| What is a database background check? |
| What is an On-Site background check? |
| Are database-only background checks accurate? |
| Are database searches legal to use for hiring purposes? |
| What are the benefits to running a database check |
| What should a thorough background check include? |
| Why do some services and agencies offer database only searches? |
| Why would I run an on-site county check if I already have access to a Free Preliminary database only check? |
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| What is a database background check? |
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A database background check (sometimes referred to as a database search or a repository search) is a search of a background screening company's proprietary database which contains accumulated criminal, name, address, and other public record information from several (not all) reporting jurisdictions or entities. It is widely known and undisputed that database checks are often incomplete and contain a high rate of errors. There are benefits to database checks, but ONLY when utilized along with on-site county checks. (See "What are the benefits to running a database check?" below) |
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| What is an On-Site background check? |
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An on-site (sometimes called an "in-court") county background check is where an investigator actually goes to the court to investigate a person's criminal history directly from the source. This type of check is indisputably the best way to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information. It is the method that must be deployed in order for any background check to be considered accurate. |
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| Are database-only background checks accurate? |
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Some information obtained from database searches is, indeed, accurate. However, with many of the nation's courts inaccurately reporting or not reporting at all to the various databases and with so many formats and data requirements, the error rate for such checks can be extremely high, and in many cases, offenses are not even reported at all. Database checks are by no means a complete check of a person's criminal history. Never rely solely on such checks for employment purposes—always follow them up or accompany them with appropriate on-site county checks.
GoNannies.com offers families free access to preliminary background checks which we automatically accuracy-check by verifying directly with the county any matching criminal hits from the database search at no cost to families.
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| Are database searches legal to use for hiring purposes? |
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No, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (which governs all consumer reports, including background checks) has determined that database-only searches are not legal to use on their own for employment purposes. Families must run an FCRA-compliant background check to be used for any hiring decisions. |
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| What are the benefits to running a database check |
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Database checks are very beneficial but ONLY in conjunction with on-site county checks. They may reveal other names and addresses that an applicant may not have reported, allowing you to run subsequent criminal checks against that information for a more thorough check. Additionally, database checks may reveal criminal offenses in certain jurisdictions that you may otherwise not have known about and allow you to follow up with those jurisdictions to verify the information.
GoNannies offers families free access to preliminary database checks which automatically perform these follow-up checks to verify the information from any database checks.
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| What should a thorough background check include? |
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Along with experts, GoNannies recommends that families run background checks that include both an "on-site" county check(s) in combination with state and national criminal and Sex Offender database searches, with the database searches used as a method of identifying potential unknown aliases, residences, or criminal activity to pursue further. Using both types of checks is the best way to uncover any offenses by an applicant. Either method alone is not sufficient.
GoNannies' Criminal Background Check Bundles include all such checks.
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| Why do some services and agencies offer database only searches? |
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Many agencies and on-line placement services offer database only searches to save money. At GoNannies, we find such a deliberate business decision irresponsible and negligent. We are very passionate about this issue and have no tolerance for companies who mislead families and compromise their safety. |
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| Why would I run an on-site county check if I already have access to a Free Preliminary database only check? |
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Since database checks may be incomplete or inaccurate as described above, an on-site county check is essential in order to confirm or disprove the results of the database check.
While GoNannies.com automatically runs on-site county checks against any criminal hits obtained from our free Preliminary database check, a supplemental on-site county check should still be run for any applicable county which was not automatically run during the Preliminary check. |
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[Order Nanny Background Checks Now] |
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Related Links: |
| How GoNannies Background Checks Work: Overview of Nanny Background Checks and Household Employee Background Checks |
Nanny Background Checks: What Families Should Know |
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