Background Checks: Can You DIY?

Can you run a background check on yourself?

Yes, individuals can run background checks on themselves. People can use a paid service or conduct research via internet searches, social media reviews, public database searches and other tools.

“Anyone who is technologically savvy can learn a lot about themselves by searching public records online or electing to purchase a paid subscription or order with any of the online vendors,” Daniel J. McBride, owner of American Eagle Investigations, told business.com.

What is a personal background check, and what does it reveal?

A personal background check is a consumer-level background check that lets job seekers view general information about themselves online. Unlike the extensive informational and criminal background checks employers can access, personal background checks are often limited in what they reveal.

“There are two levels of background checks: those that require a special license that’s reserved for law enforcement and investigators, and those that any consumer can pay for,” explained McBride. “Unfortunately, a lot of the nitty-gritty details you think of when considering a background check are actually reserved for the more experienced system.”

Still, a personal background check can provide valuable information about how a potential employer might view you.

What to look for in a personal background check

When conducting a personal background check, you’re looking for information an employer is likely to discover when they research you. You may be well aware of some of this information, but some of it may come as a surprise.

Consider the following data and lists employers typically research and access:

• Social Security number (SSN)
• Relatives and known associates
• Criminal history
• Sex offender registry
• National criminal database records
• Domestic watch lists
• County criminal court history
• Education and employment history
• Professional licenses
• Credit reports
• Social media accounts

Depending on the industry, your employer may also conduct workers’ compensation history checks, health care sanction checks and drug tests.

In your background check, you’ll aim to research and access as much of this information as possible, albeit with fewer robust resources.

How to run a background check on yourself

If you want to run a personal background check on yourself, you have two primary options: hire a personal background check service or do it yourself via internet searches and public tools.

Personal background check services

While these services don’t provide the level of information an employer could access, they can still offer valuable data. If you’re willing to pay the fees, these services can be much quicker than searching for this information on your own. “[Consumer-level background check companies] are just large databases of publicly available information, but instead of having to search online to gather all those data points (addresses, associates, family, etc.), you can get it all in one place,” McBride noted.

These services will require your name, date of birth, residential address and SSN. Although results typically appear instantly, some background checks can take a few days. These background checks typically cost between $50 and $150 and include:

• SSN trace
• National criminal search
• Global watchlist search
• Sex offender registry search

Note that most background screening companies performing personal background checks are not considered consumer reporting agencies as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). That may increase your chances of receiving inaccurate results. The FCRA helps ensure accuracy, privacy and fairness in screening results.

Do-it-yourself background checks

If you’d prefer to go the DIY route for your personal background check, take the following steps:

1. Trace your SSN. Your SSN is perhaps your most fundamental piece of identifying information. It confirms you are who you say you are. While you can’t perform a professional SSN trace on yourself, creating an account with the Social Security Administration will allow you to verify your name and SSN are correctly tied to your identity. (You’d need a paid service for deeper SSN tracing, such as discovering other names and addresses associated with your SSN.)
2. Search court records for criminal history. Criminal record searches are a standard element of preemployment background checks, so it’s crucial to know what your history reveals. Search federal and county courts to find details on felony and misdemeanor charges and convictions, imprisonment history, and current criminal cases tied to your name. Records are typically stored for 7 to 10 years. Accessing these records may require visiting court websites, physically visiting courthouses or using paid services; fees may apply for certain searches.
3. Verify your professional and educational history. To avoid the cost of a bad hire, employers may conduct an employment verification and check a candidate’s educational history. You may think you’ve listed everything accurately, but, if you’ve made an error, it could be seen as a hiring red flag. You can verify your employment history data through the Equifax Work Number service, and you can verify your education history by requesting your official transcripts from the colleges you attended. If you have professional licenses or certifications, keep those license numbers handy.
4. Contact your references. Many job seekers mistakenly believe their job references won’t be contacted, leading them to list fake, outdated or unprepared sources. Avoid this error by curating a solid reference list. Reach out to every individual or company to ensure they’re still willing and able to speak positively on your behalf. Additionally, verify you have correct and current contact information. The last thing you want is for a potential employer to call a number that’s no longer in service.
5. Run a free credit report. Depending on your profession, a potential employer may run a credit check on you. A credit report is more than just your credit score — it’s a detailed view of your financial history. It includes information about open and closed accounts, on-time and late payments, accounts in collections, and other relevant credit activity. Individuals can run one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Reviewing your credit report in advance allows you to catch and address any potential issues before they affect your job prospects.
6. Check and clean up your social media profiles. Much of our lives are posted online, and many professionals use social media sites for personal branding. However, these accounts can reveal compromising and embarrassing information to potential employers, many of whom conduct social media screenings during the hiring process. Review all your social media profiles to ensure you project a professional image. Delete inactive profiles and remove content that could be deemed inappropriate or offensive (evidence of or reference to drug use, violence or bullying, offensive comments, racism,  inflammatory discussions about politics or religion, etc.). Depending on your profession, consider setting your current profiles to private to further secure your identity.
7. Perform an incognito internet search on yourself. Open a web browser in incognito mode and search for your name to see what a potential employer might find if they look you up online. If you have a common name, include additional identifying information they might access. If you use Google, search all categories (All, Images, Videos and News). You’ll gain a general overview of the information and profiles most commonly connected to your name.

What are common misconceptions about personal background checks?

When it comes to personal background checks, misinformation is common. We spoke with background check experts to identify — and dispel — some of the most frequent misconceptions.

Background checks only reveal criminal history.

Although prior criminal history is an important thing for employers to check for, it’s not the only piece of information they want to know. The background check they run on you will reveal much more than that.

“One of the prevailing myths is that background checks will only turn up criminal history,” said  Eric Kingsley, employment lawyer and firm partner at Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers. “They also frequently check for credit history, employment history, education and even social networking activity.”

Running a background check on yourself is the same as the one an employer sees.

An employer’s background check is often more extensive and may use different reporting services. Additionally, employers must comply with the FCRA, which requires your consent and provides protections you don’t necessarily have when checking your own records.

All background check services are the same.

While many services promise fast and affordable reports, they can vary widely in scope, accuracy and legality. Some use public records only, while others partner with FCRA-compliant reporting agencies. It’s important to choose a reputable provider if you’re using the results for anything beyond personal knowledge.

“For liability reasons, companies that post personal information and background histories will typically underreport an individual’s criminal record or other history of possibly disreputable behavior,” said Christopher Mahon, co-founder and managing partner of Integrity 1 Solutions. “If they post a crime on an individual’s background history that the person actually was never charged with, the company could be sued. So, they err on the side of caution and do not share information that they haven’t absolutely certified is true.”

Old or expunged records always (or never) show up.

This depends on the jurisdiction and the type of report. Some criminal records that are sealed or expunged may not appear on official background checks, especially those governed by the FCRA. However, less-regulated services that scrape public databases may still surface outdated or inaccurate information.

Mahon noted that it’s also not uncommon for individuals to believe past charges have been dropped, only to find them still publicly accessible.

“My private investigation agency deals with issues like this all the time: A client comes to us after using another agency and says they were told their criminal record was expunged,” he said. “Then we do a background check and find that, actually, their criminal charges are still in the public domain.”

You have no control over what your background check reveals.

Seeing something unfavorable or untrue in your background check report can be unsettling, but it’s not the end of the world. If something is inaccurate, there are steps you can take to resolve it.

“One myth is that you never have control over what comes back — when, really, people are entitled to correct info and can challenge a false report through the FCRA,” said Kingsley.

If the results were unfavorable but true, the next course of action is honesty. Don’t lie to employers with the hope that they won’t find out.

“If there’s something in your background that would cause concern, be prepared to discuss it candidly and show how you’ve learned from it,” said Kingsley. “And don’t forget your rights: If an employer decides not to hire you based on a background check, they are required to provide you with a copy of the report and notice of your rights under the FCRA.”

What are the benefits of running a background check on yourself?

Running a background check can help you gain a recruiter’s perspective and boost your chances of getting a job. Consider the following benefits of running a personal background check:

• Allows you to identify and resolve red flags: If you discovered or were reminded of unfavorable information — such as outdated records or inaccuracies — you can take steps to correct or explain them before potential employers have a chance to make a judgment call. As a bonus, you’ll show the employer you’re prepared and transparent, perhaps strengthening your candidacy. “It’s a proactive step to ensure that your public records, credit history and criminal record are accurate — especially since errors are not uncommon,” said Kingsley.
• Helps you correct employment history mistakes: According to ResumeLab, 70 percent of workers admit they’ve lied on a resume, with 37 percent saying they do so frequently. Whether intentional or accidental, inconsistencies surrounding employment history, education and other details can tank an otherwise promising job candidacy. If discovered, employers have no way of knowing if you’ve made an honest mistake or are trying to deliberately mislead them. Conducting a personal background check gives you a chance to verify employment dates, job titles, and other details, and present an accurate resume to a potential employer.
• Gives you time to dispute errors: Unfortunately, your background check may be riddled with flat-out mistakes and false information, such as outdated records, same-name confusion and misattributed data. By running a check on yourself before beginning a job search, you can identify and dispute errors and have them corrected or removed. Potential employers won’t see inaccurate information, and you can confidently apply for jobs knowing your background is clean.
• Can help you detect identity theft: Identity theft is an unfortunately common problem that can wreak havoc. If undetected, you may miss out on job opportunities and have no idea why. Running a background check on yourself can alert you to identify theft and allow you to start measures to rectify the situation. You can also alert potential employers that your identity was stolen, so you’re not held accountable for fraudulent activity in your name. “If you do find something that’s not accurate and you’re concerned [about] it, most of these sites have support channels in place for you to request updates or deletions,” advised McBride.

Resources to run your own background check

Consider the following resources (some free, some paid) when conducting a personal background check:

• Social Security Administration (verify your name and SSN are connected)
• Equifax Work Number (employment verification)
• com (get a free report about your family and potential associates)
• PeopleFinders (provides a broad overview of information)
• GoodHire (background check service)
• Instant Checkmate (public records searches)
• Intelius (public records searches)
• BeenVerified (contact information and records)
• National Association of Secretaries of State (can verify licenses and corporate public filings)
• The credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion)
• State and local court websites
• The Department of Motor Vehicles for your state
• USPS change-of-address records
• Online public records databases for your state

Personal background checks can help you with your job search

Navigating the world of job hunting can be arduous, and what employers learn about you significantly impacts your chances of landing a job.

A personal background check may not provide comprehensive results. But, it’s always a good idea to see what personal information about you is out there in the digital world — especially if you’re applying for jobs.

Jennifer Dublino contributed to this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.