How Private Investigators Do Background Checks

A background check is an inquiry or probe that an individual or company undertakes to verify that a person is who they claim to be.  It offers a chance to confirm the authenticity of the subject’s identity, criminal record, work history, education, and other activities from their past.

Private investigators or detectives are licensed professionals you can hire to conduct background checks in line with legal requirements and ethical guidelines. These inquiry agents have the expertise and resources to uncover information that may not be readily available to the average person. This article answers the question: how do private investigators do background checks?

Reasons to Conduct a Background Check

There are various reasons for enlisting the information gathering services of private investigators. Employers typically carry out these checks when hiring new employees for pre-employment screening purposes. 

This is more so for candidates applying for roles that involves handling sensitive information or positions of trust. These may include jobs in hospitals, schools, financial institutions, and government agencies. 

Nonetheless, background checks in the corporate world have become a necessity for many companies today. Employers use background checks to judge an applicant’s character, integrity, and suitability for employment. 

The checks help identify hiring risks for security, safety, and reputational reasons. Companies conduct these inquiries to mitigate harmful actions within their staff and avoid legal liabilities. 

Some government agencies collaborate with private investigators to probe potential employees that will have security clearance. In addition, companies may conduct background checks on potential partners and investors. 

These services can help provide crucial insight to inform business decisions. You can uncover histories of fraudulent operations, criminal activities, or unethical business practices. Attorneys handling civil and criminal cases can request background checks to gather crucial information to help build a case. 

You may also conduct a background check to verify the identity and determine the trustworthiness of someone you met through dating sites. These services can help you confirm the validity of details a potential suitor shares. This is crucial for security purposes in the potentially dangerous world of online dating. 

How do Private Investigators do Background Checks?

Private detectives utilize a variety of investigative searches to gather background information. In most cases, the agents will start with publicly available databases and records to collect general information. Public databases include:

• Criminal records – Various law enforcement agencies compile and update criminal records on federal, state, and local levels. Private detectives can search the internal databases of sheriff’s offices and local police departments. 

On the state level, they may search correctional agencies, state police, and trooper databases. All states have statewide repositories that contain criminal history data availed by various municipal and county courts within the state. Other public criminal databases investigators can examine include sex offender registry, terrorist watch lists, and National crime files.

• Education records – Inquiry agents can check the registries of educational institutional and professional bodies. This information can help verify the qualifications and resume information provided by job applicants. 
• Marriage records and divorce fillings- Inquiry agents may also look into public marriage records and divorce fillings to find a slew of background information. This includes relations, associates, statements of assets, sources of income, banking information, and employment information.
• Civil records - Federal, state, and county civil litigation databases may provide information regarding any pending or past cases the subject may be involved in.
• Corporate and SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) fillings - These publicly available records allow investigators to uncover information such as business partnerships, registered patents, and contractor agreements.
• Uniform Commercial Code(UCC) filings - Secretary of state offices files UCC liens, which allow creditors to publicly notify each other about a person's assets used as collateral for a certain transaction. PIs can check these filings to analyze a subject's credit history.
• News archives - PI utilizes appropriate search engines and a streamlined process to quickly uncover relevant information from news filings, trade publications, and published works.

How do private investigators ensure the accuracy of the information they provide?

Well, the accuracy is given by the cities, counties, and states as being court-ready information. That’s what they say, but we have due diligence to make sure that when we sign the report and sign off on it, we’ve done everything to not only double but triple verify the information. For example, if you’re going to say that somebody owns a property, just because it says it in the county that the person lives in, you might want to have to look at the grantee/grantor records. You may want to get a title search done so that you not only do it once, twice but three times to ensure that the information is accurate. If you don’t do that, then I think you have due diligence to tell the client; hey, we couldn’t verify this by any other source, but we’re fairly sure that this information is accurate.

How long does a typical background check take to complete?

Most background checks that we do for corporations, the public, attorneys, and insurance companies, because we have our own in-house computer system, we can get those done within 24 hours. Once completed, we like to send the court-ready documents by mail. We can also send them digitally, but we like the clients to have the actual paper, so they read it. Sometimes when you give them just the digital part, they don’t read all of that, and then they miss a lot of the important documents, so we try to knock ‘em out pretty quick.

Private Databases

These agents also leverage private investigator databases to access historical and current information on persons of interest. These are professional platforms that aggregate a trove of information and data that may not be readily available to the public. An investigator needs to provide proof of licensure and a subscription to use these tools. 

PI databases pull information from public repositories and proprietary data aggregators to generate extensive search results. Private detectives can leverage a range of these databases, depending on their specialty and the nature of the inquiry.

Most investigators will utilize several such databases when doing background investigations. Good examples include Tracers, IRBSearch, TLOxp, and IDI. Such resources allow the detective to quickly access different types of information that ordinary citizens may not even be aware of.

Note that public and private databases can contain inaccurate, outdated, or even false information. As such, private detectives conduct due diligence by verifying this information through source record searches. The agents may go through their licensing state to obtain civil or criminal records of a subject. However, the agents must get a release from the subject.

Private detectives have a wide network and contacts within government and law enforcement agencies. In fact, many private investigators are former law enforcement personnel or have ties with government agencies. They can use these contacts and connections to countercheck the information sourced from public databases.

Government Sites and Platforms 

Private investigators can also conduct social Security traces to determine the validity of a subject’s Social Security Number (SSN) and citizenship status. They can use various platforms such as the federal E-verify program, to examine the status of an SNN. 

This is a Department of Homeland Security website that can help investigators determine the eligibility of potential applicants to work in the US.

WHY ARE BACKGROUND CHECKS NECESSARY?

Background checks are essential because they can help ensure the safety and well-being of individuals, organizations, and communities. For example, an employer may conduct a background check on a job applicant to ensure that the applicant does not have a criminal history that could pose a risk to coworkers or customers.

A landlord may conduct a background check on a potential tenant to ensure that the tenant has a history of paying rent on time and taking care of rental properties. An organization may conduct a background check on a new member to ensure that the individual does not have a history of behavior incompatible with the organization’s values or mission.

A background check investigator plays a crucial role in reviewing an individual's criminal, commercial, or financial records. By conducting thorough background checks, these investigators help ensure the safety and well-being of individuals, organizations, and communities. If you require reliable background checks, trust the experience and professionalism of our team. Martin Investigative Services, with its network of former Secret Service, IRS, FBI, and DEA agents, offers trusted services to help you through the process. Contact us to initiate your background search and benefit from our 50+ years of expertise!

CAN PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS DO BACKGROUND CHECKS

Our team of private investigators examines all aspects of a person’s life and can verify the accuracy of information on an application or resume. We conduct thorough background checks that include criminal, professional, and even personal history. This can help individuals and companies make informed decisions when selecting potential employees or partners.

What are Background Checks used for:

1. To verify the accuracy of information an individual provides: A background check can help confirm that the information an individual has provided about themselves, such as their employment history, education, and criminal record, is accurate.
2. To uncover potential red flags: A background check can reveal any issues or concerns in an individual’s past that may be relevant to the situation. For example, a criminal record or a history of financial problems could be relevant to an employer or a landlord.
3. To protect individuals and organizations from fraud: A background check can help identify individuals attempting to deceive or defraud others. For example, a background check can reveal if an applicant has provided false information on their resume or application.
4. To protect individuals and organizations from theft: A background check can help identify individuals who may be at risk of stealing from an organization or its members. For example, an individual with a history of financial crimes or embezzlement could pose a threat to an employer.
5. To protect individuals and organizations from violence: A background check can help identify individuals who may pose a risk of violence to others. For example, an individual with a history of violent crimes or a restraining order could pose a threat to an employer or a landlord.

Background checks can provide information that helps individuals make informed decisions about their interactions with others. By verifying the accuracy of the information provided by an individual and by uncovering any potential red flags, background checks can help protect individuals and organizations from fraud, theft, violence, and other harm.

Private Investigator for Executive Level Background Screening

Executive background screening is important for the safety and growth of an organization. Executive background screening services should be comprehensive and discreet given the high stakes nature of the assignment. A PI company specializing in executive background screening typically hires ex-intelligence operators from the FBI, IRS, and Secret Service agencies to help businesses and individuals get to the fine truth. So, before you confirm an executive level hire, partner with a professional PI firm like Martin PI. The company will help you verify credentials, and bring to light everything important you need to learn about the candidate you want to hire.

What are the main differences between private investigator background checks and those done by government agencies?

Government agencies do those with the NCIC computer, the National Crime Information Computer System. When I was a federal agent, we could access that system, and that has every city, county, and state, both civil and criminal records. When you hire a private investigator, 90% of them just use the internet. And I’m always baffled about why people pay a private investigator to get what they can get themselves just by going onto the internet. The 4, 5, and 6 companies with their own systems can do background checks, but it won’t be the breadth and depth of a government check because not every city, county, and state sells them. For example, in California, there are 58 counties, and only 17 sell the data. So you have to be very diligent in telling the client, look, if the person committed a crime in one of these counties that don’t sell us the data, they could have committed a murder. We’re not going to find it because you have to do a hand search. So, the difference is vast.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK FOR IN A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION?

The specific records and information that are checked as part of a background investigation can vary depending on the purpose of the inquiry and the laws that apply to it. Some common types of records and information that you may review during a background investigation include:

Criminal history

A criminal history background check is the process where an individual’s criminal records are reviewed. This type of check is often conducted by employers, landlords, and organizations with help from a private investigator background check before making a decision that could be affected by an individual’s criminal history, such as hiring an employee, renting a property, or accepting a new member.

Criminal history background checks can reveal information about an individual’s arrests, charges, convictions, and incarceration. This information can be helpful to employers, landlords, and organizations to make informed decisions about their interactions with others. For example, an employer may want to know if a job applicant has a criminal history that could make them a threat to customers or coworkers.

A landlord may want to know if a potential tenant has a history of behavior that could disrupt the community or damage the property. An organization may want to know if a new member has a history of conduct compatible with the organization’s mission or values.

Employment history

An employment history background check verifies an individual’s work history and job performance through background investigation companies. This can involve checking references, reviewing employment records, and verifying the individual’s dates of employment and job titles.

Employment history background checks are often done for employment or security clearance purposes. Employers may want to verify an applicant’s employment history to assess their job performance, skills, and experience and to determine if they are a good fit for the company.

To conduct an employment history background check, you can ask the individual for a list of their previous employers, job titles, and dates of employment. You can then contact the employers to verify the information and ask for references or more detailed information about the individual’s job performance.

It’s essential to remember that employers are generally only willing to provide limited information about former employees and may not be able to discuss specific details like salary or disciplinary actions.

Financial history

A financial history background check is when an individual’s financial records are reviewed. Employers, landlords, and organizations often conduct this check before making a decision that could be affected by an individual’s financial history, such as hiring an employee, accepting a new member, or renting a property.

Financial history background checks can reveal information about an individual’s credit score, bankruptcies, foreclosures, and outstanding debts. This information can be helpful to employers, landlords, and organizations to make informed decisions about their interactions with others.

For example, an employer may want to know if a job applicant has a history of financial problems that could affect their job performance or reliability. A landlord may want to know if a potential tenant has a history of paying rent on time and taking care of rental properties.

Personal references

A personal reference background check is a process of verifying the information provided by an individual about their references, typically as part of a job application or rental application. This can involve contacting the references and asking questions about the individual’s character, work ethic, skills, and other relevant qualities.

Personal references are typically people who know the individual well and can speak to their character and abilities. They might include former colleagues, supervisors, teachers, or friends.

To conduct a personal reference background check, ask the individual for their references’ names and contact information. You can then contact the references by phone or email to ask questions about the individual. It’s essential to be respectful of the references’ time and to follow up on any discrepancies or inconsistencies in the information provided.

Personal reference background checks can be an essential part of the decision-making process. They can provide insight into an individual’s character and personality traits that may need to be evident from other background checks.

Professional licenses and certifications

A professional licenses and certifications background check verifies an individual’s qualifications and credentials in a particular field or profession. This can involve checking whether the individual holds any professional licenses or certifications required to practice in their field and ensuring that these licenses or certificates are current and valid.

Organizations, such as professional societies, government agencies, or private certification bodies, can issue professional licenses and certifications. They may be required for certain types of work or to demonstrate expertise in a particular area.

To conduct a professional licenses and certifications background check, you can ask the individual for copies of their licenses and certifications and verify that they are valid through the issuing organization. You can also check for disciplinary actions or restrictions on the individual’s licenses or certifications. It’s essential to remember that the availability and requirements for professional licenses and certifications can vary by state or country.

Military service

A military service background check is a process of verifying an individual’s military service and discharge status. This can involve checking military records to confirm that the individual served and obtaining details about their service, such as their rank, duty assignments, and any awards or decorations they received.

Military service background checks are often done for employment or security clearance purposes. Employers may want to verify an applicant’s military service to assess their leadership skills, discipline, and ability to work as part of a team.

To conduct a military service background check, you can request a copy of the individual’s military personnel records, also known as a DD Form 214. This form provides a summary of the individual’s military service, including their dates of service, duty stations, and discharge status. You can request a copy of the DD Form 214 from the National Archives and Records Administration or the individual’s branch of service.

Drug test results

A drug test analyzes a sample of an individual’s biological material, such as urine, blood, or hair, to determine if they have been using drugs. Drug tests are often done for employment, legal, or medical purposes, as drugs can impair an individual’s judgment, coordination, and ability to perform specific tasks safely.

Employers may require drug tests as part of a pre-employment background check to ensure that their employees are not under the influence of drugs while on the job. Drug tests may also be required for certain types of employment, such as jobs in transportation, aviation, or public safety, where drug use could pose a safety risk.

To conduct a drug test, a sample of the individual’s biological material is collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will test the sample for the presence of drugs or their metabolic byproducts, and background investigators will report the test results to the requesting party. There are various types of drug tests available, and the specific test used can depend on the purpose of the test and the substances being tested for.

Social media profiles

A social media background check reviews an individual’s online presence and activity on social media platforms to gather information about their character, interests, and reputation. This can include looking at their profile information, posts, photos, and interactions with other users.

Social media background checks are often done for personal or professional reasons, such as to get to know someone better, verify their identity, assess their trustworthiness, or protect their safety. You can also use them to gather information for making informed decisions, such as hiring someone or entering into a business partnership. It’s essential to remember that not all information on the internet is accurate or up-to-date, so it’s vital to verify any information you find through multiple sources. It’s also important to respect an individual’s privacy and to follow all relevant laws and regulations when conducting a social media background check.

It’s important to note that the types of records and information that background investigators can check during a background investigation are often regulated by law. In some cases, certain types of information may be off-limits or subject to certain restrictions. There are several privacy considerations to keep in mind when conducting background checks.

It is crucial to ensure that you have the legal authority to conduct a background check on an individual. In many cases, this will require obtaining the individual’s consent as a signed release.

It is also essential to be mindful of the types of information you are collecting and to only gather information relevant to the purpose of the background check.

For example, suppose you are conducting a background check for employment purposes. In that case, you may want to collect information about an individual’s employment history, education, and criminal record. Still, collecting sensitive or personal information such as their medical history or financial information would not be appropriate.

Finally, ensuring that any information collected through background investigation companies is kept secure and only shared with those who have a legitimate need to know is vital. This may involve implementing safeguards such as password protection and encryption and limiting access to only those authorized to view the information.

How do private investigators verify employment history?

There used to be a great index that the United States government kept that we could buy, called the employment index. That was great up until COVID-19 hit in March 2020, and they had a lot of people obviously dying without social security numbers. A lot of people are changing their employment, and a lot of people are getting 1099s and W2s all over the board. And so that index has pretty much gone down in accuracy to where it used to be about 95% we’re seeing now it’s more 40 to 50%. So the best way now that we verify employment is to actually do surveillance on the subject and follow him away on a Monday or Tuesday morning, and hopefully, he’s not working from home, and he goes to a business. And that’s generally how we discover employment history.

What specific types of information can be uncovered in a background check?

Well, our agency is very transparent in that we send out an email on everything we do, saying what we’re going to do, how long it will take, and what it will cost. Our background checks cover about 30 different indexes. The highlights would be civil records—have they sued or been sued? Criminal records—felonies and misdemeanors. Then there’s a very important index, little known, even in our industry, called the United States Consumer Public Filing Index. It’s a great snapshot of the person’s finances: bankruptcies, notices of defaults, judgments, tax liens, problems with the IRS. One of our most common requests is property records—do they own property? We do a United States property search in all 50 states. Then we also can get into corporations, limited partnerships, UCC filings, DBAs, and the list goes on. So, the five companies that do this all have the same information, and we all charge about the same.

Hire a PI to Do a Social Media Background Investigation

Digital avatars and double lives –that’s the norm today. You never really know who a person is until you have compared and fact checked their real vs digital lives on social media. It may be wise to do a quick social media background check of someone before hiring them, doing a business deal with them, or dating them.  So the process involves sifting through posts, identifying aliases and second or third accounts, and mining all the pertinent data hidden there. By the end of the search, a PI will give you evidence and records of who the person is, who they have been, and who they have been with professionally and socially.

Socials Media

Social media platforms offer a massive trove of information that helps private investigators conduct background checks. The agents scour public social media accounts including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to analyze posts, comments, and other activities. 

The agents utilize a variety of social media investigation tools to streamline these tasks. This way they can be able to glean useful background information and review a subject’s online conduct and character.

Reference Checks

For pre-employment screening purposes, a private detective can conduct interviews with individuals who know the subject. This may include past employers, colleagues, teachers, friends, and family members. The investigator can verify references and may discuss things like performance, past work conduct, and accomplishments. 

What Information Can a Private Investigator Obtain?

Private detectives can use their expertise and resources to collect different types of background information on a subject. The data and means used to acquire it must not infringe on a subject’s privacy and constitutional rights. A background inquiry can uncover any of the following information:

• Criminal records – Criminal convictions, non-expunged criminal cases, traffic offenses (DUI, speeding tickets).
• Civil case histories.
• Employment history – Written or verbal confirmations of former employment.
• Social Security status - Employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) data.
• Educational records – Certifications, transcripts, course schedules, memberships to professional bodies.
• Reference checks – Known associates, former employers, relatives, and friends
• Contact information – Full names, phone numbers, social security numbers, email addresses.
• Public social media handles, posts, and comments
• Financial records – Credit reports, sources of income, bankruptcy/solvency filings, asset declarations, tax and bank records.

Note that investigators must obtain the above information through legal and ethical frameworks depending on local and state laws. Failure to do so can attract costly litigation.

Private Investigator Background Check Cost

One of the questions you may have when considering hiring a private investigator is: how much does a background check cost? There is no standard cost for these services. Background checks have different aspects that determine the final report. A background inquiry can cost anywhere from a few tens of dollars to several hundred dollars.

Most agents charge a flat fee for background investigations. However, some may charge by the hour similar to attorneys. What a private detective will charge you will depend on several factors. 

These factors may include the location(jurisdiction), the depth of information you want, the intentions of the search, and prominency of the subject. The more involved the check is in terms of time and resources, the more it is going to cost.

Conclusion:

Overall, hiring a private investigator to conduct a background check can be invaluable where thoroughness, legal compliance, and discretion are important. These inquiry agents offer professional expertise and experience and have access to exclusive resources. 

Private detectives are also knowledgeable on the legal parameters of background investigations to help avoid legal liabilities. These services are a viable solution if you seek comprehensive and reliable background information on an individual.