My background check that was done on someone who I was considering beginning a business with was the single greatest action I’ve ever performed in my life. And at first I didn’t feel I needed to do it. After all, he knew people that I knew and he introduced me to people who could aid us greatly in business. So what was I worried about? Problem is that there was an instinctive reaction I had toward him that I just couldn’t put my finger on. It was a nagging doubt that no matter what he did or who he knew, something was wrong. Well, I did my background check and was totally in shock at how much was revealed about this person. Needless to say, I cut all ties and eventually told others who were considering doing business with him as well.

Recently, during a survey, nearly 50% of people are doing a search like my background check on people that normally they would just trust. Nearly 80% of all companies are screening their employees through these same types of searches. Landlords are, more than ever, running a search, similar to my background check, on all of their tenants no matter what they look like or what their education level seems to be. And with the advent of online dating sites, not doing a screening on who you meet online is just plain foolish and downright dangerous.

My background check pulled up so many undesirable characteristics and criminal acts which were related to this man that I was in awe. Some of the results that you will get might include:

• Criminal records – includes sex offender registry, prison or parole terms, past offenses, generalized criminal convictions
• Identity check – includes name, current address and previous addresses, aliases and social security number
• Motor vehicle information – includes DUIs, accidents, etc.
• Education – includes where and when they went to school and any and all degrees
• Employment – includes where they’ve been employed and their records
• Military – includes if they’ve been in the military and the type of discharge they received

My background check brought up several of the above although there are many other categories of searches that are available and the check will reveal. It can also reveal information such as: amount left on mortgage, credit card debt, bankruptcies and even who their neighbors are. Yes, a lot of undesirable information was revealed in my background check, but it totally changed the way I approached this person that I was about to go into business with. He lied about just about everything he told us and he got caught. I can’t even imagine where I would be and what I would have lost in time and money if I did not do my background check. Don’t leave anything you do with anyone to chance. Do what I did and hopefully you’ll get better results. But either way, it is the best thing you can do for you, your family and your business.