In the past, conducting a comprehensive background check required considerable time, money, and resources. Manual fingerprinting processes and data lookup meant extended timelines and high access fees.
Thankfully, things have become much more streamlined. With proper authorization, reputable screening companies are now able to access criminal court and credit data quickly and with relative ease. This makes it easy for anyone to obtain a comprehensive background check on themselves, online.
But what exactly does that process entail? We get a lot of questions from consumers regarding personal background checks and we want to provide some clarity. For this reason, we’ve answered the top 10 questions we receive regarding personal background checks. Here’s the list:
1. Why Order a Background Check on Myself?
Many individuals who order a personal background check are looking for a job or preparing for an interview. Statistically speaking, applicants are more likely to get hired when they append a copy of a current, professional background check to their resume. It demonstrates initiative, professionalism, and an eagerness to build bridges of trust from the outset.
Many people also want to make sure the information being reported about them is accurate— especially when it comes to their credit reports. Surprisingly, up to 1 in 3 Americans have errors on their credit reports. If properly identified, these errors can be disputed and (typically) resolved.
Lastly, some people have dismissed charges on their record that could be eligible for expungement. Obtaining a personal background check is a good first step in working towards getting qualifying records erased completely.
2. What Does a Personal Background Check Show?
At the bare minimum, a Peopletrail personal background check will pull information from a nationwide criminal database, verify social security number, pull an address history, and check the national sex offender registry as well as a number of other exclusions databases.
More comprehensive packages include credit checks, alias name checks, county courthouse verification on all criminal records, and social media checks.
3. How Long Does an Online Background Check Take?
Depending on the personal background check package results can return in as little as two hours or up to three business days (on average).
4. How Much Does a Peopletrail Personal Background Check Cost?
In general, personal background checks can range anywhere from around $1.00 to more than $100.00, but not all background checks are created equal. Peopletrail offers three personal background packages:
- Bronze: $19.95 (learn more)
- Silver: $29.95 (learn more)
- Gold: $59.95 (learn more)
5. What Is the Ordering Process?
For Peopletrail, the ordering process is simple.
First, select your package here.
Second, enter your information.
Third, provide payment details and submit your order to our team of researchers.
Fourth, we will begin processing your background check immediately, sending you an email with a copy of your report upon completion.
6. What Information Do I Need to Provide? Is It Secure?
The information we request on our background check order form includes name, date of birth, current address, email address, phone number, social security number, and of course, your consent. This information is used by our researchers to fulfill your background check request. All information is obtained and processed following strict data security and protection protocols.
7. Do I Need to Be Fingerprinted?
No fingerprints necessary. Name-based background checks are quickly becoming the industry standard— and for good reason. They can provide the same insights that fingerprint checks provide without the wait and hassle.
8. Why Are Dismissed Records Showing Up?
In many states, dismissed records are still reportable for 7 years. Dismissed does not mean the record ceases to exist. They can still sit on your criminal record and potentially impact your ability to obtain employment among other things.
9. What if There Is an Error on My Credit Report?
Credit report errors can be disputed with the credit bureaus. If properly disputed, credit bureaus are legally obligated to fix all errors.
10. Can I Order a Background Check on Someone Else?
No. Background checks require an individual’s unique personal identifier information as well as their express authorization. Without verifiable power of attorney, it is unlawful to order a criminal background check on behalf of someone else.
Takeaways
We hoped this helped.
At the end of the day, it’s good to know what the courts and credit bureaus have to say about you. Whether on the hunt for a job or simply looking for details on your criminal/credit history, a personal background check can be a useful resource. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to obtain quick, affordable, and accurate personal background check information from a trusted screening company.
For more information, visit us online or order your personal background check today.
