Are There Any Free Background Check Services?
Yes, Better Future is free background-checking software that generates unique background checks for individuals wanting access to their valuable information for private use. The platform performs national criminal searches, global watchlist searches, and SSN traces, among others.
How to Perform a Free Background Check:
A step-by-step guide on how to perform a free background check.
Start by obtaining permission.
Obtain written permission from the potential candidate.
While the information you find online is publicly available, you should always obtain written consent before conducting a background check on a potential employee. This will ensure that you are legally compliant with the EEOC, and it prevents applicants from claiming that you invaded their privacy.
Do a Google search.
Use information from the candidates' resume to narrow down the search.
If you want to find out general information about a potential employee, Google is a good option to start with. Isolate your search terms by entering the candidate's name in quotation marks such as "John Doe."
Narrow down your results by including specific information obtained from a resume such as a home address, job title, college name, or former employer. The more specific your search, the more accurate your results will be.
Check social media networks.
Conduct a basic search on all major social networks.
A search on social media will yield information that has been strictly controlled and voluntarily shared by the user. The information may be falsified and should not be relied on when making an important decision regarding a person's character.
LinkedIn is the world's largest professional social networking site. The information available on LinkedIn includes a person's employment history, education, and contact info.
Facebook is the go-to platform for finding personal information. If the person's profile is set to public, you will be able to search for them by name, email address, or location. If their profile is set to private, you may not be able to find them in the search results.
Instagram is a good place to find photos of a person. You can use the search engine to type in the person's name. If their profile is public, you will be able to see any photos they have taken or photos they have been tagged in. If their profile is private, there isn't much information you get.
Twitter can be used to discover a person's interests and opinions. You can search by name username or tweet.
Check public records.
Check state records and national databases.
Search engines and social media sites will provide you with most of the information you will need. However, you probably will not find important information about arrests or evictions. The good news is that most court information is public record. To find this information, go to your state's official government website.
You can also find court information at the National Center for State Courts. You will need to search every state the person has lived in and go to the county or city level to find any felony or misdemeanor convictions.
You can find publicly available bankruptcy records and other information on PACER. Technically the service is not free. You will need to create an account, and PACER charges 10 cents per page for case information.
If you are looking for an easy way to find public records, NETR Online is a good option. The site serves as a portal to official state and county record databases.
Research the candidates' online presence.
Lookup a known web domain or IP address.
If the candidate has a professional website listed on their resume, or if you know their IP address, you can find out more about them. Bulk domain registration data is publicly available and easy to access online.
Whois Lookup provides a simple way to find out who owns a domain or IP address. You can also find out if they own any other domains. Keep in mind, some domain information is private.
Broaden your background check.
Check the National Sex Offender database.
The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website can be used to check whether someone is a registered sex offender. Simply type the person's first and last name into the search field. The site can also be used to find registered sex offenders in your area.
Free Background Check Compliance:
If you are an employer, you may gather or commission background information on potential employees. However, there are strict rules enforced by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) governing the procedures you must follow and the type of information you may access.
- You must notify the candidate in writing that a background check is being conducted which may impact their eligibility for employment.
- The candidate must provide written consent to the background check.
- The information you obtain must be related to the position you are wanting to fill.
- Additional rules apply for information obtained from consumer reports