A background check is a review of a persons past and professional history. These checks are conducted in order to find information that could not otherwise be public. A background check may include information such as: bankruptcies, liens, judgements, criminal history or record, professional licenses, political affiliation, permits, address history, phone numbers, email addresses and of course names they have had or been associated with. Much of this information is found when private investigators are established with companies such as TLO, IDI, Delvepoint, LexisNexis, Tracers, etc. While many companies rely solely on automated databases, Privin Network goes deeper. A database might show where a person worked, but it won’t reveal their professional decision-making or if there were dangerous activities handled poorly on the job.
Our investigators conduct local resource checks and, when necessary, interviews to ensure an individual’s professional background is authentic and their reputation is intact. We look for ‘double personas’ -individuals who maintain a professional exterior but engage in high-risk or harassing behavior outside the office.
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Private persons or companies in many cases would require a background check for various reasons:
During the course of a background check, the information is verified by the investigator using various other tools and methods. Example: if you were to attempt to locate a person and verify phone number and address, a pretext call is often conducted to verify this information. Investigators may interview other people as well in order to properly confirm information found on a background check. Having as much information as possible, makes the background investigation much easier.
Name and date of birth if possible are always the go-to. This information although basic, is great in finding the person that you may be searching for. If the name and date of birth are common, this may pose the only challenge. Many of times we are able to pin point the information with a last known location. Some additional information that may be useful for a private investigator during a background check may be:
Have you decided to place your house on the market for renters? In many cases home owners or management companies like to look into a person’s history in order to see if they are fit to live at the residence. A background check or other services can provide insight on prior liens and judgements as well as criminal history in order gauge a tenant and their personal responsibility.
Are you looking to invest in a company or provide shares or ownership to another person? Investigators are great at looking into a person’s profile, and obtaining additional information on a subject’s day-to-day activities. A database run background check may not provide all the information a client may be searching for. Information such as social media and how a person carries themselves outside of professional interactions at the workplace or in their free time. Additionally, information found on the people they may interact with could impact your decision to proceed with either of the following.
A new employee’s interview went great, but do we know enough about them? A private detective may conduct a background check on a new hire to gather information on prior employment. Many employers want to see if you have retained employment, or jumped from employer to employer. In many cases, job hopping can be a tall tale sign of a new employee’s considerations for your company. Although something new may be found, it is always best if the background check investigator fact-checks his or her findings. Does the employee have financial problems? If so, will those issues collide with the duties they perform and will they be trustworthy?
Has the investigator confirmed education and past employers? Had an OSINT investigation been conducted to confirm any dealings with potential competitors in the same market? These are all crucial and may even aid an OPM investigator when conducting a background for a security clearance. This may align with conducting a new hire investigation, as you want to see if the person being investigated has had many short-term jobs, been fired, or their resume does not align with the facts found.
Have you lost a friend? Have you attempted to search for them or a loved one with no luck? Is a debt owed to you? A licensed private investigator may assist you in finding someone you wish to contact. In many cases the information that you have may just be enough. A person locate can be conducted with only the minimum requirements; name and date of birth. The information found may be insightful, showing you where they have made their mark, giving you an idea if you even wish to pursue them. Private investigators are key in finding lost persons, as the information found on the internet may not be beneficial, relevant or updated.
Contact us today to start your background check!
To begin, please fill out our consultation request form online to speak with one of our private investigators. Our in house agents will then tailor the investigation with action yielding objectives to reach your results.
A private investigator may field the inquiry prior to reaching out in order to understand the situation and prepare. Questions asked by the agent may be one or all of the following:
Once a case action plan has been identified, your assigned private detective will begin the investigation. An example of the investigative process may look like such:
Our team of highly trained professional investigators will obtain information on the specific person or object. Actions in accordance with legal guidelines, time tailored for your case, and proper reporting are all necessary for a private investigator to fulfill a proper investigation. Background Checks may require additional time outside the 4 hour minimum that PRIVIN has in place to conduct a professional investigation.
The investigator assigned to your Background Check case will provide you with a written report for you to review. Additionally, the report is reviewed by the client and investigator for accuracy. Any questions the client may have will be answered accordingly.
Being the professionals that we are, in the event that the client requests the assigned agent to appear in court, we are able to coordinate the evolution.
Confidentiality is paramount and therefore all communication between a client, and the assigned investigators will be kept Confidential.
The legality of background checks varies depending on location and purpose. Laws such as California’s ban-the-box legislation regulate when and how employers can inquire about an applicant’s criminal history. Generally, background checks conducted for employment or tenant screening purposes must comply with relevant laws and regulations. Landlords face similar local restrictions; some cities, such as Oakland and Berkeley, California, limit whether landlords can ask prospective tenants about arrest or conviction records, so it’s important to confirm the rules in your area before screening.
The cost of a background check can vary widely depending on the depth and scope of the investigation. Prices typically range from $10 to $500, with factors such as the number of components included and the level of detail influencing the cost.
With the appropriate information, it’s possible to request a background check on anyone. Whether for employment screening, tenant verification, or personal reasons, understanding the process and legal requirements is essential.
Criminal history information and most other information that background checks find is public record. If you want to run a name-based background check on a significant other, a neighbor, or someone else for purposes that are relevant exclusively to a personal relationship, you can do so without consent. It may be legal to conduct a background check on someone without their consent, particularly if the information sought is publicly available. However, it’s essential to understand the legal implications and ethical considerations involved.
While general background checks may encompass various aspects of an individual’s history, criminal background checks specifically focus on an individual’s criminal record, including arrests, convictions, and prison terms.
Not necessarily. Statistically, 1 in 3 U.S. adults have a criminal record. We often find that when a subject is upfront about their past, it builds more trust than a ‘clean’ record discovered through a hidden alias. Our reports provide the context you need to have an honest conversation about their history and future behavior.
Online ‘people search’ sites often use outdated or unverified data. A licensed investigator at Privin verifies the information through pretext calls, field interviews, and cross-referencing local, county, and federal databases. We provide a certified written report that can even be supported by expert testimony in court if required.
Beyond basic criminal history, a PI investigates driving records, financial background, character through references and reputation, education and childcare certifications, and online presence. This layered approach reveals red flags like inconsistencies in work history, concerning social media patterns, or unverified qualifications that surface-level checks often overlook.
Yes. PIs directly contact previous employers, educational institutions, and certification bodies to confirm work history, childcare training, and credentials. This is especially valuable when a nanny will be caring for a child with special needs or when claimed experience spans multiple countries or households that are harder to verify on your own.
If your nanny will be driving your children, their driving record matters as much as their criminal history. A PI can uncover DUIs, reckless driving, suspended licenses, or a pattern of accidents and tickets, which is critical information when deciding who will be behind the wheel with your kids.
A comprehensive rental background check covers three core components: a credit report and score, a criminal history check, and an eviction records search. Together these give landlords insight into an applicant’s financial stability, potential risk, and rental track record, helping predict whether a tenant will pay on time and honour the lease.
Yes. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), landlords must obtain written consent before screening an applicant. The simplest way to stay compliant is to build a written disclosure and signature into the rental application itself. Skipping this step can result in fines and other penalties.
Eviction records are held in court records, accessed through state or county websites or in person at the courthouse. An eviction search reveals an applicant’s rental history and any prior evictions, one of the strongest predictors of future tenant behaviour.
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