Background checks have become an indispensable tool for everyone from employers and landlords to online daters and concerned family members. With the number of options now available, it can be challenging to determine which background check service best suits your needs. This comprehensive guide examines the top 11 sites to help you make an informed decision.
Why Perform Background Checks?
In today‘s interconnected world, it‘s crucial to verify that people are who they claim to be. Background checks empower you to:
- Screen potential employees – Verify employment history, education, criminal records and more to make informed hiring choices. This promotes a safe workplace.
- Assess tenants – Look into credit, eviction history, and criminal records to avoid problem renters and reduce liability risks.
- Date safely – Run checks to authenticate identities and uncover any red flags that ensure your personal safety.
- Research neighbors – Learn more about nearby residents for security reasons and neighborhood watch groups.
- Find lost friends/family – Locate long-lost connections and gather details to reconnect.
- Adopt wisely – Birth parents can look into potential adoptive families.
Whichever your reason, performing due diligence through background checks is vital for making wise decisions.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Site
With so many options for background checks, keep these key factors in mind when deciding on a service:
Cost
Background check sites offer different pricing models. Some charge per report, while others require monthly subscriptions. Compare costs across services to find one that fits your budget. However, don‘t sacrifice report quality and comprehensiveness for the cheapest option.
Accuracy
The credibility of your hiring or screening process depends on the accuracy of the background check reports. Prioritize services known for providing up-to-date and factual information from creditable data sources.
Turnaround Time
The speed at which you get results varies across sites. Faster turnaround means you can make decisions quicker. If you need reports within 24 hours, assess whether a service can deliver timely results.
Customer Service
Look at online reviews and testimonials to determine the responsiveness and helpfulness of each site‘s customer support team. Strong customer service is key when disputes or questions arise.
Ease of Use
A straightforward user interface minimizes hassle and speeds up the background check process. Try out the platform before committing to ensure it‘s easy to navigate and conduct searches.
11 Best Background Check Sites
Based on extensive research and testing, here are 11 top-rated services to consider for your background screening needs:
1. Truthfinder
- Best for – Criminal checks, reverse phone lookups
- Key features – Hundreds of millions of public records, criminal records from 50 states, reverse phone number lookup
- Price – $28/month
With its user-friendly interface and highly detailed reports from vast public records, Truthfinder is highly recommended for running personal and criminal background checks.
2. Intelius
- Best for – Public records access
- Key features – Extensive public records database, instant checkmate, reverse phone lookup
- Price – $24.86/month
Intelius provides comprehensive background reports pulled from myriad public records. Also offers reverse email lookup and reverse phone number search options.
3. BeenVerified
- Best for – Online dating checks
- Key features – Reverse phone lookup, criminal records, sex offender registry, social media integration
- Price – $26.89/month
BeenVerified‘s detailed reports from various data sources make it the best background check service for dating and relationships.
4. Spokeo
- Best for – Phone number lookups
- Key features – Reverse phone number search, email address search, comprehensive people search
- Price – $19.95/month
With 12 billion records in its database, Spokeo excels at quickly tracing phone numbers to identify callers.
5. PeopleFinders
- Best for – Public records access
- Key features – Instant background checks, reverse phone lookup, property records
- Price – $24.95/month
PeopleFinders provides users extensive search capabilities through billions of public records. Useful for researching individuals‘ personal and professional histories.
6. Instant Checkmate
- Best for – Criminal records access
- Key features – Nationwide inmate lookup, sex offender reports, arrest records search
- Price – $34.78/month
Instant Checkmate delivers quick and actionable insights into criminal history for informed safety and hiring decisions.
7. Checkr
- Best for – Pre-employment screening
- Key features – Criminal record checks, verification services, compliance tools
- Price – Customized quotes
Checkr offers tailored packages for comprehensive employee screening. Ideal for HR departments hiring at scale.
8. GoodHire
- Best for – Employment background checks
- Key features – Sex offender registry search, terrorist watch list check, reference checks
- Price – $29.99/month
GoodHire is highly rated for its low-cost pre-employment screening. Offers tailored checks like education verification and professional license validation.
9. HireRight
- Best for – International background checks
- Key features – Global criminal record search, employment verification, drug testing
- Price – Customized quotes
HireRight is known for its extensive international screening capabilities, from education credentials overseas to global sanctions watchlist searches.
10. First Advantage
- Best for – Industry-specific screening
- Key features – Drug testing, healthcare credentialing, fleet MVRs
- Price – Customized quotes
First Advantage caters to screening needs across various industries like healthcare, transportation, retail, and more.
11. Sterling Backcheck
- Best for – International background checks
- Key features – Criminal records 230+ countries, global employment verification, sanctions search
- Price – Customized quotes
Sterling Backcheck is ideal for global background checks, with access to international records from 100+ countries.
Types of Background Checks
Background check services offer various options depending on your specific needs:
Criminal Background Checks
Essential for screening employees and tenants, these checks look for:
- Arrest and conviction records
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Sex offender registries
- Global terrorist watchlists
Employment Background Checks
Verify a candidate‘s work history and qualifications by searching:
- Employment dates, titles, salaries
- Licenses and certifications
- References
- Reasons for leaving previous jobs
Credit Reports
Assess financial responsibility by reviewing:
- Credit scores and ratings
- Payment history
- Bankruptcies and foreclosures
- Collection accounts
Education Verification
Confirm academic credentials like:
- Degrees obtained
- Schools attended
- Graduation dates
- Major subjects
- Accreditation
Driving Records
Important for driving positions. Checks uncover:
- License status
- Traffic violations
- Suspensions and revocations
- Accidents
- DUIs
Drug Testing
May include pre-employment testing for:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Amphetamines
- Other substances
Understanding the FCRA
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates background check services. Key implications:
For background check sites:
- Must provide accurate and current information
- Regularly update and verify data
- Keep personal data confidential
- Disclose purpose for collecting information
- Obtain consent before running checks
For users:
Consent – Must give written permission for checks
Access – Can review your own reports
Dispute – Request corrections to inaccurate information
Notification – Informed if adverse action taken due to report findings
Using Background Checks Responsibly
While background checks are useful tools, utilize them ethically:
Employees:
- Comply with FCRA and applicable laws
- Inform candidates and obtain consent
- Use info only for hiring decisions
Online dating:
- Verify identities for safety
- Respect privacy of dates
Neighbors:
- Learn about nearby residents
- Don‘t intrude on privacy
Old friends:
- Locate long-lost connections
- Use details only to reconnect
What Information Is Included?
Background checks pull data from:
- Public records – Birth certificates, marriage licenses, property records
- Criminal history – Arrests, convictions, sex offender status
- Social media – Insights into employment, education, connections
Privacy Concerns
Safeguard your personal data:
- Review site privacy policies
- Use strong passwords
- Avoid sharing unnecessary personal details
- Monitor credit reports for identity theft signs
FAQ
Q: What‘s the best site for criminal checks?
A: Truthfinder provides extensive insights into criminal history.
Q: What‘s the top site for dating checks?
A: BeenVerified offers all-encompassing dating-specific checks.
Q: Are there any free options?
A: Some free sites exist but provide limited reports compared to paid services.
Q: Can I run a one-time check without a subscription?
A: Yes, sites like Intelius allow you to purchase individual reports as needed.
Q: Which is most accurate for public records?
A: With billions of records, Intelius delivers reliable public information.
Q: Can I use Truthfinder for free?
A: You can access limited information but comprehensive reports require a paid subscription.
The Takeaway
Choosing the right background check service boils down to your specific needs and preferences. Assess aspects like pricing, report accuracy and turnaround times. For criminal history, Truthfinder is highly recommended, while BeenVerified excels for dating checks. Ultimately, run comparisons across multiple sites before deciding on the best service for your background screening needs.
