How to Run a Background Check on Someone

Have you ever faced a situation when someone pretended to be someone they’re not? Or have you ever felt that someone might be lying to you and wanted to find out the truth? Or perhaps you’re just on a dating app and the person you’re talking to seems a little sketchy.

If your answer to at least one of these questions is yes, then you need to run a background check on the individual you have doubts about.

 

But what is a background check, and when can it be used? Is it legal? Are there instances when it’s better to stay away from it? Read on to learn more.

 

What is a Background Check?

 

A background check is the process of verifying that a person is who they claim to be. In even easier words, if you want to know what someone is up to, then you need to run a background check on them.

 

All you need is their full name. No need for other details like addresses, phone numbers, or anything else, just a name.

 

When Can It Be Used?

 

A background check can be implemented in various instances. Imagine that you’re talking to someone online. For obvious reasons, you want to find as much information about this person as possible. What if they are not who they say they are? What if they have criminal records? Are they lying about their age?

 

Other instances when you can and should run a background check on someone include:

 

1.     Verifying Unknown Callers

 

You don’t want to deal with the consequences of scam calls like identity theft or money loss. This is why you need to know who you’re talking to. Simply ask the caller their full name and perform a background check on them. If there’s something that you don’t like about the person, then it’s better to hang up and block the number.

 

If you’re facing a scammer, then they wouldn’t probably mention their real name. In such an instance, unfortunately, a background check won’t help. A reverse number search would be a more effective option in this case.

 

2.    Investigating Online Dates

 

Online dating is not as harmless as it seems to many. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2022 alone, about 70, 000 people became victims of romance scams, losing a staggering $1.3 billion. And, unfortunately, despite all the warnings on social media, dating apps, and news websites, the amount of victims doesn’t decrease.

 

To avoid becoming one, run a background check on your date. If there are any discrepancies in what they say, then it’s better to stop the communication with them. It especially concerns cases when they ask for financial help or ask you on a date in person.

 

3.    Learning Who Your Neighbors Are

 

Everybody wants to know who they live next to, and there’s barely anything as effective as a background check. If you know your neighbors’ full names, then you can find plenty of details about them, including those they might be hiding. As intrusive as it might seem, it’s natural to know who resides next to you, and your neighbors won’t even know anything.

 

Are There Instances When a Background Check Isn’t Allowed?

 

Yes, there are. If you employ people for your company, let’s say, and base your decisions based on online background checks, then you’re basically doing an illegal thing. The same goes for tenant screening, credit and insurance decisions, evaluating professional services, or determining scholarship or educational qualifications.

 

In general, a background check is only supposed to be used for personal purposes.

 

Is It Legal?

 

Yes, background checks are absolutely legal. The services that provide it usually collect data from public sources, and what can be found on public sources can be accessed by anyone. What these services do is gather all the information about a person in one place. And it only depends on you how you will implement this data.

 

How to Perform a Background Check on Someone

 

There are plenty of services you can use for this. Let’s take one and see how we can use it to find information about, for example, our online date. Again, all we need is a person’s full name. Here’s what to do:

 

  1. Go to Nuwber, a people search website;
  2. Enter the full name of the person;
  3. Click Search.
  4. Enjoy the results!

 

After this, you’ll find their:

 

  1. Date of birth and age;
  2. Contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses;
  3. Address history;
  4. Business and professional details;
  5. Relatives;
  6. Criminal records;
  7. Judgements;
  8. And much more.

 

Let’s Summarize

 

Now you know what a background check is, when it can and can’t be used, whether it’s legal, and how to perform it. In the digital age, it’s always good to know who you’re interacting with, even if a person seems nice. You never know. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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