We live in a 'fast-food generation' information-age, technology-driven society and time, where prompt access and consistency of information is gradually becoming more complex and difficult. An instant background check provides important information to help an individual or company make informed decisions regarding the hire of a candidate. Software's equipped with a huge database helps a person get instant results. Such instant information is essential for facilitating smart effective decision-making. Instant background checks are presented on-demand, through sign up at most online sources of background verification services. This is irrespective of the motivation, scope, nature or purpose of a persons instant background check. The information asked for is obtainable easily, expeditiously and fast.

Many servers and web sites provide a person with world-class, state-of-the-art instant background checks on anyone anywhere in the US. With certain quality providers it is instant, immediate and instantaneous, even electronic, right on to the applicants desktop or mobile digital wireless device. Laws and legislations are having a tough time keeping up with all the latest technology and innovative applications invented to sneak-peak into people's lives and backgrounds. Identity verification, information on single state or multi-states criminal records and sex offenders, credit reports and local county DMV search are the common ones instant checks are available on. Apart from this, information on bankruptcy reports (social security number required), employment, education, references and license verification are other cases on which instant checks are available.

Advanced technology has made a large amount of information available in order to satisfy a person's needs and requirements. High-speed Internet connections and a plethora of other advancements have made it possible to store and transfer large amounts of information instantly. Web sites and software only require a person to fill in certain specific information. On the basis of this information, the software and websites scans through the database and facilitates information that is required by the applicant. Often, these websites charge a nominal fee for providing services, but there are also some sites that provide such information for free.

There are quite a few types of background checks that can be done on a job applicant. These include credit checks, criminal record checks, driving records, and past employer checks. Even though it may be difficult to find candidates to fill all positions within an organization, cautious business practices require a person to conduct certain essential checks on potential employees. This is undertaken for the sake of restraining probable liabilities that can occur from neglectful hiring practices.

Credit checks are often carried out for positions that contain financial responsibilities. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) directs using credit checks for employment selection purposes. This is particularly true if the position involves handling large sums of money or exercising financial prudence. If the position does not involve this type of responsibility, the employer must be very cautious. It is a good practice to curb the use of credit reports to circumstances where this type of information is essential. Credit checks are of two types investigative consumer credit reports and consumer credit reports. An analytical consumer credit report contains a written report along with interviews from friends and neighbors. A written notice is to be given to a candidate before an analytical credit check is carried out

Criminal background check refers to the checking of a person?s past record in order to find out whether the person has carried out any criminal activity or not. Information regarding the same can be obtained from the police department or public courtrooms. Conducting a criminal background check enables a person to satisfy himself regarding the other person?s status. Employers are required to conduct a criminal record check for positions, which contain close, unsupervised contact with the public.

Employers should check the driving records of all aspirants who will be operating a company vehicle. This should be done before hiring the applicant and periodically right through the period of employment. It is the responsibility of the employer to check the driving records. Employers are also required to check if the applicant has a legitimate driver's license.

Other types of background checks include previous employer record checks, Social Security number checks, educational credentials check, and nanny background checks.

The word 'free' catches pretty much anyone's attention. However, conducting a background check is a crucial procedure that requires a lot of time and effort. Thus employers are advised to be extra careful while dealing with offers for free background investigations. The Internet provides a plethora of information relating to agencies that provide free background searches. However, upon a closer detailed examination of these 'free' offers, it is apparent that information that a person needs is not really free at all. Though finding out if a person has any outstanding warrants, any criminal charges may be possible but in order to examine the details of the findings paying a fee is a must. It is possible for employers to find the information by themselves. The Internet provides a number of public records, which are searchable online. Apart from this, another method is to contact the local police or sheriff?s department.

A free people search on the Internet generally starts with one of the many free people finders that a number of websites offer today. Often, this type of free people search offers little if any useful information. Often the information tends to be old, outdated or just plain wrong. Availing of such free information depends on the laws of a particular state and the employer's needs. Depending on such laws information may be acquired for free from one of these agencies. Privacy advocates advise people to be cautious while dealing with companies claiming the ability to find out anything about anybody. Often these companies may be violating federal laws regarding privacy. It is advised that the hiring company knows as much about the investigating company's practices prior to their hire.

In spite of the many drawbacks exhibited by a free background-checking agency there also exists a few plus points. Casual and less complicated data can be easily obtained by these agencies. Often the database existing with such agencies also tend to be pretty informative.

The role of a nanny is more than a babysitter. Nannies are expected to take part in the social, psychological and cerebral development of their charges. They work with children in areas such as language development, social manners, homework, and more. Often families prefer hiring nannies that stay for a minimum period of one year on the job. This is done to make sure that the children have continuity in their training and childcare. Applicants who do not feel that they can commit to a year might think about other types of childcare work until they are contented with the commitment. Before hiring a nanny, care should be taken to check her references carefully. It is also advisable to have a background check done to obtain further information.

Preferably a nanny should be a person who is well known to the family. Nanny background checks should be performed on any candidate that a person is contemplating to hire. A person who is unknown to a family may have a pleasing personality and a glowing list of references. However, it is advisable to make sure she is who she says she is and she's not hiding any criminal record or shaky financial past that may indicate irresponsible behavior. Agencies hiring out the services of a nanny usually conduct adequate background checks. Even if a person hires a nanny through an agency they should verify that the background checks have been conducted and by what company.

People generally have two choices when performing background checks. One option would be making the calls and perhaps visiting the county courthouse themselves, or hiring the services of a private agency to do all the groundwork People are advised not to hire anyone they do not trust or that they believe to be dishonest. Even if all the information checks out, they should listen to their gut feeling and not hire anyone they aren't comfortable with.

The purpose of carrying out background investigations is to verify that applicants for employment in sensitive positions do not have a history of activity that would make them unsuitable for the position for which they are being considered. Failure or slack in performing pre-employment background checks could destroy everything a business owner or manager has worked hard to build. Background checks and employee screenings are a must in today's business and domestic climate. It is seen that companies and families often do not adequately screen their new applicants. This can prove to be a big mistake as hiring crooks and cons can prove to be extremely costly and is liable to cause immense mental trauma.

Background checks serve many purposes. They tend to leave a person with the peace of mind in knowing that they have made the right decision in the hiring process. Business owners often feel they are entitled to know details of their workforce and what their background is. Employers should also include notification of the types of background checks carried out, in their pre-employment literature. Often employers do not have the time, resources or authority to complete such detailed investigations. In order to obtain this peace of mind, it is necessary to hire a background investigation firm.

Background checking cannot furnish employers with everything they want, but the information provided helps in obtaining many other kinds of information. It provides information by accessing criminal databases, sex-offender registries, workers compensation histories and critical screening for driver's licenses, employment history and educational history. Often conducting an appropriate background check can help a person avoid unwanted negative circumstances. In a business, a bad hire can prove to be devastating for a firm. A low level employee possessing a previous record of fraud might mange to embezzle a few thousand dollars. They may also drive away customers, or at the least consistently not show up for work costing you your hard earned customers business. At the domestic front hiring an employee with a criminal or fraudulent background may prove to be disastrous. The purpose of a background check is to facilitate prevention rather than cure.