What Does A Background Check Consist Of? - ScoutLogic

Most people relate background checks to criminal history, but it covers much more than that. What comes up in a background check can vary, depending on the service used and what information the checker is trying to find. While not every background check contains the same information, they have the potential to reveal all of the following:

Identity

The initial stage of most background checks consists of identity verification. The first thing an employer usually needs to know is that the candidate they are considering is who they say they are. You’ll get confirmation of their name and address, which can confirm information they shared on an application.

Social Security Verification

After identity verification, a background check may also consist of social security verification. Social security numbers verify whether someone is eligible to work in the United States. 

This step will either confirm that the number they shared with you was accurate or share the actual social security number if what they provided was incorrect. It will also share the person with that social security number’s address, another confirmation of their correct residence.

Past Residences

Though the first two components cover the person’s current address, they don’t reveal where they have lived in the past. If this information is pertinent to the report, it will include a timeline of the different recent places of residence.

It does this by pulling the mailing addresses they’ve used, which may include places like college apartments, parents’ homes, or their own apartments or homes. 

While this information may not be as valuable for an employment background check, it can be beneficial when vetting potential tenants, especially if they are from out of state. 

Criminal Record

One of the essential parts of a background check is the criminal history. This portion of the background check will reveal any past misdemeanor or felony convictions and may report any cases that are currently pending. In addition to convictions, the report will also show records of any incarceration. 

For an employer, knowledge of the applicant’s criminal background is crucial. It’s especially pertinent for positions that involve finance or working with vulnerable populations such as children. The person’s criminal tendencies should not put your customers, employees, or company at risk.

The only criminal charges or records that will not appear on a background check are charges expunged from their record. If someone was once convicted and then cleared of the charges without getting it expunged, it will still likely show up on a background check.

International Criminal Record

Beyond learning about someone’s criminal past within the United States, some jobs need verification of their international criminal record. It can be crucial for applicants who are foreign nationals and companies with a global workforce. The international criminal history dives into any records or charges they may hold abroad.

Sex Offender Registry

All U.S. states are required to maintain sexual offender registries available to the public. If someone has a history of sexual offenses, this data will appear within a criminal background check. 

The information usually only reveals major charges, not minor ones. If their criminal history is significant, conducting a more thorough check may be of additional value.

Employment History

The employment history is one of the most critical elements for employers. While most people will share their employment history voluntarily, it can be challenging to prove that the information is correct without a full background check.

Candidates will often lie or fabricate things to look good on a resume, so the employment history check verifies the information they provided and reveals any inconsistencies.

While it’s possible to find out employment history manually by calling references for all of the past jobs they held, this is time-intensive and inefficient. The employment history verification does a clean sweep of all places they may have worked.

Credit History

Credit history may be part of certain background checks concerned with consumer or financial information. While this isn’t always essential for employment checks, it can provide credit card debt, car payments, mortgages, banking, and investing history.

Driving Records

Finally, driving records are necessary, especially when hiring for jobs that require operating a motor vehicle, like truck drivers, bus drivers, and machinery operators. A driving record check shows whether or not someone has a clean driving record, including any license suspensions, moving violations, major accidents, and any vehicle-related criminal charges. It will also reveal how many points someone has on their license.