Years ago, background checks were, for the most part, not even necessary. And along comes free background checks and everyone is scouring the internet looking for a way to find out information on that specific person.

Now, please understand, I’m an advocate for being safe and making sure that who a person says they are, they really are. Especially today, with so many people involved in our lives and in the lives of our children and families, we have to be extra careful to ensure our and their safety.

When would I need to do background checks?

Perhaps you need a nanny for your children. Not too long ago, considering doing a background search to check out our children’s permanent babysitter would be a totally unnecessary thought. People trusted each other; especially those that were caregivers to our children.

Maybe you need to hire someone for a position at your business. What is really in his/her past? Can I trust them to handle money?

You have an apartment that needs to be leased. You want a tenant that is not going to destroy the place. They have a nice car and they are dressed well. But can I trust just that?

You met someone online. You really like them and they seem to be a perfect match for you and to top it off, they live close by your home. You want to meet them but you don’t know if they really are telling the truth about who they are, what they do and where they live.

For these reasons and so many more, you should always use the ability to find out information about anyone before you become involved with them – whether it’s business or personal. Anyone can claim to be anything. Background checks, whether they are free or not, do not lie.

Can you really find vital information doing free background checks?

Our educated guess is that you are probably wasting your time if you are serious about getting accurate and updated information. When someone talks about getting “free background checks” they are basically referring to pulling up a search engine such as Google and typing the person’s full name in the browser.

This is free, so it doesn’t hurt to try and if the person’s name is unique enough and you have their address and maybe even their social security number and place of employment, there’s a slight possibility that you will get some minor form of information. But you will not, through this method, gather information such as: past criminal records, sex offense records, employment, education and DUI records, etc.

Where can I gather legitimate information to make sure I know this person?

Today, private investigators, endorsed online companies and federal organizations such as the FBI have access to databases that will get you the information that you are searching for. What a private investigator did for you years ago; an endorsed, legitimate online private investigation company can do for you in a matter of minutes today.

Word to the wise; be careful of online companies that claim they do private investigative work and give free background checks. If you go to a website that you trust or get referrals from people who have used them, there are a few very reputable online companies that do background checks and you will have the information you need in a matter of minutes.