The Importance of Background Checks

Potential investors aren?t just looking for good ideas. When they lend someone their money, they?re also concerned with the person?s character.

Why character? Because a person can be brilliant, but he can also be brilliantly fraudulent. The world is, unfortunately, full of scam artists, who use their charm and intelligence to loop na?ve investors into signing the checks, and then running off with them.

Aside from the scam artists, there are the criminals who use what seems like a perfectly legitimate business operation to launder the money earned from illegal activities like drug dealing or white slavery. Here, profits have nothing to do with it?it?s ethics. Would you want to be associated with a criminal? Would you want your money to go to supporting a criminal activity? And would you put your reputation at risk by being marked as an ?associate? of someone who is known for breaking the law?

That is why it?s important to do a background check on anyone who has approached you to do business with him. Don?t be fooled by his charm, his credentials, or even the marvellous idea that he claims will earn you more money than you?ve ever dreamed of. A background check is still important.

Sadly, very few people do background checks, putting more attention to the business plan than the background of the person presenting it. They are distracted by the numbers, and impressed by the forecasts, which is exactly what a scam artist or criminal is trying to achieve. They are very good at this game and can fool you into thinking that everything is perfect?after all, they?re professional liars. So don?t just ?trust your instincts?. Instincts are unreliable. Only a real background check, with information that has been gathered and collated, with official approval that someone is legitimate or not, can completely protect you.

You can ask for a background check from accredited organizations that keep a record of criminals from all over the world. These organizations have their databases updated by the governments and police groups, who regularly inform them of anyone who has a record of breaking the law.

Of course, many people will change their names. However, background checks can also derive their analysis from biographical information (usually found in the resume or CV) or even the photos.

You should also make it a point to ask for references. Even if the person does not have a criminal background, he may be exaggerating his skills. If he says he worked in a particular company, call up the HR department. Insist on talking to his former supervisor. You can also look into the other business he has set up. Does he have a good track record of handling money, following objectives, resolving crises and problems? This person is managing your money! You have to know that he is competent and reliable. You wouldn?t hire anyone without looking at his CV and the same holds true for those who you ?hire? as the person who will be managing your investment.

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Background Checks - What Is Being Said About You?

Background checks are an important part of living in this day and age. There are several reasons background checks are conducted, such as safety reasons, employment reasons, and for the value that they can provide, based on their past. More and more, employers utilize this as part of their hiring process in an attempt to weed out applicants early on.

There are actually several types of reports that come back in a background check. Each offers the requestor a look at who you are and what you are likely to provide to those that you work, live and share some part of your life with.

Some reports are as simple as just a Social Security check which determines if your number is authentic. Others provide your employment history. The range is really quite up to what the seeker pays for. In reality, they could learn quite a bit about who you are. Most of the source of the information provided on the reports is provided by government agencies based on public records that are filed.

Below is a list of some common background checks:

? Driving records - These help to determine if you are a safe, responsible driver. A vehicle registration report may also be pulled that lists the type of vehicle(s) you drive and own.

? Criminal records - these encompass a large part of employment background checks. Information such as incarceration history, sex offender status and even court records.

? Other information that can be requested on you include your: education records, character & personal references, medical records, past employment records and military records.

? Credit check - this includes your credit records and credit score, property ownership and bankruptcy filings. This information helps others determine your ability to fulfill your responsibilities.

Because any (or all) of these background checks can be filed on you at any time, you should take time to investigate yourself. Mistakes are common so by knowing ahead of time what information is out there on you, you have the ability to fix those mistakes.

For more information on background checks and how to protect yourself from mis-information, visit http://www.backgroundcheck.topinfo4all.com