Trusted Personal & Employment Background Checks in 2024
Getting to know a person’s true identity is crucial in many aspects, both personal and professional. That’s where background checks come in.
To present you with all the choices you might need, our list of the best background check sites covers both those for personal use, as well as those that offer employment screening.
This article will cover:
- Reviews of services
- Buyer’s guide
- Advantages of using a background check
- FAQ
Last Updated: February 3, 2023
1. TruthFinder
Truthfinder is a simple and thorough background check solution. You can begin your search with various parameters, and using even deep web scans, Truthfinder will provide you with a person’s criminal reports, dating profiles, properties, and even their family tree. Full Review
- Reverse address search
- Family tree graphic in the report
- Reverse phone number search
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Truthfinder is a simple and thorough background check solution. You can begin your search with various parameters, and using even deep web scans, Truthfinder will provide you with a person’s criminal reports, dating profiles, properties, and even their family tree. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★☆☆ 3/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
2. Instant Checkmate
Instant Checkmate is cheap and detailed. Over 30 data points including criminal activity, friends and relatives, and assets are neatly featured in a single, straightforward document. The entire process takes very few steps, and Premium reports come on a per-report basis. Full Review
- Cheap 5-day trial period
- In-depth background checks
- Reverse phone number search
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Instant Checkmate is cheap and detailed. Over 30 data points including criminal activity, friends and relatives, and assets are neatly featured in a single, straightforward document. The entire process takes very few steps, and Premium reports come on a per-report basis. Full Review
★★★☆☆ 3/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
3. Intelius
Intelius is an affordable service providing daily updated records. Use smart filters to narrow down the search results and find out the person's detailed criminal history, online activity, possible relatives, and more. All of that is covered with a money-back guarantee. Full Review
- Daily updated public records
- Filters to narrow down search results
- Reverse phone and address searches
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Intelius is an affordable service providing daily updated records. Use smart filters to narrow down the search results and find out the person's detailed criminal history, online activity, possible relatives, and more. All of that is covered with a money-back guarantee. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★☆☆ 3/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
4. Spokeo
Spokeo’s minimalistic interface is super user-friendly and provides fast search. Find out someone’s whereabouts, wealth data, criminal records, family information, and use filters for better accuracy. Spokeo offers flexible enterprise pricing, and will even update previous search requests. Full Review
- Enterprise search packages
- Filter and sort search results for accuracy
- Get updates on previously requested reports
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Spokeo’s minimalistic interface is super user-friendly and provides fast search. Find out someone’s whereabouts, wealth data, criminal records, family information, and use filters for better accuracy. Spokeo offers flexible enterprise pricing, and will even update previous search requests. Full Review
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★☆☆ 3/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
5. US Search
Choose between many search methods to start your affordable search. US Search updates its records daily, provides fast results, and ensures the reports contain all publicly available information such as properties, criminal records, social media accounts, and even aliases and maiden names. Full Review
- Satisfaction guarantee
- Search results updated daily
- Social media username search
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Choose between many search methods to start your affordable search. US Search updates its records daily, provides fast results, and ensures the reports contain all publicly available information such as properties, criminal records, social media accounts, and even aliases and maiden names. Full Review
★★★☆☆ 3/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
6. Inteligator
With access to data on 95% of the US adult population and over 2 billion records, InteliGator is a good choice for extensive background checks that is easily accessible online and at anyone’s disposal. Full Review
- Inexpensive 4-day trial
- Reverse phone number search
- Nationwide searches
Show More
With access to data on 95% of the US adult population and over 2 billion records, InteliGator is a good choice for extensive background checks that is easily accessible online and at anyone’s disposal. Full Review
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★☆☆ 3/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
7. Employers Choice Screening
Employers Choice Screening is a background check for business owners that offers a wide array of background investigation services with very fast turnaround times. Employers can choose from a fixed menu of services, but also have the option of customizing bundles. Full Review
- International research
- Fast turnaround time
- Wide array of services offered
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Employers Choice Screening is a background check for business owners that offers a wide array of background investigation services with very fast turnaround times. Employers can choose from a fixed menu of services, but also have the option of customizing bundles. Full Review
N/A
5/5
3/5
5/5
8. BackgroundChecks.com
BackgroundChecks.com offers background investigation and identity verification services for both businesses and individuals. They have an extensive network that is regularly updated and can screen everything from simple checks like professional accreditation records to extensive security background like terrorism involvement searches. Full Review
- Daily update of the database
- Extensive network of resources
- Can give results within minutes
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BackgroundChecks.com offers background investigation and identity verification services for both businesses and individuals. They have an extensive network that is regularly updated and can screen everything from simple checks like professional accreditation records to extensive security background like terrorism involvement searches. Full Review
3/5
3/5
3/5
5/5
9. TransUnion ShareAble
ShareAble caters mainly to small businesses and gives them services that are commonly offered to larger organizations. They run background verification checks on a nationwide scale and employers will only pay for every use, saving money on subscription fees. Full Review
- No setup fees
- Accurate results
- No subscription fees
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ShareAble caters mainly to small businesses and gives them services that are commonly offered to larger organizations. They run background verification checks on a nationwide scale and employers will only pay for every use, saving money on subscription fees. Full Review
5/5
4/5
5/5
4/5
10. RecruitScreen.com
Recruit Screen does FCRA compliant background checks for companies using personalized packages. Results generated by searches are summarized by in-house consultants which are submitted to clients as reports, making further analysis easier and more convenient. Full Review
- County to national level checks
- Customized packages
- Personalized approach
Show More
Recruit Screen does FCRA compliant background checks for companies using personalized packages. Results generated by searches are summarized by in-house consultants which are submitted to clients as reports, making further analysis easier and more convenient. Full Review
N/A
4/5
4/5
3/5
11. GoodHire
Employers will love GoodHire’s customizable reports and the option to include drug screening and identity verification. Its useful business-focused features and a modern-looking interface are only topped by the claimed 99.9% accuracy. Full Review
- Modern and robust platform
- HR integration for compliance
- Resume, education, previous employment history reports
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Employers will love GoodHire’s customizable reports and the option to include drug screening and identity verification. Its useful business-focused features and a modern-looking interface are only topped by the claimed 99.9% accuracy. Full Review
★★★☆☆ 3/5
★★★★★ 5/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★★☆ 4/5
★★★☆☆ 3/5
12. HireRight
HireRight is a provider of some of the most accurate background checks for employers with global operations spanning different continents. They have an easy-to-use website for an intuitively smooth user experience, as well as a system that enhances the accuracy of each search result. Full Review
- Intuitive platform
- Accurate results
- Global operations
Show More
HireRight is a provider of some of the most accurate background checks for employers with global operations spanning different continents. They have an easy-to-use website for an intuitively smooth user experience, as well as a system that enhances the accuracy of each search result. Full Review
N/A
4/5
4/5
2/5
Our Methodology
To come up with our list of recommended companies to sign up with, we created a comprehensive review for each one of the providers of background checks, comparing the following key factors:
Report turnaround time estimates
These web-based service providers can deliver results as quickly as a few minutes to a couple of days, depending on the extent of the search.
Packages & customizations
We’ve considered the companies that offer fixed packages as well as customized ones.
Online customer reviews
We’ve taken into account reviews from actual users and employers who have used services from the background check agencies on this list.
Publication reviews
Aside from reviews from users, we’ve also noted those from professional publications and industry experts.
Pricing
We’ll let you know how much these personal and employee background screening companies charge for their services so you can get a side-by-side comparison of each.
Additionally, for the companies based on employee checks and meant to help you with the hiring process, our methodology included:
FCRA Compliance
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) makes sure that background investigations remain lawful in accordance with federal laws. Only services that abide by the FCRA will be included in this list.
Detailed Reviews
- Dark web scans
- Family tree graphic in the report
- Well-organized reports with handy timeline layout
- Very long search process
- No trial period or a free option
True to its name, TruthFinder is all about helping people find out the truth about an individual, whether it’s yourself, a long-lost love or family member, a military pal, a buyer or seller from a pawn website, a new roommate, or anyone you might suspect of a questionable past or not being 100% honest with you. It does so by scanning millions of publicly available records to generate a complete report on the person you want to find.
TruthFinder has been in the background check industry since 2003, making it one of the oldest services still around. It is also among the few BBB accredited companies within the background research industry with an outstanding rating of A+.
In addition to standard background checks, you can also do dark web scans and reverse phone number searches. The former uses an email address or other personal/contact details as a search parameter and determines whether any information related to the person is being sold or publicly exposed on the deep web. A typical background search only requires a name, surname, city, state, and, possibly, age and middle name.
TruthFinder’s in-depth background reports include all of the following information, and more:
- Birth and death records
- Possible relatives
- Possible associates, roommates, friends, or exes
- Location history
- Contact information
- Criminal arrest and traffic records
- Education
- Social media profiles
- Dating profiles
- Assets, including properties and vehicles
TruthFinder scours a huge range of sources, such as county, state, federal, and court records. The deep web scans and social media data searches put the TruthFinder service in line with the top background check sites for dating.
Truthfinder offers three pricing plans. If you opt for a 1-month membership, you’re getting unlimited background checks and reverse phone searches for $27.78/month. Two months of membership will get you the same thing but will cost you $23.02/month, while unlimited reverse phone searches alone will cost you $4.99 on a recurring subscription. Downloading a PDF report will costs an additional $2.
Read Detailed TruthFinder Reviews of Services, Pricing, Features & More
Disclaimer: TruthFinder is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act guidelines. You may not use the service or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.
- Cheap 5-day trial period
- In-depth background checks
- Comprehensive pricing model
- Detailed reports with over 30 data points
- Pricing for extras can be overwhelming
Instant Checkmate is a sister company to TruthFinder. Since TruthFinder is one of the most popular and well-established brands in the industry, you know Instant Checkmate is trustworthy. Furthermore, Instant Checkmate has been a BBB accredited company since 2014, with an outstanding rating of A+.
Like its counterpart, Instant Checkmate generates incredibly detailed reports that include all the publicly available information. It packs all the data it finds in a single document to save you the time. Despite the wealth of information, Instant Checkmate’s documents are well-organized and easy to follow.
Instant Checkmate is a relatively straightforward people search tool. You can search using two different sets of parameters: name, surname, and state or using a phone number. The search process requires fewer steps than many other tools and generally creates the report in less time.
Like most background sites offering criminal check, the public records search will allow you to find out:
- whether someone you have dealings with has a history of criminal activity
- is a known sex-offender
- who they are affiliated with
- where they have worked
- who are their friends and relatives
- certain information regarding their assets
Meanwhile, a reverse phone search will help you track down harassing or unknown phone numbers.
You can request an unlimited number of standard reports with an Instant Checkmate subscription. Premium reports with even more information can be purchased on a per-report basis. Instant Checkmate’s phone subscription starts at only $4.99/month, and it’s the only one allowing a reverse phone lookup. A quarterly subscription will cost you $27.82/month, and a monthly one $34.78/month.
Read Detailed Instant Checkmate Reviews of Services, Pricing, Features & More
Disclaimer: Instant Checkmate is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act guidelines. You may not use the service or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.
- Money-back guarantee
- Filters to narrow down search results
- Relatively generous trial terms
- More affordable than most competitors
- Daily updated public records
- Slow, frustrating search process
- Support only 5 days a week
Having launched in 2002, Intelius has a long and well-established reputation for providing public record search services. They are a BBB accredited company with an excellent A rating. Intelius falls under PeopleConnect, which is a technology provider that develops products involved in learning about or connecting people.
The website is fairly straightforward and cuts straight to the point – performing people searches using public records. Although Intelius provides a number of different search options, they actually only provide one type of report – a full background check. The upside of having only one option is that you get unlimited reports with all the possible information on an individual behind a phone number or address for a single monthly fee.
Using Intelius, you can find out about out-of-contact relatives, military pals, potential dates, online buyers/sellers, and more. The reports generated are exhaustive and contain all the public information you might find useful, such as:
- Personal details
- Contact information
- Criminal, arrest, and sex-offender records
- Photos and videos
- Current and past addresses
- Online activity and social media profiles
- Possible associates and relatives, and more
You can choose between unlimited people searches ($3.95), unlimited reports ($29.95/month or $19.95 for two months) and unlimited background reports ($39.95/month).
Like most background check options, Intelius is not regulated by the FCRA and can’t be used, among other things, to screen individuals for employment, tenant, or credit checks. Intelius keeps things simple and transparent with straightforward packages for either phone or background searches, or both.
Read Detailed Intelius Reviews of Services, Pricing, Features & More
Disclaimer: Intelius is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act guidelines. You may not use the service or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.
- Updates on previously requested reports
- Enterprise search packages
- Blazingly fast search
- Generous trial period
- No option to purchase a single report beyond the trial
- No 24/7 customer support
The first thing you’ll notice about Spokeo is the sleek and minimalistic interface that’s a breath of fresh air compared to the cluttered and overwhelming look of most of its competitors’ websites. Similarly, its search function is a bit more modern with handy filtering and sorting tools that allow you to zone in more accurately on the person you want to find.
In their own words, Spokeo is a “people intelligence service that helps you search, connect, and know who you are dealing with.” Individuals may want to use Spokeo to find out about a future date, neighbor, online buyer or seller, etc. As such, Spokeo allows you to search for people using the following accessible parameters:
- Name
- Phone
- Address
Each comprehensive report also comes with lots of useful information that’s in the public records, such as:
- Contact information
- Personal details
- Location history
- Wealth data
- Family and associates
- Criminal records
- Social media accounts, and more
You can rest assured that your information won’t get outdated as you will be notified as soon as relevant public records are added or updated on any of the reports you have requested for the lifetime of your account.
Spokeo is one of the most trusted background check options offering a generous free trial to its new customers, too – try it out for seven days for only $0.95. Pricing as a whole couldn’t be simpler with a monthly subscription and three additional plans to choose from. One month will cost you $23.76 and get you 100 reports. A three-month membership will do the same for $13.95/month. Business plans range from $35.95/month to $119.95/month.
Spokeo is not only your everyday background checker but also a DaaS with enterprise search packages for companies. These packages come with advanced features, like unlimited PDFs, dedicated support, team dashboards, and flexible pricing. This information can be used for lead generation, customer verification, and other functions.
Read Detailed Spokeo Reviews of Services, Pricing, Features & More
Disclaimer: Spokeo is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act guidelines. You may not use the service or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.
- Fast search completion
- Social media username search
- Extremely affordable unlimited report pricing
- Search results updated daily
- Trial option is actually a hidden discount
- Support available only 5 days a week
US Search doesn’t use any unneeded fluff when it comes to its people search tool. The website may not be the most modern or attractive, but don’t let that fool you. They shine when it counts. For one, they provide a wide variety of search methods, that include relatively rare ones, such as social media username and property record search functions.
While all searches turn up the same report, this isn’t a weakness. In fact, this means every report you generate with US Search will contain every ounce of publicly available information on the individual concerned.
To top it off, you get an unlimited number of any type of searches with a single low-cost subscription. US Search reports include all the information you can expect from a service designated for performing background checks, such as:
- Current address and history
- Personal information and contact details
- Aliases and maiden names
- Associates and relatives
- Criminal records, including lawsuits and misdemeanors
- Properties and home value
- Social network accounts
Like most of its competitors, US Search is not a consumer reporting company as stipulated by the FCRA and cannot be used for employee, credit, or tenant screening.
With a one-time search costing only $2.45, US Search is among the most affordable services for basic, one-off use. To get a 1-state criminal records search, you’ll have to pay $15. Unlimited basic search is $20/month, and unlimited OmniSearch $40.
Read Detailed US Search Reviews of Services, Pricing, Features & More
Disclaimer: US Search is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act guidelines. You may not use the service or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.
- Based on background check software
- Various searches available
- Free basic search
- Extensive database
- Login issues
- Not the most accurate option available
- Shaky customer support
As background checks are becoming the norm, InteliGator and the variety of checks it offers is becoming increasingly popular. Its background check software provides a whole range of public record information – names, addresses, marriages, divorces, bankruptcies, criminal records, etc.
In order to register on the InteliGator website, you must be at least 18 years old. Once you log in, you gain access to its extensive, nationwide database, where you can perform unlimited searches. Once you’re in the database, you can search for whatever it is you want to know – pull court records, research sex offenders, and look at prison records. In addition to this, you can view birth and death certificates, property records, and find out the financial state of the person you’re researching.
One of the most helpful features offered by InteliGator is Assisted Search. In case you can’t find any information on the person you’re researching, you can send a message to the support team, and they will assist you in the search process. As an InteliGator user, you can also request to have your information made unavailable in their searches or request that any incorrect information about yourself is changed or erased.
Although InteliGator is not BBB accredited, it has an 8.8/10 on the rating platform Best Review Guide, indicating that the majority of its users were satisfied with the services offered by this background check site.
Besides the basic background information, InteliGator provides a more in-depth look into some further background features:
- Criminal and arrest records
- Marriage and divorce papers
- Address histories
- Contact information
- Reverse phone number search
- Reverse email search
- Neighborhood search
If InteliGator is one of the choices you’re considering for a background check, you should keep in mind that all the basic searches are free, but if you want to conduct a more extensive search, the Premium subscription costs $19.95/month. When you opt for the Premium option, you get access not only to public records but to information from private data sources as well. In case you’re having doubts about the subscription, you can begin with the 4-day trial for only $1 per day.
Employers Choice Screening
Reliable Background Screening Service With International Screening
Visit Website- Fast turnaround time
- Wide array of services offered
- International research
- No upfront costs
- Quotes have to be requested
- Virtually non-existent customer reviews
Employers Choice Screening is a reputable company that offers its services to businesses of all sizes. Among their offerings for employers include employment screening, I-9 verifications, live scan fingerprinting, and drug screening. These services are proven to be essential in making sure that applicants are verified and any concerns about their identity can be proactively dealt with.
Employers Choice Screening can run a wide array of checks that will verify important applicant information that is crucial not only to decide whether they fit for a position but also for security as well. The record search can include credit history, civil history, driving records, military verifications, Social Security traces, education verification, etc. Security-related checks that may also be performed include terrorist searches, incarceration records, and criminal background checks for employers.
The record search covers national and international research across more than 200 countries using an extensive selection of information resources. Checks are done quickly with a turnaround time of 1 to 3 days.
There are four package options. Three of the options have a fixed menu of verification services that employers can choose from based on their needs. In case none of these options have the perfect mix of services you require, the fourth option lets you customize your own bundle of inclusions and exclusions.
Employers Choice Screening does not publish any rates on their website. All costs are given via private quotations.
- Can give results within minutes
- Daily update of the database
- Extensive network of resources
- Expensive
- Base option is very limited
BackgroundChecks.com offers nearly every type of check, from simple health screenings, motor vehicle records, and education verification, to more serious security investigations such as criminal histories and terrorist searches.
The company is used nationwide for obtaining employee background reports and covers searches in more than 200 countries. BackgroundChecks.com offers its services not only to employers who want to screen potential applicants but to individuals who wish to have a quick verification on themselves for whatever purpose.
Aside from pre-employment screening service packages, they also have post-employment checks, drug and health screenings, audits and monitoring, and even immigration verification. Searches are done through their extensive network consisting of millions of reports. These reports are updated daily, promising integrity and timely accuracy. Depending on the depth and scope of the record search being run, results can be delivered within minutes to a few days.
BackgroundChecks.com offers three options for criminal record screenings. The lowest in the tier costs $29.95 which gives you results within minutes but does not have a county-level search. The next tier costs $49.95. This has 1 county search and delivers results within 1 to 3 days. The highest tier costs $64.95 and can run a background check on multiple counties. It also takes about 1 to 3 days for results to be delivered.
- Customized packages
- Personalized approach
- County to national level checks
- No international searches
- No published rates
RecruitScreen is a great option for small businesses and large enterprises. They offer pre-employment investigations for employers looking to hire new recruits which is an essential step in any selection process. Employers can verify the identity of any applicant and flag those with a criminal history. RecruitScreen’s searches are highly comprehensive on all 50 states across federal, national, and county levels.
Aside from criminal history, RecruitScreen also does drug screening, driving record checking, and credit history verifications. All searches and investigations comply with FCRA standards so you know that your background checks are done lawfully.
An edge of RecruitScreen compared to other popular background check vendors is that results are summarized by actual human consultants so you are not just getting raw output from a machine search. What you will get are digested reports prepared by in-house consultants which will help you analyze processed data a lot more efficiently.
While some of the biggest bg check companies offer services that are completely online, RecruitScreen capitalizes on a more personal approach. Clients will have to connect with a RecruitScreen consultant who will create a package that is most suitable for your business. This is in contrast to other companies’ listed set-menu-style offerings.
While this definitely has advantages, this could also be a disadvantage for those who just want instant verification results without having to go through extra steps that involve human interaction. Given the nature of their services, RecruitScreen’s rates for employment checks are not published. All costs will be subject to custom packages created by their consultants.
- Ease of use
- One day company verification
- Big range of add-ons
- Expensive
- Some reports can take weeks
For any type of organization, whether you’re a business or a non-profit, GoodHire offers useful services for acquiring personnel. They provide criminal background checks for employers using an extensive network of databases linked to courts and other essential authorities that maintain criminal records.
Aside from criminal offenses, GoodHire can run other important screenings any employer will want to check on such as an applicant’s driving record and education record. They can also do a record search for credit backgrounds for those looking to hire for a financially sensitive position. Like all FCRA compliant bg check companies, all checks comply with federal laws.
What makes GoodHire stand out from the rest is its ease of use and convenience. As a technology company, GoodHire relies heavily on software. Their online portal is where all transactions and activities are conducted and it is optimized to be as user-friendly as possible making them one of the most accurate background check sites on the market. All record search activities are done simply and easily, although consumer reports note that some results might take weeks.
Verifying your company takes just about one day, after which, you can get started by choosing one of GoodHire‘s plans. Once you’ve paid the $49.99 setup fee, you can choose from among the three packages which cost $29.99 for the Basic Plan, $54.99 for the Standard Plan, and $79.99 for the Premium Plan. Each higher-priced web-based service plan has more inclusions which you can top up with extra add-ons.
- Global operations
- Intuitive platform
- Accurate results
- Slow turnaround times
- No upfront pricing schemes
One of the leading companies providing background checks for employers, HireRight provides a pre-employment screening service for various organizations. The company has a wide network of resources that are used to verify a person’s identity and other important information that may be crucial to employment.
HireRight is FCRA compliant, and all searches are backed by highly credible data and quality control. Criminal records are sourced on national, federal, and county levels. Their criminal background check for employers carefully takes into account every detail in order to avoid mixing up identities which casually happens with other background reports. Aside from criminal records, HireRight does education record searches and can verify professional accreditation records as well.
HireRight’s services span across the globe. They operate in different countries outside North America which include the UK, UAE, Estonia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia, to mention just a few. Such a network allows the company to screen internationally which draws in multinational conglomerates who use their web-based service.
HireRight’s interface is easy and intuitive both for web and mobile. They promise fast results, although several user accounts reported slower turnaround times than expected. HireRight does not publish prices on their website as quotes vary according to each client’s specific requirements.
Best Background Check Sites – Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the right company to do a background research for you or your business can be tricky, but we’re here to help.
How to Choose the Right Companies in Terms of Background Checks
Since each company has its own perks, choosing only one background check site can be a little more complicated than expected.
Knowing what to look for in agencies offering background checks will help individuals and employers narrow down their choices. Here’s what you need to pay attention to:
Turnaround time
In business, speed is synonymous with productivity. Getting results fast is key to hiring the right people quickly. A slow result may hamper hiring, as an applicant may choose to move on to another company if you wait for background checks for too long before finalizing a contract. If you choose to hire prior to identity verification to save time, an undisclosed criminal history might be a serious concern later on. And when it comes to getting these services for personal use, well, who’s got the patience to wait around, right?
Trustworthiness
Some background check sites use shock-value tactics to entice you to purchase reports as well as unclear or misleading pricing. We also checked for BBB accreditation and ratings to identify only the safest background check sites.
Available checks and screening services
You have to first know the type of screenings you or your company require. Make sure you know the company you’re going for is offering what you need, or else you may end up wasting your money. Common screenings typically needed by employers are for criminal history and professional verification records. Most popular background check websites have these options. If you require other records such as credit reports or drug health screening checks, make sure the service provider you’re looking at has these features as well.
Accuracy
Perhaps one of the most important criteria is making sure that the results are trustworthy. There are certain instances when applicants get flagged for mixed identities, and this does a disservice to both your company and your prospective hire. Choose employer services that can dig criminal information and have a good track record for generating accurate reports.
User experience
This includes the interface and customer service experience. Some services capitalize mostly on their web platform through a comprehensive and easy-to-use portal. Meanwhile, some employee background screening companies deliver better human interaction between clients and service providers.
Pricing
It’s very important to get the record search services you need within the allotted budget. Some service providers offer fixed packages at a set price. If you’re paying extra for the services you don’t need, consider going for a service provider with custom packages and compare the prices side by side.
When looking for the best pre-employment screening service provider, here are some additional factors to consider:
FCRA compliance
The Fair Credit Reporting Act not only promotes accuracy but also fairness and integrity when doing background checks. All companies within the employee background check industry must comply with FCRA to be able to conduct their business legally. When looking for a service that performs background research, this is the most essential criterion. Compliance with FCRA also governs what background checks can and cannot be used for.
Geographic reach
If your business is located in the US and you’re hiring within the country, you can go for the most trusted companies that operate solely within the US. But for multinational companies that operate and hire from many different countries, choosing a background research provider with a global reach is the best option.
What Is a Background Employee Check?
A background check for employers is a way for companies to verify all the information on an applicant’s resume. It is a necessary human resource tool that helps employers hire the right person for the right job.
Background checks are used both in the pre-employment and post-employment phases. The most common use for background checks is to check for criminal offenses. Most employers prefer to hire employees with clean records and having a history of incarceration may be a red flag. But depending on the job and the employer’s core values, some applicants with a criminal background may still be able to get hired.
Aside from criminal reports and other serious concerns, background check agencies also verify professional accreditation records and education record information. This ensures that all the licenses and competencies mentioned by the applicant are actually valid. This means ultimately that he or she will be a good fit for the job based on the skills required.
FCRA compliant bg check companies can also check credit ratings, which is necessary especially if the position applied for requires handling large sums of money. Other information that can be obtained through background checks includes drug tests, motor vehicle records, previous employment, civil status, and more.
Types of Background Checks
Here are the different types of background checks conducted by various background check websites.
SSN Trace and Identity Verification
- An SSN Trace is the fundamental step in identity verification as Social Security numbers provide basic essential information such as names and aliases, addresses, and birthdays. Social Security traces may also reveal whether an applicant has concealed something about his or her identity.
- Details associated with Social Security numbers are sourced from credit header information from credit bureaus, records of voter registrations, records from US Postal Service transactions, and other relevant authorities.
- Depending on the type of information being traced, Social Security numbers can be used to run a record search of up to 10 years’ worth of information.
National, Federal, State, and County Criminal Search
- These refer to the scope of jurisdiction of the background search which reputable background search companies look into.
- A National Criminal Database Check means search inquiries are sourced from about 900 million records based on 1,800 databases.
- A Federal Criminal Database Check means queries for background reports on criminal records are done within the jurisdiction of the federal government. It covers all 94 federal jurisdictions and uses the PACER criminal record system.
- A State Criminal Check is a query on criminal databases on a statewide level.
- A County Criminal Check is the most thorough identity verification and criminal check as queries are done on a county level. Criminal records are checked in county courthouses which are spread across the US. The ideal background checker for employers should be able to pull records from all of these levels.
Sex Offender Registry
- The US has a National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) which contains a list of all those who have been convicted as sex offenders.
- All states require those convicted of sex crimes to register in the NSOPW.
- Companies that do background checks use NSOPW’s database to screen if an applicant for a particular job has been convicted of any sex crimes.
Employment Verification
- Resumes should contain detailed information about an applicant’s employment history.
- Services that provide background checks can verify the accuracy of information regarding declared job experiences in each applicant’s resume.
- This is done by contacting the previous employers and verifying not only whether the applicant in question worked in the said company, but may also inquire about responsibilities held, achievements, as well as good standing of the applicant.
Professional Certifications and Licenses Verifications
- Professional accreditation records and licenses relevant to the position applying for are another important part of a resume. These may include government-regulated licenses such as engineering or medical licenses, or special training such as Six Sigma or ISO certifications.
- Services that perform background checks do a verification of this information by contacting authorities that issue these licenses and certificates.
Advantages of Using a Background Check Before Hiring
With all the costs and procedures involved, many employers still find it beneficial to do background checks for new hires. In fact, employment checks have become a normal and essential part of the hiring process of any company no matter its size or industry.
Here are the benefits and advantages of doing background checks for business owners.
Enhancing the Company’s Safety and Security
- Providing a safe working environment is one of the major goals of any company, and one of the ways to do this is to make sure that no employee poses a potential threat.
- Criminal background checks for employers are conducted to screen applicants for any criminal records that may be a major concern for security.
- History on sex offenses and drug screening records are also looked into by employers in order to maintain a secure and comfortable working environment.
- For positions involving handling finances, credit history may also be checked.
- Being flagged in any of these checks does not automatically disqualify an applicant, and the law limits certain information as to what can be disclosed to employers.
Hiring Top Candidates
- Any business’s success relies heavily on the competitiveness of its employees. As such, selecting the right employees is crucial, and it begins with identity verification.
- Hiring the cream of the crop gives companies a head start, which is why many applicants, whether intentionally or unintentionally, tend to exaggerate accomplishments on their resumes. At worst, some applicants may even put in fake accreditations, or accreditations from a disreputable institution.
- Companies doing background checks verify the information on the applicant’s resume.
- Certain initially impressive resumes may not look so peachy after a thorough investigation, and record search and this helps employers filter out the duds.
Improving the Company Reputation and Compliance
- Background screening helps employers hire the right candidates in terms of clean records and competency.
- Depending on how employers brand themselves, policies on hiring decisions, especially for applicants with bad records, can affect overall perception about the organization and its core values.
- It is quite common for employers to not want to hire an applicant with a criminal background, hence the need to hire full-service companies that perform background checks. Not only is it a perceived threat to security, but it could also have a negative impact on the organization’s image and credibility.
- On the other hand, an employer with different core values may choose to have a more relaxed hiring policy and be willing to offer second chances to ex-convicts.
- There are certain positions that require licenses and training, and in this case, a service that provides background checks can verify the authenticity of an applicant’s licenses. For instance, if you’re a construction company with welders working on-site, you would want to make sure that you hire only those with certifications in compliance with all the proper regulations.
Services That Offer Background Checks at a Glance
Here’s a recap of the most popular background checks for employers & everyday use and what they excel in most.
- TruthFinder: Best for deep web scans
- Instant Checkmate: best for Premium background checks with extra data points
- Intelius: Best trial period
- Spokeo: Best user-friendly website and search functionality
- BeenVerified – Best for unclaimed money, vehicle search
- US Search: Cheapest unlimited reports
- Inteligator – Best for access to private data sources
- Employers Choice Screening – Best background screening service with international screening
- BackgroundChecks.com – Best pre-employment background check for fast results
- TransUnion ShareAble – Best service for small businesses
- RecruitScreen.com – Best for personalized background checks
- GoodHire – Best for ease of use
- HireRight – Best background screening service for multinational companies
Wrap Up
Meeting someone new or looking at a resume and taking information at face value may not always lead you in a good direction. In fact, there are certain cases when this could be dangerous. Engaging companies in performing personal and employment background checks can ensure the integrity and credibility of every person you cross paths with, be it a new neighbor or an applicant.
Background reports verify applicants’ identities, credentials, and licenses which are key factors in hiring competent and trustworthy employees. Criminal background checks for employers also help keep the working environment safe and comfortable for everyone. Additionally, hiring the right people for the right job definitely boosts productivity and maintains security in the workplace.
Meanwhile, those who want to do a check on a new crush or neighbor can lead a safer life, knowing for a fact whether that person is trustworthy or potentially dangerous.
While using companies that perform background checks for business owners and regular folks alike does come at a cost, the potential benefits, safety implications, and good reputation among clients definitely outweigh the additional expenses.
Legal disclaimer: Some sites in this article (namely Truthfinder, Instant Checkmate, Intelius, US Search, and Spokeo) are not Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRA) as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Therefore these sites can’t be used for employment, credit or tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.
FAQ
Yes. Background checks are legal as long as they comply with federal laws. Employers have the prerogative to know who they will be hiring and have the right to search public records to check the identity verification and criminal records of every applicant. This should be done through third-party FCRA compliant companies providing employee screening.
Yes! All of the best online background check sites keep your searches and reports confidential. The person you are investigating will never know that you requested a background report on them. However, it’s up to the privacy policy of the individual company how they will handle your personal data.
In case there are reports in your record search results that affect your job offer, your employer has the obligation to disclose such information and give you a chance to clarify or dispute the findings with the assigned consumer reporting agency.
Yes. All of the best background check sites offering reports for this purpose require the consent of the applicant in question. Some of the data that will be verified actually comes from the applicants themselves, as they will also be asked to answer a series of questions and submit documents to the employee screening company that their employers are using.
No. Not even the most reliable background checks for employers have access to such a database as it does not exist. Background checks are done by searching records from various institutions, both private and public. These may include courthouses, schools, hospitals, and other record holders that have your information.