Best Background Check Website?

May 18, 2010 4:26 PM

Best background check site for small businesses?

We're hiring someone, and need to run a simple background check, preferably using social security # as identifier. We don't need every traffic ticket from 10 years ago, but would like flags on the big stuff (This person is wanted in 3 states, is a sex offender, etc). Please suggest sites you have had luck with.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero to Work & Money (5 answers total)

I've used e-renter once, and the people I checked out out with it did indeed turn out to be non-criminals that paid their rent on time. I don't have a way of knowing if it's the best, but I hope that data point helps.
posted by ignignokt at 4:39 PM on May 18, 2010

for sex offender stuff you can search yourself online
posted by nadawi at 4:41 PM on May 18, 2010 [1 favorite]

i mean, you can do the searching, not that you can look yourself up on the database...
posted by nadawi at 4:41 PM on May 18, 2010 [1 favorite]

My significant other works for a background screening company that often works with small businesses for stuff like this. Given the close relationship I have with the company, I wouldn't feel comfortable advertising for them here. However, if you want to send me a private message, I will give you contact information.
posted by Ms. Saint at 4:52 PM on May 18, 2010

Most services charge by county. The most expensive tend to be NY, CA and TX. Depending on where this person has lived and if you want to cover the standard 7 years, it may cost you upwards of $100.
My company uses HireRight. If you email me, I can send you the quote we received from them along with a few others when we were in the implementation process.

Before you decide on a service to use, you need to make it a policy (you can't do a background check on one person you hire then choose to not do it for others). You also need the right legal language depending on where you are located.
posted by KB.Boston_implant.By way of NY at 5:47 AM on May 19, 2010