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Background Checks: Can You DIY?
A personal background check can alert you to crucial information an employer might discover.
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You aced the job interview and are confident an offer letter is coming. However, the hiring process isn’t quite over. The employer will likely run a background check, and what it reveals may derail your hopes. For example, application inconsistencies and resume discrepancies — even for something as minor as employment dates — are red flags that can disqualify you from job candidacy. Even more significant issues — such as an arrest record you forgot about, a criminal conviction you chose to ignore or false court records about you online — could impact your desirability as a candidate.
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Running a background check on yourself may be a way to regain control and better understand how employers will perceive you. We’ll explain more about DIY background checks and how they can help you better prepare for job candidacy.
What appears in a background report
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.
“One of the prevailing myths is that background checks will only turn up criminal history,” Eric Kingsley, employment lawyer and firm partner at Kingsley Szamet Employment Lawyers, told us. “They also frequently check for credit history, employment history, education and even social networking activity.”
Background checks can include far more information than many people realize. 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
According to federal guidelines, comprehensive background checks may also include additional verification processes depending on the position and industry. For example, your employer may also conduct workers’ compensation history checks, health care sanction checks and drug tests.
Motor vehicle records (MVRs), identity verification traces and professional licensing checks are also commonly included in employment screenings. 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 personal background check
Individuals can run background checks on themselves. You 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,” said Daniel J. McBride, owner of American Eagle Investigations.
DIY vs. third-party services
Understanding the differences between DIY and professional background check services can help you choose the right approach for your needs.
DIY | Third-party service | |
|---|---|---|
Pros | Low cost, full control, learning experience | Convenience, aggregation of records, broader coverage, quick results |
Cons | Limited data, time-consuming, may miss key records | Higher cost, potential accuracy or outdated data issues, privacy concerns with sharing personal information |
Typical Cost | Free or minimal fees | $50-$150 |
Turnaround Time | Varies (hours to several days) | Minutes to a few days |
Sources Checked | Public records, state courts, SSA, credit bureaus, social media | Aggregated public/private sources, credit reports, watchlists, court records |
Do-it-yourself background checks
If you’d prefer to go the DIY route for your personal background check, take the following steps:
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Third-party 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 third-party typically provide more comprehensive aggregation of public records than individual DIY searches. They 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.
Legal rights: FCRA compliance, candidate protections and fair chance laws
Understanding your rights under various federal and state laws is crucial when dealing with background checks, whether you’re conducting one on yourself or being screened by an employer.
FCRA protections
The Fair Credit Reporting Act provides significant protections for job applicants and employees during the background check process. Under the FCRA, employers must:
- Provide written notice that they might use information from a consumer report for employment decisions
- Obtain written permission from the applicant or employee before running the check
- Certify compliance with all FCRA requirements to the reporting agency
If an employer decides not to hire you based on information in a background check, they are required to provide you with a copy of the report and notice of your rights under the FCRA. You have the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information, and consumer reporting agencies must investigate unless your dispute is frivolous.
Fair chance laws
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, which took full effect in October 2023, provides additional protections for job applicants with criminal records. This federal law prohibits agencies and contractors from requesting criminal history information before making a conditional offer of employment.
The Fair Chance Act is designed to help qualified workers with arrests or conviction records compete fairly for employment in federal agencies. The law includes exceptions for positions requiring security clearances, sensitive national security roles or federal law enforcement positions.
Applicants who believe they’ve been subjected to violations of the Fair Chance Act can file complaints within 30 days of the alleged violation.
What to do if errors appear in your background report
Discovering inaccurate information in your background check isn’t the end of the world. There are specific steps you can take to resolve these issues.
Disputing inaccurate information
Under federal law, you have the right to dispute information that’s inaccurate, outdated or not yours. If you find errors in your background check:
- Contact the background check company directly to dispute the inaccurate information. Describe the issue in detail and include copies of supporting documents.
- Generally, background check companies must investigate your dispute and provide results within 30 days (sometimes 45 days in certain cases).
- Follow up in writing if you initially contacted the company by phone, and provide as much detail as possible to prevent delays.
- If the company finds the disputed information is inaccurate or cannot be confirmed, they must delete or correct it.
Addressing legitimate negative information
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.
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)
- FamilyTreeNow.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
FAQs
Jennifer Dublino contributed to this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.
