Backgroundchecks.com Review

If you are a business owner, an employer or a property owner, performing a background check on the people you plan to work with is of utmost importance for any kind of successful collaboration. These days, anyone can fabricate an impressive story about their work history and education and make it look believable on paper. The consequences of hiring or working with the wrong person can be huge, so many people turn to background check companies for candidate screening.

Backgroundchecks.com prides itself on giving its clients peace of mind by offering innovative and reliable services along with the #1 online criminal conviction database in the industry. The reports produced by Backgroundchecks.com are easy-to-understand, comprehensive, and suitable for consumers and businesses of all sizes. For a more detailed insight into how this company operates and what it has to offer, continue reading our Backgroundchecks.com review.

How Does Backgroundchecks.com Work?

Backgroundchecks.com was founded over two decades ago with the goal of providing its users with screening services that would help protect them and their businesses from people who act under false pretenses. Over the years, Backgroundchecks.com has compiled more than 650 million criminal records from over 1,000 sources from all 50 states along with 22 million photos, creating the largest online criminal conviction database in the business used by more than 100,000 consumers and companies.

Backgroundchecks.com is one of the founders of The National Association of Professional Background Screeners (napbs®) used by HR departments to perform pre-employment screenings and the co-founder of The Expungement Clearinghouse that helps clear expunged records.

Whether you are a business owner or a consumer, using Backgroundchecks.com will provide you with access to criminal records databases, multiple-user accounts, an advanced screening process, XML based API integration, and assistance with FCRA compliance. For businesses, this Dallas-based company offers an extensive network of researchers, online applications, and system-to-system interfaces, which allow for quick and easy use of its screening services. For consumers, Backgroundchecks.com provides a safe and simple way to perform a background check on themselves and discover what others may find out if they turn to similar services.

If you are a business owner, Backgroundchecks.com offers 3 types of memberships. There are basic, better, and premium packages, which differ based on the services and verifications they include. For personal use, Backgroundchecks.com offers National Criminal Background Check reports, Driving Record Reports, and background check reports performed in association with PeopleFinders, an online background check company that focuses on people lookup services.

With a wide range of services, Backgroundchecks.com offers products for performing all types of searches, like criminal records, aliases, sex offenders, national security risks, nationwide wants and warrants, and criminal histories on a county, state, and federal level.

There are also verification services suitable for employers who would like to verify their employees’ education, professional licenses and certifications, and references. Additionally, Backgroundchecks.com offers more services to help you check vehicle, financial, drug abuse, and criminal histories.

To get the most out of its offer, Backgrounchecks.com recommends combining multiple products, verifications, and services. For example, you can start with a multi-jurisdictional instant criminal database search, proceed with direct searches at specific courts, and finish by ordering additional vehicle and financial history reports.

It is important to note that when ordering a specific court report, usually on a county level, chances are some courts do not have digital access to their records and there is no guarantee the data is up-to-date. That is why Backgroundchecks.com offers a direct courthouse search service, known as a court runner, performed by experienced criminal record researchers who can obtain reliable information.

Depending on how fast or in-depth your report needs to be, Bacgroundchecks.com offers several solutions:

• You can order instant reports covered by the basic membership.
• You can perform a more thorough search by ordering several background checks, which usually takes up to 2-3 business days.
• You can save time by opting for a candidate self-order option. With this option, you get to delegate certain parts of background check screenings by allowing your candidates to perform a background check themselves and pay for it. You can send single or multiple email invites to your candidates asking them to complete a background check on their own, saving you time and reducing the risk of errors.

Backgroundchecks.com also provides services for resellers by offering access to its record database through a web services gateway and allowing them to perform searches without ordering reports.

The company has a transparent privacy policy where you can read all about the information it collects and how it uses the collected data. Information that is automatically collected once you join the site includes your Internet protocol address, email addresses, and navigational and purchase information. The data is collected for the purpose of creating your profile and customizing the site according to your preferences.

Backgroundchecks.com uses ClickTale web analytics service that records mouse clicks, mouse movements, scrolling activity, and text entered on the website to improve site navigation and forms. This service does not collect your personally identifiable information. The information collected through data entry is usually provided by filling out information through voluntary online forms. This information may include your user name, password, city of birth, full name, telephone number, email address, postal address, credit card information and more. It is gathered for registration purposes, financial transactions, provided services, and surveys and other interactive purposes.

Backgroundchecks.com primarily functions as a consumer reporting agency, which means it collects information from third parties like courts, state agencies, employers, schools, references, credit bureaus, and other sources and uses it to create consumer reports according to consumer-reporting laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The information obtained through Backgroundchecks.com is used for legitimate business purposes, including processing your transactions, customer service, product and service development, direct marketing, reporting to marketing affiliates, and marketing analysis. The same information is only disclosed to companies controlling, controlled by or under common control by Backgroundchecks.com.

Backgroundchecks.com does not provide refunds and all purchases are final.

For any inquiries you might have, whether you are a reseller or a personal or business user, there is a customer support form you can fill out. Backgroundchecks.com employs a US-based customer support team equipped to deal with any issues related to the company and its services. In case you find your report incorrect, you can fill out a consumer request for a reinvestigation form or contact the consumer relations department by phone.

Backgroundchecks.com Screening Services

Like we mentioned in the previous section of our Backgroundchecks.com review, this company offers a wide range of products and services to provide you with in-depth background check reports.

The core of every background check report includes a criminal background check that is available through the following products:

– US OneSEARCH allows you to sift through 650 million criminal records from counties, department of corrections (doc), administrative offices of courts (AOC), and offender registries existing in 50 states plus Washington DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico, along with international terrorism sources and more than 10 million photos. You can also limit your search to only one state and part of the US by customizing your search to include only 5 states. The information provided is instant and based on a comparison of publicly available sources. This information includes jurisdiction, case number, defendant, charge, filing date, degree of offense, disposition, disposition date, and sentence. In some states like California, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, and Indiana, the date must be verified before being included in the report.

-US AliasSEARCH compares Backgroundckecks.com’s database with known aliases corresponding with the subject’s social security number. The search is performed based on the subject’s full name and social security number (SSN), which is then ran through the SSA death master index that alerts you if the SSN belongs to a deceased person. The results are instant, except in California, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, and Indiana, and cover the same information as the US OneSEARCH report.

-US OneVERIFY provides the same information as US OneSEARCH, but it also verifies criminal matches straight from the source before reporting them, making sure the record matches currently available public records, updating incomplete records, and allowing updated and complete records to be presented. US OneVERIFY requires the subject’s full name and date of birth to perform a criminal background check. Clear results are available instantly, but if there is a match, the public record research department is required to compare data with the source before reporting it. The entire verification process lasts 1-3 business days.

-US AliasVERIFY combines searches from criminal conviction databases with aliases and verifies criminal matches straight from the source, making sure the record matches currently available public records, updating incomplete records, and allowing updated and complete records to be presented. The entire search process is the same as with US AliasSEARCH and so is the obtained information. Verification is completed in 1-3 business days.

-US Offender OneSEARCH searches a state’s specific sex offender registry and available tribal registries for the subject’s name and date of birth. The database includes comprehensive sex offender registry data from 49 states plus Washington DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and many tribal sex offender registries. The report covers identifiers, registered addresses, aliases, case numbers, charge(s), conviction details, and periods of incarceration.

-National Security OneSEARCH searches more than 100 national and international lists such as the Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Inspector General Exclusions List, Interpol Fugitives List, and Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Most Wanted List. National and international lists formed by institutions like the FBI and the DEA contain names of people known for terrorist activities, money laundering, illegal imports, fraud against government agencies, and violations of federal banking regulations, people who have been debarred, denied, or sanctioned or people who are listed on exclusion, most wanted, fugitive or other government lists. The information found in the report includes agency where the record is located, case or another identifying number, and defendant.

-Nationwide Wants and Warrants searches for active, extraditable federal and state warrants that contain felonies and misdemeanors and provides information on current arrest warrants and agencies that issued them, including local and county police, sheriff’s offices, county and district courts, state district attorneys, the state’s department of corrections, probation and parole boards, and federal law enforcement agencies like the DEA, the FBI, and the United States Marshall Service.

-County Criminal History search is the best way to obtain felony and misdemeanor information. This report provides information from the court records where the conviction took place and may include the degree of the offense, offense dates, case numbers, filing dates, defendants, counts, trial dates, verdicts, disposition, disposition dates, and sentencing information. The search goes back a minimum of seven years, but you can look even further back (10, 20 or 30 years). The turnaround time for these reports varies from the way Backgroundchecks.com obtains the information. For digital access, it usually takes 1-3 business days and the court fees may go up to $95. For court runner services, it depends on the county, courthouses, and court clerks.

-State Criminal History helps discover felonies outside the area where the search subject lives. Backgroundchecks.com has access to electronic records from 30 states, including Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Florida, and South Carolina, and needs to submit a request for 14 other states. California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, and West Virginia do not allow Backgroundchecks.com to perform this type of search. The report may include information like jurisdiction, case number, defendant, charge, filing date, degree of offense, disposition, disposition date, and sentence. The turnaround time for obtaining the report ranges from one day to several weeks. The statewide search goes back 7 years, but you can select the period you wish, including 10, 20 or 30 years back.

-Federal Criminal History search is performed in the same way as County Criminal History. The report only includes offenses that are federally prosecuted (violations of federal law as enforced by the FBI, DEA, ATF, and other government agencies). Federal violations include kidnapping, drug trafficking, interstate transportation of stolen goods, bank robbery, and embezzlement. The typical turnaround time ranges from one to several business days. The search goes back 7 years, but you can select the period you wish, including 10, 20 or 30 years back.

Backgroundchecks.com offers the following types of verifications:

-Employment Verification checks information from one or more employers found in the application and verifies the data by contacting the employers directly. The information Backgroundchecks.com verifies includes dates of employment, job position, reason for leaving, and eligibility for rehire. The report includes verification of employment with one employer.

-Education Verification verifies the subject’s education history, including school, college, university, dates of attendance, degree(s) or credential(s), and any honors attached to the degree, with information obtained from education institutions. The report includes verification of one diploma or degree with one school.

-Professional License and Certification Verification is used to check information like type of license, certification or permit, issuing state or agency, and date of issuance and expiration, along with comments, honors or actions related to the certification.

-Reference Verification checks business and personal references to gain more insight into the subject’s work history. Backgroundchecks.com verifies information by talking to co-workers, past managers, and others who reported to or knew the subject. The report includes verification of one reference’s response.

Along with products and verifications, Backgroundchecks.com offers additional services like:

-Driving Record Report that includes driving records from all 50 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. The report obtains records of driving while intoxicated, revoked licenses, accidents, and minor traffic violations. To order a driving record report, you need to submit information like business or insurance licenses. It can take up to 3 business days for the company to verify the submitted data. For Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington, you will have to provide signed state-specific forms. The information found in the report includes suspensions, violations, driving status, points, fines, violation codes, license classification, and endorsement.

-Credit Report is used to obtain a better understanding of the applicant’s sense of financial responsibility and to detect financial stress in positions susceptible to financial abuse. This report is compiled based on the subject’s full name, date of birth, social security number, and residential address. It includes names and addresses associated with the provided social security number and available information on the highest credit extended, past due amounts, credit limits, average monthly payment information, balances, and percentage of available credit, along with information about civil suits, judgments, bankruptcies, tax liens, and collection amounts. To get this report for employment purposes, tenant screening or franchise screening, your company needs to provide certain documents and fill an application. For an industry required site inspection of your physical location, there is an extra charge of $75.00. The entire procedure may take up to 14 days. Note that many states do not allow the use of credit reports for hiring purposes. The report includes a single report from a major national credit bureau.

-Drug Screening includes a complete set of substance abuse testing services performed by a company considered to be “best-of-breed” in provided turnaround time, compliance, quality assurance, and technological capability. The tests you can order include:

• 5-panel including checks for Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiate, and Phencyclidine PCP
• 8-panel including checks for Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiate, Phencyclidine PCP, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepine, and Methadone
• 9-panel including checks for Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiate, Phencyclidine PCP, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepine, Methadone, and Propoxyphene
• 10-panel including checks for Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiate, Phencyclidine PCP, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepine, Methadone, Propoxyphene, and Methaqualone
• 10-panel + including checks for Amphetamines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Opiate, Phencyclidine PCP, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepine, Methadone, Propoxyphene, Methaqualone, and Ecstasy

If the applicant is clean, they get notified in 15 minutes. Other results may take between 2-3 days to complete.

-County Civil History includes information regarding claims, suits, and judgments filed by or against the search subject. Since county civil courts of general jurisdiction cover all matters under state law, the report can contain contracts, personal injury, discrimination, eviction, and other claims. Specialed courts like probate courts, family courts, and small-claims courts are also included in the civil court system. The information found in the report includes case number, plaintiff, defendant, filing date, case type, finding, finding date, and conditions.

-Federal Civil History report includes information about cases involving interstate commerce, violations of civil rights, issues involving the federal government or federal statutes, financial institutions, and more. Since 93% of federal districts have digitalized their records, the results can be available in one day and the search is restricted to 7 years back.

-Bankruptcy Report gives information on bankruptcies found in the specific US district bankruptcy court. This information may include jurisdiction, case or file number, date filed, parties involved, trustee, type of bankruptcy (chapter 11, chapter 7, etc.) and conditions.

-US OneTRACE report searches the subject’s social security number in a multi-jurisdictional database that contains information provided by hundreds of public and private sources to reveal details regarding known names and addresses. The entire process is the same as with US AliasSEARCH and US AliasVERIFY and the report is an extensive list of names and addresses associated with an SSN.

Backgroundchecks.com Plans & Pricing

Backroundchecks.com offers a variety of membership options and single reports suitable for a wide range of needs. It also regularly provides discounts and special offers.

For business use, there are 3 types of membership, as we already mentioned at the beginning of this Backgroundchecks.com review. These include basic, better, and premium memberships.

The basic membership costs $29.95 and includes:

• Instant criminal US AliasSEARCH
• Over 650 million criminal conviction records & 20 million photos
• Offender registries from all 50 states plus Washington DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico (total of 164 sex offender registries)
• 100+ national & international security sources such as Terrorist Watch lists and OFAC
• Search multiple names – Primary name & known aliases sourced from a name and address history based on the subject’s social security number
• Social security number validation
• Note: Excludes CA, CT, IN, ME & MN where verification of criminal record matches found in Backgroundchecks.com’s instant database is required before reporting them

Better membership costs $49.95 and includes:

• Verified criminal US AliasVERIFY + 1 county criminal search
• All the benefits of the US AliasVERIFY search
• 1 county-level criminal records search of a primary name
• Offender registries from all 50 states plus Washington DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico (total of 164 sex offender registries)
• 100+ national & international security sources such as Terrorist Watch lists and OFAC
• Search multiple names – Criminal database search of primary names & known aliases sourced from a name and address history based on the subject’s social security number
• Social security number validation
• Powerful auto development system populates most recent county of residence for a direct courthouse search
• Nationwide network of experienced at-the-source criminal record researchers
• Results in 1-3 business days on average
• Note: Additional court fees may apply to county-level criminal record searches. If the court requires an additional fee, the amount will be displayed before you place your order.

Premium membership costs $64.95 and includes:

• Verified criminal US AliasVERIFY + all counties criminal search
• All the benefits of the US AliasVERIFY search
• Multiple county-level criminal records searches of primary names
• Offender registries from all 50 states plus Washington DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico (total of 164 sex offender registries)
• 100+ national & international security sources such as Terrorist Watch lists and OFAC
•  Search multiple names – Criminal database search of primary name & known aliases sourced from a name and address history based on the subject’s social security number
• Social security number validation
• Powerful auto development system populates counties of residence for direct courthouse searches
• Nationwide network of experienced at-the-source criminal record researchers
• Expanded screening of all counties for the past 7 years
• Results in 1-3 business days on average
• Note: Additional court fees may apply to county-level criminal record searches. If the court requires an additional fee, the amount will be displayed before you place your order.

For personal use, you can choose between National Criminal Background Checks, Driving Record Reports, and background checks performed by PeopleFinders.

The National Criminal Background Check report costs $12.50 and provides access to data from the Department of Corrections, Administrative Office of the Courts, and sex offender registries covering all 50 states plus Washington DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico. This report includes:

• Comprehensive nationwide criminal history
• Information from state agencies
• County courts data
• Department of Corrections information
• Checks against the Terrorist Watch List
• Administrative Office of the Courts information
• National registered sex offender data

The Driving Record Report costs $39.95 and offers information on your driving record through an instant motor vehicle report. This type of report is only available for information about yourself and includes:

• Suspensions
• Violations and codes
• Driving Status
• Points
• Fines
• License classification
• Endorsements

Background checks provided by PeopleFinders include information like:

• Arrest records
• Court records
• Current and past contact info
• Reverse phone lookups
• Addresses and phone numbers
• AKAs, age, date of birth
• Relatives and associates
• Police records
• Search warrants
• Criminal records data
• Public records data
• Bankruptcies, judgments, liens
• Property records
• Marriage and divorce records
• Birth and death records

Backgroundchecks.com offers special deals and prices to cater to its clients’ needs no matter how big or small they are. For enterprises and large organizations that screen more than 50 people per month, Backgroundchecks.com offers a customized package for a special price formed according to your company’s specific requirements. For smaller businesses running less than 50 screenings, there are also discounts on retail prices depending on the number of searches:

• 1 search costs $29.95 per report
• 5 searches cost $27.95 each, a total of $139.75 with 8% off instead of $149.75
• 10 searches cost $23.95 each, a total of $239.50 with 20% off instead of $229.95
• 25 searches cost $21.95 each, a total of $548.75 with 27% off instead of $748.75
• 50 searches cost $18.95 each, a total of $947.50 with 37% off instead of $1,497.50

The following prices refer to single reports for products, verifications, and additional services described in the previous sections of this Backgroundchecks.com review:

• US OneSEARCH – $23.95
• US AliasSEARCH – $29.95
• US OneVERIFY – $25.95
• US AliasVERIFY – $33.45
• US Offender OneSEARCH – $6.95
• National Security OneSEARCH – $7.95
• Nationwide Wants and Warrants – $15.00
• County Criminal History Search – $12.00
• State Criminal History – $10.00
• Federal Criminal History – $15.00
• Employment Verification – $12.50
• Education Verification – $12.50
• Professional License and Certification Verification – $20.00
• Reference Verification – $12.50
• Driving Record Report – $7.00
• Credit Report – $7.00
• Drug Screening – $36.00
• County Civil History – $22.00
• Federal Civil History – $15.00
• Bankruptcy Report – $15.00
• US OneTRACE – $3.50

Backgroundchecks.com Pros & Cons