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Private Investigator Background Check

If you're considering getting a private investigator background check on someone you will want to know the ins and outs of what to expect. You will want to ensure you get an accurate background report and not just some information gleaned from a social media profile. If you pay for a cheap service, you will get what you've paid for; a few details that you probably already knew or could find yourself.

We're going to reveal what a background check actually is, what information you can expect to receive in a private investigator's background check service, the costs and different types of searches performed. Also, we will go over the difference between a private investigator background check versus an online company's background search and what the limitations and legalities are.

What Is a Private Investigator Background Check?

A background check (also known as background screening), in simple terms, is to check the identity and credentials of someone. A background check's purpose is to prove or disprove the accuracy and truth of who someone is, what they are telling you, what they have done and what they get up to. It's very easy today for someone to hide or mask their true identity and their true intentions. We live in an age where even neighbors are strangers, despite having lived next to each other for years. It is the background investigator's job to unearth the fakery.

Depending on the situation or reason for checking someone out, will determine the thoroughness and how detailed the background investigation should be. In some instances, it may not be necessary for a private investigator background check, if for what you want one for is not that sensitive or serious. A simple online check may suffice. However, if you have a fortune and want to protect your family, assets, business, public reputation, etc. then a fully trained background check investigator will be necessary to dig down deep.

Private Investigator Versus Online Company Background Check

Important note: online background checking companies generally only use databases to search someone's background whereas a private investigator can be asked to do personal visits if required. The old saying, "Actions Speak Louder Than Words", is important to point out here. A private investigator is trained in surveillance techniques that can be used for a real-time boots-on-the-ground check of an individual and what they get up to.

What Information Shows Up in a PI Background Check?

A background check private investigator will utilise many sources and resources to build a complete profile of a "person of interest" or "subject of inquiry". Information provided in a background screening investigation encompass the following areas:

Verification of the identity of an individual
Personal and character references
Checking current employment and employment history
Employment reference checks
Verifying the accuracy of educational qualifications
Special licenses
Arrest / criminal / court records
Sex offender checks
Military records
Medical checks
Drug and alcohol testing
Financial status / credit reports
Property/asset ownership

Also, depending on the type of background check, a private investigator can conduct surveillance on an individual over a period of time. This can establish a "snap-shot" of conduct - useful in seeing how someone reacts to everyday situations and life. Are they helpful? Are they friendly? Or are they not.

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Types of Private Investigator Background Check Services

Private investigator background screening services are done for a variety of reasons and for a variety of individuals and organizations. But before going into the different types of background services and the reasons for using them, it's good to know that there are two approaches when checking someone out. These approaches are Overt and Covert background investigations. What's the difference?

Overt: Overt (out in the open, not hidden) background screening will be carried out with the FULL knowledge of the person the check is being done upon. The subject will usually have signed a consent form, giving authority to ask for and obtain personal information about them. This approach is generally conducted for screening pre-employment applications or employees.

Covert: Covert (hidden, not revealed) checks will be done by a background check investigator without the knowledge of the subject. This is a clandestine background investigation done usually for pre-nuptial, online dating, potential business partnerships, or situations you wouldn't want the person to know.

Depending on the circumstances will determine the approach to be taken. But bear in mind, if the subject is aware of impending checks on them and if they have criminal intent, the likelihood is they will either strike first or, with a bit of luck, promptly leave the scene.

These are some of the different types of background checks done by private investigators:

Personal background checks

This service is for checking out who someone is that one is about to associate with on a personal level. Examples of this type of personal background screening is for pre-dating or dating - finding out more about an online date, or, a pre-nuptial background check where significant finances, property and assets are at stake. An individual background check on a potential spouse could save thousands later on. This type of check can be done with the person's knowledge or not.

Employment / employee background check

This, as it states, is a background check for employment conditions; checking the details, qualifications, past employment history and records of potential employees. Pre-employment background checks are an integral part of the hiring process in companies, particularly those that deal in highly sensitive work and information.

Employee background screening services by private investigators are usually done with the full consent of the applicant and before any contracts of employment are signed. Potential candidates for high-powered positions go through the process of having their full work history, education and qualifications scrutinized in case they fraudulently acquire a position with pay they are not qualified for. Likewise, in the lower ranks of the workforce, background screening and employment history background checks go to ensuring a company gets quality staff.

Company background checks

A private investigator company background search service confirms a business is what it is and not just a front held up by clever lies. This type of check - done on the company itself and not an individual - is beneficial when takeovers, buyouts, or mergers are seriously being considered. The company's assets, records and materials are scrutinized for their veracity, to ensure the buyer or investor is not being deceived by a con-artist or fraudsters fluffing up a failing business.

Apart from inspecting the actual company records, the investigator will also focus on the owners and directors of the company. For this type of background check the private investigator will usually have the added skill in forensic accounting or business accounting to make sure the numbers add up.

Nanny background check

If you are in a position of having to employ a nanny or au-pair to help look after children, it will be most advisable to get a nanny background check. There are companies that specialize in hiring out nannies, au-pairs and home helpers and as a matter of course perform their own background checks.

However, it is important to know that when you hire a private investigator - who will conduct the usual checks - that you can also ask them to install a hidden spy camera, or nanny cam as they are known. This camera will record the nanny with your child, giving you first-hand knowledge of how they treat your child when you are away.

Tenant background checks

Being a landlord, you are trusting your property in the hands of total strangers. Using the services of a private investigator to do a background check on a potential tenant can give you a feeling of security. Nothing is worse than a tenant doing a disappearing act with rent owed, or gutting the property, selling the fixtures and fittings, or even using the property as a brothel. A renter background check should be done before any lease agreement is signed and most definitely before any keys are handed over.

How Much Does A Private Investigator Background Check Cost?

The cost of background checks by private investigators vary widely. There are different pricing factors involved when considering what type of report you need and where to get one. Generally speaking though, using a professional private investigator to conduct a basic background check can cost an average of $300 per application.

Online Database Reports: a simple database background report can cost you anywhere from $50-$200.
Deep Background Investigation: a deep background investigation can cost anywhere upwards of $1200.

Some things to consider when looking at the costs of private investigator background screening services are:

What does the background check consist of - how detailed is the check and what information is searched for.
What online sources or databases will be used - what are the sources where the information will be searched.
Are the databases up-to-date and the information current - what is the frequency of updates or to what extent is the information up-to-date.
Is it just an online check or are there physical checks/visits carried out as well - PI companies can do both online database checks, including email contacting and phone calls, as well as physical boots-on-the-ground checks for deeper investigations.
Where is the company located - location of the investigation company performing the background investigation usually determines how much you will pay, particularly if the background service requires physical location checks.
What background check pricing options are there - the investigation company may offer various tiers of background screening services at different prices.
Level of importance - what is the purpose of the check and how important is it to get the maximum amount of the most current information possible.

The last point comes down to you and what you are willing to pay for a quality background check service. The price for an online search company versus a private investigator's costs for a background check can vary significantly: an investigator's being more expensive if conducting physical checks an online company won't.

Should You Do Your Own Background Checks?

Doing your own background check is a risky game. It's not just a case of checking out someone's social media accounts; there's so much more. You could do your own private checks - in part - but in many countries and States it is a legal requirement to possess certain licenses, such as a consumer credit license or a PI license, to perform credit checks and other related background activities.

There are laws to follow; by state and by country. A Texas private investigator may have different state background checking laws to adhere to than a private investigator in Massachusetts. There are data protection laws that need to be followed when obtaining, collecting, storing and passing on personally identifiable information.

A background check investigator will usually be aware of the laws governing this type of work. This ensures they conduct their background investigations legally and stay on the right side of the law.

Another point is that private investigators subscribe to quality data service providers; used to conduct database background checks. They provide more accurate information than a general search engine can and these database subscriptions are not cheap.

I Want a Private Investigator Background Check: What Now?

If you are a business, particularly high risk, then consider as part of your hiring process some kind of background screening service. If you are an individual then consider it an option, particularly if a parent leaving your child with a babysitter or nanny. If you are a rentals property owner with tenants then, as a renting business, it would be advisable to integrate background checks for future tenants.

Not all private investigators offer background check services so you will have to ask at the beginning stages, before hiring them. If you want to hire a private investigator to perform background checks for you, search our directory for an investigator.