The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has criticized the federal policy, which denies constitutional rights based on a criminal check only if the subject has been accused of a crime. In May 2002, allegedly improper post-hire checks conducted by Northwest Airlines were the subject of a civil lawsuit between Northwest and 10,000 of their mechanics. Officials say that Shannon, who was employed by the USPS from March 2021 to July 2023, stole incoming and outgoing checks while working as a mail processing clerk at a distribution center in Charlotte. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Reliable Data from Trusted Sources

With the right software for background check, HR teams can streamline the screening process, reduce hiring risks, and build a trustworthy workforce. The FTC is the government agency responsible for consumer protection and the elimination and prevention of anticompetitive business practices. The FTC enforces the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a law that aims to ensure fairness, accuracy, and the continued privacy of consumer information, by regulating access to credit reports, as well as the collection and disclosure of credit information.

For example, many states require background checks for caregiver positions that work with vulnerable populations, like children and seniors. School bus drivers are often subject to criminal history and motor vehicle record checks and rideshare drivers are typically required to undergo a background check before they can transport passengers. Healthcare roles also generally require robust background checks, including criminal background checks and professional license verification. Before looking into a candidate’s history, it’s important for organizations to first understand how to do a background check for employment. Employers typically must follow different regulations when conducting background checks, including federal, state, and local fair hiring laws.

VeriFirst is ideal for those in the rental and real estate industry since it offers tenant screening solutions for multifamily properties as well as for student housing. The company’s tenant screening service includes identity checks, criminal searches, tenant reliability screens (which show any past evictions), guarantor financial history checks, and rental history checks through its RentForecast™ service. Additionally, VeriFirst offers backend debt collection services through their sister company, BYL Collection Services. Something that sets the company apart from other background check providers is that it offers packaged and custom checks, with a versatile volume pricing model, so you only pay for what you need. GoodHire also allows consumers to purchase personal background checks, making it a great choice for prospective candidates as well.

Online and Mobile Account Management

Automate the recruitment process via a defined employee-initiated workflow while saving on human capital. Our SaaS-based applicant tracking system (ATS) empowers your organization to streamline the hiring and onboarding process. Create online job boards, have applicants apply online, upload their resume, create electronic consent forms, qualify applicants for tax credits, fulfill an EEOC questionnaire, and much more. Employers must be compliant with FCRA and EEOC “best practices” when conducting employee background checks, while ensuring they are not hiring high-risk applicants.

Get Faster Background Checks with GoodHire

Keep an eye on deadlines and recency requirements so you don’t end up needing to repeat the entire process unexpectedly. With organization, reliable shipping methods, and a willingness to follow official guidelines carefully, you’ll find that securing a background check from abroad is entirely manageable—and one more step toward your exciting international plans. Background checks look for different results and cover different lengths of time. Learn about the length of history that can be checked legally and used compliantly. From county criminal reports to employment I9 forms to drug screening and beyond – we are here to make your HR decisions stress free. Customers of Publicseek’s membership plan have the option of adding IDSafeGuard to their purchase.

• Its Android and iOS apps have a 3.6 and 4.6 rating in their respective app stores.
• Social Security mailed its first retired-worker benefit check in January 1940.
• “There’s a lot of states that limit what you can get online,” says former FBI security specialist R.
• These services can run from around $20 up to $60 or more for a monthly subscription.
• Its AI-powered identity checks catch fraud, and it works smoothly with hiring tools like Greenhouse, Workday, and Jobvite.

How to Speed Up the Background Check Process

• For example, drug testing laws have changed with the legalization of the medical and recreational use of marijuana.
• A July 2024 report from Social Security’s inspector general states that from fiscal years 2015 through 2022, the agency paid out almost $8.6 trillion in benefits, including $71.8 billion — or less than 1% — in improper payments.
• Background check timelines vary based on the complexity of an individual’s history and external factors.
• One of the benefits of using VeriFirst’s tenant screening services is the company’s VeriGuide Decision Assistant, which automatically approves or rejects an applicant based on requirements established by the consumer.
• If you’re wondering what to expect if a prospective employer runs a background check , you can obtain your own public records by contacting state and county courthouses in the jurisdictions where you’ve lived or may have records on file.
• Learn about the length of history that can be checked legally and used compliantly.
• Let the candidate know that they’re welcome to see their background check results, dispute any inaccurate information, and add comments in writing, or speak with you, to explain any alerts.

Employers use background checks to verify a candidate’s work history, experience, qualifications, and education, and to search for past criminal activity. Pre-employment background checks help employers make informed hiring decisions and can mitigate risk to the organization, its workforce, and customers. The cost of running a background check can vary widely depending on the depth of the information and the service provider. Basic checks that include identity background check verification and contact information can be relatively inexpensive, often ranging from $10 to $30.

But the employer cannot conduct background checks or use the information obtained in a manner that denies equal employment opportunity to anyone on a protected basis, by intent or by unlawful disparate impact. Intelius, similar to other background check services on this list, offers reverse phone lookup, reverse address lookup and other public records searches. It stands out for its affordable trial offer on some of its membership plans, perfect for people who’d like to do a quick search but don’t want to commit to a monthly subscription. For example, certain states provide public access to online criminal records, along with court, arrest, and inmate records.

Other specialty consumer reporting agencies may charge you a fee for your report. A. Yes, platforms like Deel and HireRight specialize in international background checks, making them ideal for global talent acquisition. Some charge per background check (starting around $30 per report), while others offer monthly or annual subscriptions for high-volume hiring. A. The best background check software for small businesses depends on affordability, ease of use, and compliance. Checkr and Certn are excellent options due to their automation and cost-effective pricing. Its wide international coverage and diverse screening options also make it a strong choice.

All three tiers include a criminal background check and TransUnion’s proprietary ResidentScore®. This score is based on a tenant’s payment history, inquiries and credit utilization, among other factors. (Note that SmartMove doesn’t specify how the score is calculated.) According to TransUnion, the ResidentScore helps them assess applicants with thin credit files and identifies factors that point to unfavorable rental outcomes such as evictions. As a major company, Berkshire Hathaway uses background checks to help select suitable job applicants. While some companies have policies limiting reference feedback to just employment dates and job titles, others allow former managers or colleagues to share more in-depth information. Employers often combine reference checks with employment verification to get a fuller picture of the candidate’s background.