Background Investigation

Why Conduct Background Checks

Regardless of the size of your business, pre-employment screening is a necessary hiring practice to avoid lawsuits and costly hiring mistakes. Pre-employment checks include psychological testing, background checks and drug testing to determine the background and identity of the person you are hiring. Over 96% of all employers utilize background checks.

Laws You Should Be Familiar With

Prior to beginning a background check, it's important that your small business complies with governing laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Employee Polygraph Test Protection Act and the American With Disabilities Act. Consult with local regulators and legal counsel before going too deep into the criminal past of a new hire.

Employee Polygraph Test Protection Act

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Under the FCRA, your small business is required to have employees sign a disclosure form granting authorization to perform a background check. The FCRA is not just restricted to credit reports but includes all “consumer reports." Laws will vary from state to state in how and what information can be used during the pre-employment screening process. For instance, your state laws may prohibit using certain aspects of a criminal record during a background check.

The American With Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines a disability as a person who:

The ADA covers businesses with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. Under ADA, employers are restricted in using medical or disability data in the hiring process. Simply put, you cannot ask during the interview or background check about a person's disabilities

The following are considered to be disabilities:

- has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities

- has a record of such an impairment

- or is regarded as having such an impairment

What Can you See In A Background Check

Background checks can access a full range of data including:

- credit records

- academic records

- social security number

- personal references

- driving records

- criminal records

- workers’ compensation

- Certification & License

- Education records

- Past illegal drug use

- Employment history

Who Provides This Service

Background investigation is usually performed through a third party investigative service. The following organizations provide Pre-employment background check services:

Organization	Description	Cost
Employment Screen Resources (ESR)	ESR provides identity and credit verification, background investigations which includes criminal records, driving records, civil records and also drug testing.
Intelius	Provides background checks that verify criminal records to credit history. Reports are generated instantly online.	$49.95
Public Records Now	Provides background checks that verify criminal history to employment history.	Starts at $27.95
USIS	Conducts government background checks for pre-employment screening.	not published
How To Investigate	Conducts different levels of background checks.	Starts at $95
Alpha Background Investigations, LLC	Conducts a range of background checks, from education verification to certification verification.	not published
D-Tech Investigative Group	Conducts a variety of background checks.	Starts at $39
Sentry Link	Conducts background checks that range from driver’s license to criminal record.	Starts at $19.95
USA People Search	Conducts comprehensive criminal background checks.	not published
Integra Scan	Conducts extensive background checks that ranges from State criminal convictions to marriage and divorce records.	not published
Check Past	Conducts background checks that range from Social Security verification to credit report.	Starts at $4.95
Your Own Private Eye	Conducts background checks that range from criminal records to the use of aliases.	Starts at $125
ABSO	Provides a host of background checks services.	not published
KROLL	Provides background checks, drug testing and physical exam.	not published
Intelli Corp.	Provides a range of background checks, drug testing, etc.	not published
Info Cubic	Offers a range of background checks from criminal record to education verification. Price is based on the type of information required.	Starts at $20
US Search	Offers different levels of background checks.	Starts at $39.95
ADC, Ltd.	Provide Pre-employment and ongoing security verification. Services range from Criminal background checks to drug screening.	not published
Detective Magic	An online service that you subscribe to and run background checks on potential employees.	Starts at $6.95 per month
Police Record Finder	Subscribe to an online service to allows you to conduct background checks on potential employees.	$29.95 per year
Instant Background Report	Provide instant reports. Allow you to download and view reports. Conduct checks from Bankruptcy to criminal records.	not published
Free Records Registry	Conducts background investigations from Social Security Number verification to employment history.	$29.95 per year
Brick House Security	Provides different levels of background checks.	Starts at $49.95
US Info Registry	Provides background checks that range from Identity verification, police records to birth records.	not available
Government Public Records Database	Provides online searches of database and generates instant reports.	Starts at $29.95
Certified Background Services, Inc.	Subscribe to an online service to allow you to conduct background checks on potential employees.	Starts at $10 per search
People Search	Subscribe to an online service to allow you to conduct background checks on potential employees.	Starts at $11.95
Intelligent Investigations	Conducts basic and comprehensive background checks.	Starts at $14.95
Verdict Resources	Provides pre-employment background checks. Provides information that range from fraud to criminal conviction.	not available
Abika	Generates online reports that provide background information that ranges from citizenship verification to credit report. Price varies depending on what type of information you want.	Starts at $29.95
Access Checks	Provides background checks that range from Social Security Number verification to criminal record.	Starts at $20
AccuReport	Provides background checks that range from criminal record to education background verification. Cost varies depending on what type of information you want.	Starts at $2.50
Corra Group	Provides pre-employment background checks that ranges from Social Security Number to criminal record. Provides different level of reporting.	Starts at $25.00
Employee Screen	Provides pre-employment checks that range from substance abuse to professional license and certification verification.	not published
Case Breakers	Provides online access to database from which employers can conduct searches and generate reports that provide information potential employees.	not published
Employers Choice Online	Provides a host of pre-employment checks that range from criminal record to driver’s license verification.	not published
HR Plus	Provides background checks that range from employment verification to education verification. Also, provides drug testing.	not published
TR Information Services	Provides background checks that range from criminal record to education verification.	Starts at $14.95