How Far Back Does a Background Check Go | 2024

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How Far Back Does a Background Check Go | 2024

How far back does a background check go? You may be curious about this question when you’re hunting for a job. What will employers find in my background report? Can I run a background check for myself?

How far back does a background check go?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) has clear guidelines around how far back any specific background check can search in an employee or candidate’s history.

Employers use consumer reports to screen job applicants or employees. And Consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) remove negative information 7 years after the date of first delinquency.

So, in most cases, pre-employment background checks can go back a maximum of 7 years. But it can go back further depending on compliance laws and what is being searched. For example, previous bankruptcies can be reported up to 10 years back.

How to run a background check for myself?

You can perform a background report for yourself with people search engines. Though this is not the general method HRs use to screen employees, it provides a more detailed, longer, and clearer report. You can see what may be disclosed in your report and prepare for it. Besides, it helps ensure that your identity hasn’t been compromised or stolen.

You CANNOT use these tools to determine an individual’s eligibility for credit, insurance, employment, housing, or any other purpose covered by the FCRA.

Method 1 TruthFinder

TruthFinder is one of America’s most popular public record search engines. It scans hundreds of millions of available public records, social network data, and more to provide people with a report about the person they want to find. That’s how it works to help people reconnect with family and friends with just a name or other tiny info.

What TruthFinder users said

That’s the same secret of how it enables you to conduct a background check on yourself. Information contained in a background report may include:

  • Criminal and arrest records;
  • Civil court records;
  • Employment history;
  • Educational background;
  • Social media profiles;
  • Financial assets;
  • Bankruptcies and more.

Access your background report is quite easy:

1. Visit the TruthFinder website. Enter your full name and click Search.

2. Wait patiently for the algorithm to generate your report. Since it has large data sources, it may take a while to find all matching and return a well-structured report to you. Note that you need a membership account to unlock the report.

The above image is from a sample TruthFinder report. Actual TruthFinder reports may contain more or less information.

Method 2 BeenVerified

Possessing over 100,000 subscribers, BeenVerified has provided affordable and easy access to public info for 15 years.

Many people use it to monitor public records and online reputation. In addition, its 7-in-one search tool enables it to run a background check for roommates, neighbors, dating crushes, and other people with high confidentiality. You can search people by name, username, phone, address, email, and vehicle.

Likewise, you’ll get a generated report about yourself. Purchase a membership account and go through the report to check if there’s anything out of your control.

Method 3 Intelius

Intelius is another industry-leading data provider. It offers lightning-fast responses, advanced technology, and an easy-to-navigate interface. Also, it allows people to run a background check by name, phone, or address. What’s more, you may find criminal records, marriage and divorce history, lawsuits involved in, bankruptcies, liens against them, and more in an Intelius report.

Try to run a background check for yourself to see how far back it goes:

  1. Head to the Intelius website.
  2. Enter your name, city, and state. Then click Search.
  3. Your report will be ready in minutes and you’ll need to pay to unlock the report. If you find that your identity has been stolen, take action now to get things fixed.

The above image is from a sample Intelius report. Actual Intelius reports may contain more or less information.

Final Words

To sum up, pre-employment background checks generally go back a maximum of 7 years by screening consumer reports under the guidelines of the FCRA. However, you can search for more details about yourself by running a background check with tools like TruthFinder and Intelius.

All product names, logos, brands, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

exclamation-blueThere’s no guarantee you’ll find the information you’re looking for with the tools discussed in this article. They all source their information from publicly available data sources, such as county, state and federal courts, government departments, and police records, and those sources may contain incorrect or incomplete data. It’s illegal to use these tools to make decisions about employment, admission, consumer credit, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. Read the Fair Credit Reporting Act to learn more....

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Yuki's curiosity knows no bounds when it comes to knowledge. With two years of programming under her belt, she's embarked on thrilling projects that showcase her unique blend of creativity and analytical acumen. From developing a captivating poetry website to diving into the depths of data analysis and venturing into the world of mobile app development, she became excellent at Internet research and data mining.

But her journey doesn't end in the classroom. Prior to joining Super Easy, she has honed her writing skills as a contributor at SHEIN, delved into the intricacies of marketing as a specialist for an international e-commerce company, facilitated dreams as an educational consultant for a company assisting individuals in studying abroad, and lent her IT expertise as an assistant for britishcouncil.org. This breadth of experience has enriched her perspective on the digital landscape, making her a true expert in uncovering hidden gems on the web.

Yet, Yuki's interests extend far beyond the digital realm. When she's not crafting informative content, she's often found taking refreshing dips in the pool, embarking on thrilling adventures around the globe, or immersing herself in the captivating realm of theater. These passions not only rejuvenate her spirit but also serve as a wellspring of creativity, ensuring that her writing remains vibrant, engaging, and relatable.

About this article

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Yuki Huang

Writer

Yuki's curiosity knows no bounds when it comes to knowledge. With two years of programming under her belt, she's embarked on thrilling projects that showcase her unique blend of creativity and analytical acumen. From developing a captivating poetry website to diving into the depths of data analysis and venturing into the world of mobile app development, she became excellent at Internet research and data mining. Bu [...]

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