Background Check in the United States

A background check in the United States can also be called a background investigation. It is the process of researching and compiling many different types of records (criminal records, commercial records and financial records, to name a few) in order to learn more about a certain individual.

The most often cause for running a background check in the United States is to learn more about a potential employee. Financial institutions, airports, schools, health care operations, churches and other positions of trust will often require a background check before a candidate is hired. A government agency can perform this research, or it can often be done by a private investigative firm that specializes in the researching of an individual’s background. A background check results will often yield important information such as gaps in employment history, employment references, identity and address verification, education verification, a character reference check, criminal history, credit score, driving record and employment verification.

A background check is often a way for employers to ascertain a candidate’s fitness, character, job qualifications and identify potential problems that may appear in the future. To this end, background checks in the United States may sometimes be used illegally and can lead the employer to discriminate against a potential candidate or identity theft. Any company that is to run a background check on a potential employee must legally advise that employee of their decision to do so, and allow the candidate to know what credit reporting agency they have the intent of using.

Many of the items used in a background check can easily be found for free online, or in hard copy format. However, some businesses have been purchasing these public records in large quantities in order to offer them as an easier alternative to those who wish to perform a background check themselves.