In today’s interconnected world, employers, landlords, and even volunteer organizations routinely conduct background screening to assess an individual’s history. But have you ever wondered what information a background check on yourself might reveal? Running self-background checks is a proactive step that can offer peace of mind, help you prepare for future opportunities, and even uncover potential inaccuracies.
Why Run a Background Check on Yourself?
There are several compelling reasons to consider a personal background check:
Anticipate Employer Concerns: Before applying for a new job, knowing what an employer might see allows you to address any potential red flags upfront. This could be anything from a minor traffic violation to an old, resolved legal issue.
Correct Inaccurate Information: Errors on background reports are more common than you might think. A misspelled name, an outdated address, or even a mixed-up criminal record could appear. By performing a self-background check, you can identify and dispute these inaccuracies, ensuring your record is clean and truthful.
Detect Identity Theft: A surprising benefit of reviewing your own records is the potential to uncover signs of identity theft. If you see addresses, employment history, or even criminal activity that doesn’t belong to you, it’s a strong indicator that your identity may have been compromised.
Prepare for Renting or Licensing: Beyond employment, many landlords and professional licensing boards require background screening. Knowing your record helps you understand what they’ll find and allows you to be prepared for any questions.
What Information Can You Expect to See?
A comprehensive self-background check typically compiles information from various public records and databases. While the exact details can vary depending on the service, you can generally expect to see:
Criminal History: This is a primary component, including felony and misdemeanor convictions, arrests, and active warrants from national, state, and county databases. It may also include sex offender registry checks.
Identity Verification: This confirms your name, aliases, date of birth, and Social Security Number trace, often providing a history of your past addresses.
Employment Verification: Details about your previous employers, job titles, and dates of employment may be included to verify your resume.
Education Verification: This confirms your academic credentials, degrees, and certifications.
Credit History: While not always included in every employment background check, some roles, especially those involving financial responsibility, may include a credit report to assess financial stability.
Driving Records (MVRs): If a job involves driving, your driving record, including traffic violations and license status, will likely be part of the check.
Where to Access Self-Background Check Services
You have a few options when it comes to running self-background checks:
Online Background Check Services: Many reputable online platforms specialize in personal background checks. These services often provide comprehensive reports quickly and are designed for individuals to easily access their own information. Be sure to choose a service that is FCRA compliant if you intend to use the report for employment purposes.
Directly Accessing Public Records: You can also manually request various records from relevant government agencies, courthouses, and credit bureaus. While this can be more time-consuming, it might be a free or low-cost option for specific information. For instance, you can get a free annual credit report from the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).
Taking the initiative to run a background check on yourself is an empowering step towards managing your personal and professional narrative. It’s about being informed, proactive, and prepared for whatever comes your way.
For comprehensive background check services in Georgia, ensuring accuracy and comprehensive reports, contact Fidelity Background Checks today. We provide reliable and thorough solutions for all your background screening needs.
