You may not think about what information might turn up in a background check until it’s time to apply for a job, rent an apartment or secure a volunteer role. But if you don’t know what to expect from potential tenants and landlords, there’s no way to correct misinformation.
Here’s what a background check really is, and why it’s important to know what it includes.
What a ‘background check’ really means
Background checks show both basic information (such as your full name and age) as well as details about your employment history, education and more. These checks will also vary depending on what type the person requested. Here are examples of what you can find:
- Job checks: Criminal records, ID verification, past addresses, education or employment verification and driving records for certain roles may appear.
- Employer inspection reports: Discharge files, employment history, address history and credit related information may appear.
- Some special reports: These additional reports vary but may include professional licenses, test-writing history or other records compiled for a specific purpose.
Anyone using a background check must have a valid purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also issued guidelines that highlight your rights during employer background checks and employer background checks.
Why you should run it yourself
Employers, landlords and other people may ask you to check your background when you apply for something. They’ll see all of your history and other data points, but they won’t know if that background check is accurate.
Mixed records, out-of-date information and unresolved issues can impact your applications. But you can refute these mistakes.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a guide on how to dispute credit report errors, and you can dispute employer background check errors by following the steps on the FTC website. These steps can help ensure that the person accepting your background documents checks for accurate information instead of erroneous information that could hurt your chances of getting a job or finding a rental property.
Reviewing copies of your credit reports and special consumer reports will give you a lot of insight into what an employer will see when doing a background check. Some jobs will also check for driving, certification or credentials if necessary to perform the role. You should also request and review tenant inspection information when you are apartment hunting.
Once you receive these documents, the key is to review them for any incorrect information, such as missing addresses, inaccurate personal information and duplicate records. Dispute any errors in writing and include documents to support your claims. The CFPB has a sample argument letter you can use to save time.
