A background check can reveal all the information which is held in public records about a person. The scope can be extremely large, if necessary. This is usually required only in special cases like when the person is an applicant for a high-profile job or one in the medical sector or in a law enforcement agency. Even though you may never run or be subject to a comprehensive check, it is worth looking at what it can include.
Covering Personal Information
The typical background check always covers the person’s name, date of birth, address and phone number. In some cases, it can also include information about their spouse and possibly other relatives. Sometimes, the properties which the person owns are included. This particular information could be helpful when it comes to major financial dealings and court cases and settlements.
Criminal Background Checks
Most employers and landlords run such checks nowadays because they are easier, quicker and cheaper than ever before. The checks could be quite detailed, depending on various relevant factors such as the type of job which the person is applying for, for example. In general, the criminal records usually reveal the entire criminal history of a person including arrests which were followed by dismissal of the case or the court not finding the individual to be guilty of a crime. When checking these records, it is possible for additional details such as results from drug tests to come up. These are particularly useful for employers and landlords when they are making a decision.
It is worth noting that sometimes driving offences are recorded separately in special driving records. These should also be checked, especially in case the person is applying for a job involving driving.
Financial Information
Details such as a person’s credit history and tax information plus any bankruptcies and civil judgements made against them are checked when an application for a loan is made. This is especially important in the case of mortgage loans. That is why people are usually advised to check their credit history and have any errors fixed before applying for a loan or for a tenancy.
Various Verifications
Employers, in particular can use a background check to verify the education, previous employment and any licenses of applicants during the hiring process. This is becoming common practice for professional jobs in any field. There are also special verifications required in some cases. For example, if military service is a requirement for a job position, the employer will check the military records.
Modern background checks can benefit immensely organizations and individuals and their use is bound to increase even further.