Many Free Web Sites Offer Data

DES MOINES, Iowa -- More people are doing their homework by conducting background checks before going on a date.

Before going out, one woman in her 20s recently went online to check out her potential date. Drake University students typically use FaceBook.com.

According to a recent statement on CNN, at least one in thirty-seven people in the United States have served time in prison. Chances are, you may run into at least one person who has served time. If you an employer, if you are curious about someone you are in a relationship with, or if you just need more information about someone, a criminal background check can put your mind at ease.

Simply relying on a person’s word is sadly not enough in today’s society. If you feel that someone is hiding something from you, this feeling can begin to eat at your confidence in this person, even if they are completely innocent. Instead of letting your thoughts run wild, or worse, falling prey to a dangerous individual, a criminal background check can be very beneficial.

Here are some warning signs that you may need to run a criminal background check on someone:

1. Refuses to reveal personal information, even after you have known them for a long time. While some people are just naturally private, if someone flatly refuses to tell you about their past, there may be some reason for concern. If this person is someone that you are dating, thinking about marrying, or hiring, this past information may be pivotal to your personal safety.

12/12/2005 10:39 PM

 originally on USA TODAY

By Donna Leinwand, 

A debate among online dating companies over whether their websites should be required to say whether they do criminal background checks on clients has spilled over into state legislatures, a reflection of the websites' rising competitiveness.

True.com, a Dallas-based online dating service, started the ruckus in July 2004 when it began touting its criminal background checks and wrote proposed legislation that would force online dating sites to say whether they conduct such checks. The proposal has been considered by legislatures in California, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Florida and Michigan, but none has passed it.

In Illinois, state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, says he is having a similar bill drafted that he intends to introduce in January. "It seems like a common-sense thing," he says. "Internet dating isn't the same as going out to a social gathering. You can meet a large number of people very quickly. There aren't any types of precautions. ... We have to do as much as we can to protect people from predators."

originally on HR magazine

HR Magazine,  March, 2001  by Charlotte Garvey

Third-party background checks can shield you from lawsuits, but they don't offer complete protection. Here are tips that can further limit your exposure.

You've heard the horror stories: A company rushes headlong to fill a position without conducting a background check. Later, calamity strikes and the company learns it hired a dangerous individual into a sensitive position.

To avoid workplace disasters involving theft, violence and fraud--and the legal repercussions they can bring--many HR professionals hire outside screening companies to help them discover any skeletons in the closets of potential employees.

While using a third party for such checks can provide practical and legal advantages, the legal protection afforded employers is far from complete. It is akin to having a shield that protects your head and torso, but leaves your legs exposed. As long as you recognize this--and act accordingly--the shield provides a benefit. But the moment you assume you are better protected than you actually are, you open yourself to the possibility of being lanced by a lawsuit.

originally on CNN Money

Like a body scan, employee screenings may reveal more than you expect and could cost you a job.

By Jeanne Sahadi, CNNMoney.com senior writer

July 19 2006: 11:46 AM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- To protect themselves from litigation, regulators and the risk of high turnover, companies are stepping up their screening of job candidates - and, in some cases, current employees.

A recent survey by staffing firm Spherion found that 79 percent of companies said they conduct background checks on some or all job candidates, 50 percent perform drug tests and 33 percent said they perform credit checks.

More than half of companies that use these screening methods also said they have increased their use of them since 2001.

Besides verifying the details on your resume, employers most commonly screen for criminal behavior, drug abuse, regulatory violations and -- of late -- inclusion on terrorist watch lists.

originally on CNN/Money

April 25, 2005: 1:49 PM EDT

A few states could soon help save the lovelorn from heartbreak. According to Monday's Los Angeles Times, a handful of state legislatures around the country are mulling legislation that would require online dating sites such as Match.com and Yahoo Personals to conduct background checks on all members, or prominently warn users that they do not.

Bills pending in Michigan, Florida, and Texas would generally order online dating services to uncover criminal felony convictions and post that information or bar the convicts from their sites, according to the newspaper. A similar bill introduced in California was pulled this year and an Ohio legislator plans to introduce one soon.

originally appeared on CNN

Thursday, June 30, 2005; Posted: 2:39 p.m. EDT (18:39 GMT)

Not getting that dream job? It could be a stain on your record.

As companies face huge lawsuits for employees' criminal actions and strive to recruit and retain responsible employees, major changes are happening in hiring trends.

Now more than ever, background checks have become one of the most important features in the hiring process in firms of all sizes. Verifying your record before a potential employer does will give you a major advantage over other candidates.

In general, background checks cover an average of seven years (depending on the state); but a simple error could destroy your employment future.