How To Run a Background Check on Yourself

Why you should run a background check

There are quite a few reasons why you should do a background check on yourself, but the main reason is to know what to expect when someone else runs a check on you. If you’re moving into a new apartment, then a landlord or roommate will almost certainly run a check and a bad report can prevent you from finding accommodation. One of the most common times someone will check on you is when you’re applying for a new job. Indeed, 96% of U.S. employers run background checks on potential hires, and you don’t want an oversight on your report to be the reason you miss out on your dream job. If you’re prepared in advance for what your prospective employer knows about you, then you can be ready for any tricky questions.

What a background check will show

So, what is going to appear on your background check report? That ultimately depends on whether you’re doing the service yourself – when you’re liable to miss things – or which service you use. Of course, a report will have your entire financial history, including your credit score and history – something landlords will take a special interest in. Then you’ll have even more of your past on display like previous addresses, education history, job history, and your driving record.

However, a large portion of your background check will be about any potential criminal history. Understandably, your criminal record background check will be the most thorough part of your report. You can expect to find any arrest records, traffic tickets, court dates, outstanding warrants, and much more.

Perhaps the vital thing that background checks will find is any abnormal results. If you find you have a surprisingly low credit score, an unknown past address, or even a criminal record you never knew about, it’s a sure sign of identity theft, and you’ll need some protection to help you out.