Background Check Essentials
There is no disputing the importance of conducting background
checks in today's society. The benefits of comprehensive
background checks are felt not only by business owners but by
the individual customer. From CEO's to housewives more and more
people are beginning to view background checks as a pro-active
risk management strategy. The question many are asking is, "can
I afford not to conduct a background check?" "Can I afford not
to protect myself, my family, or my business when the cost of
acquiring such information is becoming increasingly more cost
effective?" What used to cost hundreds, even thousands of
dollars to uncover can now be quickly and easily obtained at a
fraction of the cost.
There are a few important components of a background check that
need to be discussed. In order for any background check to be
considered thorough both an SSN trace and a criminal record
check must be conducted. There are many different types of
criminal record searches. They can be narrowed easily into two
main categories: database criminal record searches and onsite
criminal record searches. The most thorough criminal record
check available will always be an onsite search. Database
searches, as we all know are fallible, but are a cost effective
means of research. It is only at the onsite level that social
security numbers can be used for criminal record verification
purposes.
Sadly, the criminal record system is not as refined or
accessible as the background check system. Thanks to credit card
companies, telemarketers, and marketing research firms an
individual's residence history, bankruptcies, relatives, and
alias names can be determined with speed and efficiency. The
criminal record system is entirely the opposite. The system is
antiquated to say the least. Due to many different state and
county reporting practices and regulations it is not uncommon
for criminal records to "slip through the cracks." This lack of
proper reporting can be dangerous both to businesses and
individual citizens. This risk can be averted by conducting
manual onsite criminal record searches along with SSN
verifications for every subject.
Alias names are a crucial aspect of any background check. It is
because of alias names, that SSN verifications are so important
in conducting a thorough background check. Most of us have what
are considered alias names. Allow me to explain, a John Wayne
Smith can show up via public record as John Smith, John W Smith,
JW Smith, J Wayne Smith, Johnny W Smith, etc. and the list goes
on. Public record may list an individual's personal information
in many different ways. Therefore, it is very important that a
human researcher of some kind review and compile any
comprehensive background check. There will never be a substitute
for human reason.
In conclusion, one would be well advised to find a company that
specializes in this type of service. There are many companies
out there that offer only one service or the other. A criminal
check is not complete without an SSN verification or background
check, nor is a background check complete without a criminal
record search and SSN verification. They indeed go hand in hand.
Beware of any company that cannot or does not offer both,
because the information returned may not be complete or
accurate. In today's society you really can't afford not to
conduct a comprehensive background check.
Some Additional Tips: 1. Do not use any part of your address or
birth date as a PIN. Never write your PIN anywhere.
2. Ready to mail your bill payments? Don't leave them in the
open. Thieves will grab them off your desk, use cleaning solvent
to remove the payee's name, and replace it with another name
that enables them to get the money. And once thieves have your
checks or your checking account number, they can use computers
to print checks with your name on them.
3. Never put any information about yourself on a post card or on
the outside of an envelope other than a return address.
4. Stop giving people your mother's maiden name. It helps crooks
access private information about you.
5. When a new credit card arrives, sign the back immediately
using permanent ink. Never carry more than two credit cards.
Don't give your credit card number over the phone unless you
initiated the call, and never do so in a public place, including
at work. Never give your credit card number when using a
portable or cell phone. If a credit card you've ordered does not
arrive promptly, call the card issuer.
6. When you buy an item, keep the warranty information, but
don't mail the warranty reply card, especially if it is a post
card. (Doing so offers you no protection you don't already have.)
7. Avoid entering contests that require you to provide your
name, address, or other personal or financial information.
Learn more about protecting your identity visit:
www.unlimited-backgroundcheck.com