There are a few websites that advertise free background checks, but are they really free? Many of the sites allow you to put in the name and state of residence of the person you are checking.
They then take you to the next "teaser" page.
This page shows you how many people are in their database with that name.
The catch is that in order to access this information, you need to buy a monthly or yearly membership to their websites.
One website does offer a seven day "trial version.
" During the seven days you can access information about a person that is very limited.
You will be given a list of their neighbors and relatives and receive notices if there are changes in sex offender status or in criminal records.
There are a couple of catches that you may not know if you do not study the website thoroughly.
First of all, to get the seven day free trial period, you need to provide your phone number as well as your credit card information.
If you do not cancel the membership before the trial period is over, your credit card will be charged for a full year's membership which costs around $100.
The home page has fine print that tells you that their information is from "publicly available sources of information," and that this information is not meant to be used for employment or tenant screening.
Many disgruntled users of this and other sites that offer low price background checks reveal that it is difficult to cancel memberships, and that the information these sites provide is inaccurate.
One person reviewed herself, knowing she had a criminal record, and it did not even show up! Other users claimed that the information they were given listed inaccurate information about them and the people they know.
Getting accurate information on a person usually requires more information than simply their name and the state in which they live.
For a criminal background search, it is best to have the person's address, phone number, social security number, and the aliases they have used.
There are so many variables involved in background checks that you may not realize.
Professional companies have access to multiple data bases that cross check information.
Most companies guarantee that the background check report that they provide is accurate.
What good is "free" information if it isn't accurate or if it tells very little? A true background check will reveal many things about a person that businesses want to know before hiring a job applicant or about current employees.
Property owners who do tenant checks on potential renters also need accurate information before renting their property.
Professional screening companies verify social security numbers to be sure that they are searching for the right person.
Then they do a criminal search, a DMV search, and a consumer credit check.
Many companies can customize a report to include the information that an employer or property owner needs.
Although a professional background screening company does charge a fee, their rates are usually very reasonable.
There really is no such thing as a free background screening.