Have you ever Googled yourself?
Years ago, that may have been misconstrued as an obscene question, but today everyone knows what I’m talking about. If you Google yourself or others, you’ll come up with lots of websites promising background information. Websites like Whitepages, Instant Checkmate, MyLife, and others promise a wealth of information: phone numbers, address history, employment, property value, known associates/family members, court records, religion, income and more.
If you look at your own information, you will quickly realize that some information is accurate, whereas a lot of information is dated or completely inaccurate. One site containing records for me, for example, shows my wife’s cell phone number and my father’s age as belonging to me. And the address history is woefully incomplete.
But what do you expect for a free search, right?
Pay more, get more: But is it enough?
Besides the free look-up sites, many paid services are available. Some are available to anyone with a credit card. But there are several specialized sites that limit access to certain professions, such as professional investigators, and usually require an extensive credentialing process to ensure that those requesting the information have a permissible purpose and safeguards in place to prevent fraud. Needless to say, these databases cannot be used to look up an old crush just for the fun of it.
The main benefit of these databases lies in their sources. They harvest and scrub records such as:
- Credit headers
- Motor vehicle registrations and licenses
- Voter registrations
- Property records
- Court records
- Corporation filings
They use data from these and other sources to develop an in-depth profile on a person. While not infallible, the information provided is more current, comprehensive and accurate than the free and consumer-grade alternatives.
The key phrase above, however, is “while not infallible.” Simply put, those data sources are fallible. They can be an excellent resource, often providing investigative direction and leads. However, the information is not necessarily all-encompassing or completely up-to-date. Court cases that were resolved or dismissed may still be listed. Voter registrations may list an old address. Cars may have been sold. Corporate officers may have changed.
In short, even the most expensive, professional-level online resources can’t guarantee that their information is comprehensive and current.
No substitute for legwork
In other words, even the best online databases are no magic bullet. These tools do not replace good, old-fashioned, boots-on-the-ground, in-person searches done at courthouses and clerk’s offices. Often, these additional steps will reveal things not found in databases.
There are two reasons why an in-person search can find more current and comprehensive info.
- First, online databases generally obtain their data by purchasing bulk information from sources such as county courthouses. Depending upon the source, that data may be updated regularly… or not. In between updates, a lot of data may change. In the case of an open lien, payment may be made, and the status can go from “open” to “satisfied/released.” A disposition can change in a criminal case, court records may be sealed or unsealed, and the list goes on. Additionally, some jurisdictions don’t even sell or provide their information to database services, obviously creating an information void in those areas.
- Second, the data in an online database is secondhand at best. That information must be verified with original sources to ensure completeness and accuracy. This is never more important than when dealing with FCRA-related background checks. As highlighted in previous blog posts, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, is the law that governs employment-related background checks.
One requirement dictated by the FCRA, for good reason, is that information cannot be reported by a consumer reporting agency to an employer/prospective employer about a person unless it is complete and accurate, among other requirements. If a criminal case, for example, is found in a database, the information must be verified with the court before it can be reported. Skipping this critical step can leave employers and consumer reporting agencies open to liability. Relying solely on online information can be a costly mistake.
Unfortunately, there is no “point and click” shortcut to thorough, up-to-date background checks. At best, information may be missed. At worst, you may just find yourself in a lawsuit with little defense.
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