Learn About Background Check Information Guide

What Background Checks Are and Why They Matter

A background check is a process where organizations look into your past to learn about your history. These checks can include information about where you've lived, your work history, criminal records, credit history, driving records, and education. Different organizations use background checks for different reasons, and the information they look for varies based on what they need.

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Background checks have become common in many areas of life. Employers often run them before hiring someone. Landlords may use them when deciding whether to rent an apartment to you. Schools sometimes conduct them for staff positions. Financial institutions might review them before offering loans or credit cards. Even some volunteer organizations perform background checks before allowing people to work with children or vulnerable populations.

Understanding what a background check contains and how it works can help you know what to expect when an organization requests one. According to the Federal Trade Commission, millions of background checks are conducted each year in the United States. This means there's a good chance you'll encounter one at some point in your life, whether for employment, housing, or other purposes.

The importance of knowing about background checks goes beyond just understanding the process. When you understand what information might appear on a check, you can review your own records for accuracy. You can also prepare for conversations with potential employers or landlords who may ask questions about your history. This knowledge helps you feel more confident when these requests come up.

Practical takeaway: Before any background check happens, think about what information an organization might find about you and consider whether there are any inaccuracies you should address beforehand.

Types of Background Checks and What They Include

Different types of background checks exist, and each one focuses on different information. An employment background check typically includes verification of your previous jobs, education claims, and criminal history. A rental background check usually looks at your rental history, credit score, and criminal records. Financial background checks might examine your credit report and payment history. Understanding the differences helps you know what to expect in various situations.

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Criminal background checks are among the most common. These checks search databases to find whether someone has been arrested, convicted, or charged with crimes. They can include misdemeanor convictions (less serious crimes) and felony convictions (more serious crimes). The information available in criminal checks varies by state and by how far back the search goes. Some employers only look at convictions from the past seven years, while others may go back further or have no time limit.

Credit background checks examine your credit history and score. These checks show whether you pay bills on time, how much debt you owe, and how responsibly you manage credit. Lenders and landlords frequently use credit checks because payment history can indicate whether someone is likely to repay loans or rent on time. Your credit report contains information about credit accounts, payment history, and sometimes public records like bankruptcies or liens.

Employment verification checks confirm that you actually worked at the jobs you claim on your resume or application. Employers contact previous employers to verify job titles, dates of employment, and sometimes reasons for leaving. Educational verification confirms whether you attended and graduated from the schools you mentioned. Some background checks also include reference checks, where organizations contact people you've listed as references to ask about your work performance and character.

Driving records are another type of check, commonly used by employers hiring drivers or positions requiring a valid license. These records show traffic violations, accidents, license suspensions, and moving violations. Social media screening has become more common too, though this varies widely in how it's conducted and what information is reviewed.

Practical takeaway: When an organization requests a background check, ask them specifically what type of check they're running so you understand what information they're reviewing.

Who Can Access Your Background Information and Legal Protections

Background check information is not freely available to anyone who asks. Federal and state laws control who can access your personal information and under what circumstances. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the primary federal law governing background checks in the United States. This law sets rules about what information can be included, how it must be handled, and what rights you have.

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Under the FCRA, organizations cannot run a background check on you without your knowledge and permission. They must get your written consent before conducting most types of background checks. The only major exception is for employer checks in certain circumstances, but even then, you must be informed. This protection means you should know when someone is checking your background and generally what they're checking for.

The FCRA also gives you the right to know what information is on your background check report. If an organization uses information from a background check to make a decision about you—such as not hiring you or not renting to you—they must tell you this happened. They must provide you with contact information for the background check company so you can reach out with questions. This is called an "adverse action notice."

You have the right to dispute information you believe is wrong on your background check report. If you find inaccurate information, you can contact the background check company and ask them to investigate and correct it. The company must investigate within 30 days and contact you with results. If they find an error, they must correct it and send you a corrected report.

State laws provide additional protections in some cases. Some states have "ban the box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history—often requiring that they wait until later in the hiring process or not ask at all if the crime isn't job-related. Some states restrict how far back employers can look at criminal records. For example, some states say employers cannot consider misdemeanors after seven years or felonies after certain periods.

Certain types of information cannot appear on background checks, even if it's technically available. Information about arrests that didn't result in convictions generally cannot be reported after a certain time period, which varies by state. Medical information, genetic information, and some other sensitive data are protected from being included in background checks used for employment decisions.

Practical takeaway: Keep records of organizations that run background checks on you and monitor your actual background check reports through the companies that prepare them to catch any errors early.

How Background Checks Are Conducted and Information Sources

Background checks today are conducted through a combination of database searches, public records review, and direct verification with previous employers or institutions. Most background checks start with database searches. Companies that specialize in background checks maintain large databases that pull information from multiple sources. These databases compile criminal records, court records, financial information, and other data that's available to the public.

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Criminal records come from county courthouses, state corrections departments, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Different jurisdictions maintain different records, and background check companies search multiple systems to try to find complete information. This is why someone's criminal history can be incomplete if they've lived in multiple states—the background check company may not search every jurisdiction where they've lived.

Credit information comes from credit reporting agencies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These agencies maintain credit files on most adult Americans. They collect information from banks, credit card companies, loan providers, and creditors about how people manage their debts. When a background check includes credit information, it typically comes from one of these three major agencies.

Employment and education verification often involves direct contact. The background check company may call previous employers listed on your resume to confirm you worked there, what position you held, and when you worked there. Similarly, they may contact schools to verify that you attended and graduated. Some employers provide this information through employment verification services, which makes the process faster and easier.

Public records include information filed with government agencies. Property records show what real estate you own. Court records include lawsuits, judgments, and other legal matters. Bankruptcy filings are public records. Sex offender registries are public records. Driving records are maintained by state departments of motor vehicles and are considered public records, though there are some restrictions on access. Eviction records, which are public in most states, show whether you've been evicted from rental properties.

Social media screening, when conducted, involves reviewing publicly available information you've posted on social media platforms. Some background check companies will look at Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms to see what information you've made public. This practice is less regulated than other types of background checks and standards vary widely.

Practical takeaway: Recognize that background information comes from multiple sources, which means some information might be missing or inaccurate—this is why checking your own records is important.

Common Issues and Inaccuracies Found on Background Checks