How to Check Your Domain
Worried about what might come up the next time you apply for a job or rent an apartment? You may be interested in doing some background research on your track record and online identity.
“Background check” can have different meanings. Private background check companies offer online services that can help you find information and records about other people, including yourself, usually for a fee. Self-study can refer to research you do on your own. This may include searching for address histories, contact information, internet identities, criminal records and more.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to check your background.
Here’s what you need to know about background checks
Unless you are concerned about a claim or a specific past incident on your record, extensive self-examination of a paid service is unnecessary. But here are some reasons you might want to consider a background check:
To find out what employers can see
Job seekers who aren’t waiting for a background check from potential employers can get ahead of potential problems by doing a basic background check.
In the application process, employers may – at least – look you up on Google. Every job seeker should be aware of the results that appear under their names in search engines. (It might be time to delete the hot take on Facebook from 2012.)
Additionally, employment background checks can be complex and may involve employment histories, educational records searches, a criminal record check and a Social Security number trace (also called an SSN trace). In some industries, employees are subject to routine background checks every few years, so it’s not just applicants who have to go through them. Researching your background first, no matter what your situation, can give you peace of mind.
However: You may need to take some time to research the rules regarding employer background checks. Federal policy says employers can legally ask about your background and demand a background check – under certain conditions. Employers can’t ask for medical information until they offer you a role, and they generally shouldn’t ask for genetic information. They are also required to treat you the same as anyone else regardless of your race, gender, religion and other protected characteristics.
Privacy concerns
Are you worried about information such as your address, phone number, email, names of relatives and other information being available online for anyone to access?
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to maintain complete privacy due to the number of records available and the large distribution of certain data sets. But you can take steps to remove your information from popular data broker websites.
If you have a criminal record
Criminal records – including those with convictions – can appear in the job application process or during an employer’s screening of real estate applications.
For some job seekers, criminal records can be a barrier to employment, but there are resources to help people overcome the challenges associated with the job search process.
A background check that reveals a person’s criminal history can show a person what employers will see. Also, if you have been involved in civil cases and want to know what public records are available, that would be another reason to look into a background check.
You have been denied an application for an apartment
If you have been denied an apartment application, you may want to do some research to find out what the basis for the denial was. If a reason for denial is not given, it may simply be that your income or credit score is too low to qualify. Checking your credit report is a good first step here.
In some states, landlords can also deny applications based on criminal history, past bankruptcies or other potential incidents on a person’s record. Extensive background research may be required in these cases.
You have fraud issues
A background check is probably not your first priority when you find out that you have been a victim of identity theft. That being said, checking your credit report (and credit score) is important in case of financial fraud. It’s also an important step in self-assessment, as your credit reports can show if someone is using your identity or issuing accounts in your name.
Types of background check research you can do yourself
The main categories of background check research you can do yourself include credit checks, internet identity research and criminal record checks.
Do an online search
Any background check should include diving into your digital environment. To start, look them up on Google, and check other search engines like Bing, Yahoo and DuckDuckGo, too. In addition to your name, try searching for your usernames and email addresses to find additional links related to your identity.
You can then check your name on background check sites like AdvancedBackgroundChecks.com or CyberBackgroundChecks.com, which offer limited free functionality.
“People search” tools combine data from a variety of sources, allowing anyone to search for a name and pull up potential addresses, emails, phone numbers, relatives and more. You can (and should) run this same search for yourself. This step will show you what address history and contact information is available.
Some people search sites and background check tools that claim to include employment records, criminal records and traffic offenses – although these features may require a fee.
Here are some people search websites with free tools:
These are a few of the crowdsourcing sites out there. Frustrated with how many websites have your information? In some cases, you can request to be removed from the sites, but with so many different data vendors collecting data, it’s tricky. Google has resources if you are concerned about personal information in results.
If you’re applying for a job, or just want peace of mind, you can revisit all your old social media work.
Delete old content as you see fit. Even less obvious accounts like Venmo and Spotify can have public profiles that make your work available to others (former President Joe Biden had to learn that the hard way). You may want to change your privacy settings to avoid sticky situations.
Check your credit report
During this process, be sure to get a copy of your credit report by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You can request free weekly credit reports online from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These reports show individual credit accounts and balances.
Although credit reports don’t show credit scores, lenders and home owners will look at your report, so you want to arm yourself with the same information.
If you find any inaccuracies or objections, you will need to follow the appropriate procedures. It may also be wise to consider credit freezes, which help prevent bad actors from obtaining lines of credit using your name.
Check criminal records
Note: You can skip this step if you already know you have no criminal record.
Given that background checks often involve criminal record searches, it’s important that anyone with these records knows what red flags employers and landlords may be looking for.
There are other national criminal records search tools, but you can search for these records locally on court websites. A good first step would be to find out which court has your information and visit that court’s website for information on how to access their records.
Keep in mind that state laws vary in terms of what criminal records can be considered in a background check – and for how long. In some states, a seven-year statute prevents old criminal records from being reported. In some states, a case may continue to appear on background checks unless it is sealed or expunged.
Verify other records
Although not always required, in some cases a person may want to verify other records such as professional licenses, educational records or salary history as part of a background check. This type of research can include searching state licensing databases or requesting course transcripts from your university.
How to do a self-test FAQs
Can you do a background check yourself?
Yes, background checks are often done by employers, landlords and the like, but you can also do your own background check. This article is intended as a guide.
How do you fix background check errors?
Background check errors can be frustrating or intimidating if you feel like you’ve lost privacy or experienced fraud. During the self-examination, you may see some mistakes that you should refute. Usually, you’ll have to go straight to the source to fix them. In the event of a credit report error, for example, you will need to file a dispute with the credit bureaus.
Do I need to pay for a background check?
Probably not. There’s a lot you can do for free. But if you enjoy the convenience of a paid service, just make sure you find a quality background check company.
Summary of this background check guide
Doing a background check involves several steps: Checking your credit, searching for criminal records (if any) and checking your digital footprint. During the background check process, you can dispute inaccuracies, report fraud and clean up your online identity.
More from Mali:
8 Best Background Check Sites
What is a Background Check?
How Do You Know You Passed a Background Check?
