You cannot do formal checks anonymously.

Does a background check include browsing history?

No. A person’s internet browsing history is personal information and will not feature in any legal or ethical background check.

What shows up on a person’s background check?

What a background check can showwill depend on the type of check. In employment situations, hiring managers will use background checks to learn about a person’s criminal history, past employment, education, civil court records, driving history, credit score, and more. In less formal situations like those discussed on this page, searchers are often more focused on one or two specific categories – such as criminal history or sex offender status.

Do background checks screen social media?

Whilesocial media background checksin an employment context are relatively controversial, that doesn’t extend to more personal matters. For instance, when learning about a new neighbor, a romantic connection, or a potential roommate, the first place most people start is on social media. These days, many have one or more online profiles, whether on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or other networks. Learning about a person via these channels can be a hit-or-miss endeavor, given that some people make their profiles private or unsearchable. Alternatively,that person may not be active online. However, social media is a popular mechanism for investigating a new acquaintance: It’s free, easy, and accessible.

As for more formal background checks, like the services offered at backgroundchecks.com, none of our products incorporate social media searches.

What’s the best personal background check?

The personal background check serviceat backgroundchecks.com is a quick, sophisticated, affordable way of checking your own background or doing a quick search for a new neighbor or boyfriend. Try our personal searches today!

Personal Background Checks: What You Need to Know (2024)

FAQs

What does a personal background include? ›

Background checks are often done as much for the well being of current employees as they are for the benefit of the hiring staff. Personal background checks may include information about criminal records, schooling, employment, and spending habits.

How should I prepare for a background check? ›

How to prepare for background screenings
  1. Clean up social media profiles and check privacy settings.
  2. Keep good records of your academic history and past employment: ...
  3. Get copies of your records and if you see inaccurate information, report it immediately. ...
  4. Be honest. ...
  5. Let your references know they may be contacted.

What is usually checked in a background check? ›

Background checks vary widely and can show an employer a wealth of information about a candidate. Common types of checks include criminal records, civil court records, driving records, drug screening, employment verification, education verification, healthcare sanctions, and international background checks.

What matters most in a background check? ›

Criminal History Matters Most

Unlike other background check components, criminal history is often considered a more direct indicator of a candidate's character and judgment.

What should I say about my personal background? ›

The key to answering it well is to be concise but informative. Keep the answer to under 60 seconds and focus on how your skills and personality traits are related to the position you're interviewing for. Approach it as if you just wrote an autobiography and you have to summarize it in four sentences.

What specifics are included in a person's background? ›

What's included in a background check?
  • Credit history.
  • Social media profiles.
  • Employment history.
  • Work authorization.
  • Education history (high school, university, etc.)
  • Driving record.
  • Medical records (restrictions apply )
Jul 30, 2024

What kind of questions does a background investigator ask? ›

Prepare for Interviews: Be prepared for interviews with background investigators. They may ask about your personal history, employment history, education, and any legal or financial issues. Be Prepared to Explain Gaps: If there are any gaps in your employment or education history, be prepared to explain them.

Are background checks hard to pass? ›

There's a chance you will fail a background check if you have a criminal history. This is particularly true if the offenses on your record are relevant to the job you're applying for (i.e. if you committed a sexual offense and are applying to work with children).

How to beat background checks? ›

Your best bet to pass a background check isn't to lie but to tell the truth. If ban the box policies are enforced where you live, know that this kind of law restricts employers from asking about criminal history on the job application. Instead, it delays the background check until later in the screening process.

Can employers see if you were fired? ›

Even if your previous employer doesn't disclose details of your termination, they may tell the potential employer that you were terminated, which doesn't reflect well on you if you stated that you were laid off.

What background check do most employers use? ›

Criminal record searches are the most common type of background check, but there are many to choose from. Failing to conduct background checks could result in damage to your company brand. The easiest way to conduct background checks is by Using a third-party service or background screening software.

Do background checks show internet history? ›

Does a background check include browsing history? No. A person's internet browsing history is personal information and will not feature in any legal or ethical background check.

Should I be honest on my background check? ›

Number one rule – be honest. Don't lie, don't lie by omission and don't try to skirt around the truth. Here's the deal – if you have something in your past that makes you ineligible to be hired, it'll get found out. So, tell the truth.

What is important in background check? ›

Among other things, a background check can uncover information about an individual, such as employment history, criminal records, credit history and more.

How far do most background checks go? ›

Background checks generally cover varying timeframes, such as seven to 10 years for criminal and federal checks, three to seven years for employment verifications, the highest degree earned for education verifications, three to 7 years for MVR checks, and seven years or longer for credit checks based on the position.

What does a person's background include? ›

Your background is the kind of family you come from and the kind of education you have had. It can also refer to such things as your social and racial origins, your financial status, or the type of work experience that you have.

What are some personal backgrounds? ›

It encompasses all the parts of yourself that make you who you are. For example, your personal background or identity markers could include growing up in a small town, being raised with siblings, speaking multiple languages, or having certain relationships or possessions.

How do I explain my personal background? ›

  1. Use Storytelling and Practice Your Answer.
  2. Follow a Structured Five-Step Approach.
  3. Align Personal Journey with Company's Needs.
  4. Highlight Relevant Strengths and Experience.
  5. Share a Professional Story and Relevant Anecdotes.
  6. Exercise Research-Based Empathy in Your Response.
  7. Provide a Brief Highlight-Summary of Your Experience.
Oct 30, 2023

How do I write my personal background? ›

How to write a personal bio
  1. Introduce yourself. Start your bio with a brief introduction that describes who you are. ...
  2. Keep it concise. The length of your personal bio can vary depending on the purpose and focus. ...
  3. Choose a point of view. ...
  4. Write strategically. ...
  5. Include your contact information. ...
  6. Edit thoroughly.
May 31, 2024

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