Introduction To What Does A Background Check Show
What does a background check show? If you are concerned about what may appear on your background check, you can request a copy of your report from the company that conducted the check.
A background check can reveal a lot of information about a person, including criminal history, credit history, employment history, and more.
The information that is included in a background check depends on the specific report and what the company or individual ordering the report is looking for.
Generally, a company like sterling background check will include and show any public records that are available.
These records can include things like court records, driving records, and property records.
The report that background checks may show can be used for things like hiring decisions, tenant screening, and more.
7+ Important Things A Background Check Show
This overview list to what’s included in a background check talks more on criminal history, financial information and more. Here are 7+ reports that you can expect to see in a background check:
1. Criminal History Check
The specific criminal convictions that will show up on a background check will vary depending on the type of background check being performed and the laws of the jurisdiction where it is being conducted.
However, in general, criminal convictions that are considered to be “serious” are more likely to show up on a background check than minor convictions.
Some examples of serious criminal convictions that are likely to show up on a background check include:
- Felonies
- Violent crimes
- Sex crimes
- Crimes against children
- Crimes involving fraud or dishonesty
- Crimes involving drugs or alcohol
Minor criminal convictions, such as misdemeanors or traffic violations, may also show up on a background check, but this is less likely.
The amount of time that a conviction will show up on a background check also varies depending on the jurisdiction.
In some cases, convictions may be expunged from a person’s record after a certain period of time has passed.
It is important to note that employers are not allowed to discriminate against job applicants based on certain types of criminal convictions, such as convictions that are not related to the job the applicant is seeking.
Additionally, some jurisdictions have laws that restrict the types of criminal convictions that employers can consider when making hiring decisions.
If you have any concerns about whether or not a criminal conviction will show up on your background check, you should consult with an attorney.
2. Credit History Check
A background credit check is a process of reviewing a person’s credit history to assess their creditworthiness.
Lenders use credit checks to decide whether or not to approve a loan application and to set the terms of a loan, such as the interest rate and monthly payment.
The information that is included in a credit check will vary depending on the type of check being performed and the laws of the jurisdiction where it is being conducted.
However, some of the most common types of information that are included in credit checks include:
- Personal information: This may include the applicant’s name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address.
- Credit accounts: This may include a list of all current and past credit accounts, such as credit cards, loans, and mortgages.
- Payment history: This may include a record of how the applicant has paid their bills in the past, including whether they have made payments on time and in full.
- Credit utilization: This is the percentage of available credit that the applicant is currently using.
- Credit inquiries: This is a list of all recent hard credit inquiries, which are credit checks that have been performed by lenders.
In addition to this information, a background credit checks may also include other information, such as public records, such as bankruptcies and liens.
If you are concerned about what may appear on your credit check, you can request a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
3. Employment History Check
Some employers may choose to go back further than seven to ten years for certain positions, such as those that require a high level of security or trust.
Additionally, some states have laws that restrict how far back employment background checks can go.
How far back a background check will show employment history varies depending on the type of background check being performed and the laws of the jurisdiction where it is being conducted.
4. Education History Check
Whether or not a background check shows what degree you have depends on the type of background check being performed and the laws of the jurisdiction where it is being conducted.
Some employers may choose to verify your educational history as part of the background check process, especially if the job requires a specific degree or level of education.
In these cases, the employer will typically contact the school(s) you attended to confirm your enrollment and graduation dates.
Other employers may not verify your educational history as part of the background check process, especially if the job does not require a specific degree or level of education.
5. Financial Information Check
Every background check show about your financial information but this type of background check will vary depending on the laws of the jurisdiction where it is being conducted.
However, some of the most common types of financial information that are included in background checks include:
- Credit history: This may include a review of the applicant’s credit report, which shows a history of their borrowing and repayment habits.
- Bankruptcy records: This may include a search for any bankruptcy filings that the applicant has made.
- Tax liens: This may include a search for any tax liens that have been filed against the applicant.
- Civil judgments: This may include a search for any civil judgments that have been entered against the applicant.
If you have any financial problems, such as bankruptcy or tax liens, you should consult with an attorney to discuss your options.
6. Personal Information
A background check show most of your personal information details and yes, a background check will likely show your address history.
This information is used to verify your identity and to identify any potential criminal records. It can also be used to assess your risk of fraud or other financial crimes.
The specific addresses that are included in a background check will vary depending on the type of check being performed and the laws of the jurisdiction where it is being conducted.
Here are some tips for preparing for a background check of your address history:
- Review your address history and make sure that all of the information is accurate.
- Be prepared to provide documentation to support your address history, such as utility bills or rental agreements.
- If you have any gaps in your address history, be prepared to explain them.
7. Driving Record Check
A driving record, also known as a motor vehicle report (MVR), is a document that contains information about your driving history.
This includes information about any traffic violations, accidents, and suspensions or revocations of your driver’s license.
The specific information that is included on a driving record will vary depending on the state in which you live.
However, some of the most common types of information that are included on driving records include:
- Your name, date of birth, and driver’s license number
- Your driving history, including any traffic violations, accidents, and suspensions or revocations of your driver’s license
- Your current driver’s license status, such as whether it is valid or suspended
Driving records can be obtained from your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV).
You can also request a copy of your driving record from many insurance companies and other organizations.
Driving records are used for a variety of purposes, including:
- by insurance companies to set your auto insurance rates
- by employers to make hiring decisions, especially for jobs that require driving
- by law enforcement officers to determine whether you are eligible for a driver’s license and to investigate accidents.
8. Professional Licenses: Will A Background Check Show My Professional Licenses?
Yes, a background check may show your professional licenses. This is especially true for jobs that require a specific license, such as doctor, lawyer, or teacher.
Employers may want to verify that you have the proper license to perform the job and that your license is in good standing.
The specific professional licenses that will show up on a background check will vary depending on the type of check being performed and the laws of the jurisdiction where it is being conducted.
However, in general, background checks for employment will typically include a search of any professional licenses that are required for the job.
If you are concerned about whether or not a background check will show your professional licenses, you can ask the potential employer about their policies.
You can also request a copy of your background check report from the company that conducted the check to see what information is included.
Here are some tips for preparing for a background check of your professional licenses:
- Make a list of all of your professional licenses.
- Be prepared to provide documentation to support your professional licenses, such as license numbers and expiration dates.
- If your license is not in good standing, be prepared to explain why.
Conclusion To What Does A Background Check Show?
We have covered a lot of information about background checks and what they can include. Now, it’s time to tie everything together.
- First, it’s important to understand that background checks are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to making decisions about employment, housing, and more.
- Second, there are a variety of factors that can affect what information is included in a background check.
- And finally, the laws regarding background checks vary from state to state.
With all of this in mind, you should now have a good understanding of what a background check show.