| Confused by all of the "Instant | | | | "Browne". One more thing - the father's |
| Background Check" hype? Maybe you're | | | | Uncle Ron Browne shared the same address |
| frustrated because you tried "free" or | | | | for 5 years and now lives a block away. |
| low-cost access to public records but | | | | Unfortunately, anyone who tracks people |
| the information you received wasn't | | | | for a living will tell you that this |
| worth much either. If this describes | | | | seemingly outrageous example is very |
| you, then this article should help. | | | | close to the norm. In fact, where I have |
| No, I don't represent a public records | | | | seen this most is when one or more |
| information company. I am, however, an | | | | people in a family are involved in |
| investigator who has used many of the | | | | criminal activity and the confusion is |
| top public records services to | | | | intentional. For example, neither James |
| physically track down hundreds of people | | | | Browne Sr. nor Jr. has a record, but, |
| for civil and criminal court matters. I | | | | Robert Browne and a James Brown (no "e") |
| have also wasted many dollars and hours | | | | both have felony records. Criminals also |
| on the road being led to wrong or | | | | use other intentional misrepresentations |
| outdated addresses. What follows are the | | | | that look like typing errors such as |
| basics of discussions I found myself | | | | using a 1 instead of a 7 in their social |
| having everyday with my clients and | | | | security number. |
| others who have found themselves in the | | | | Not All Phone Books Are Created Equal |
| same situation. | | | | "Find Anyone's Phone Number and Address- |
| You Already Know An Internet Search | | | | Millions Available" is the ad which I |
| Engine Has Its Limits | | | | may or may not admit I responded to on |
| If you are reading this, I will assume | | | | several occasions. At the time I never |
| you are at least vaguely familiar with | | | | thought to ask - which phone numbers? |
| internet search engines. When you enter | | | | Â a. Historical - Every number in |
| search words like "background check", | | | | every phone book in the US for the past |
| the search engine combs through millions | | | | 10 years.b. Current - Every current |
| of pieces of data to try to bring back | | | | phone number as reported by every phone |
| the most relevant sites. In most | | | | company in the US as of this morning and |
| instances you get what you need. Yet, | | | | updated hourly.c. Relational - Every |
| you may still get results where the | | | | phone number people put down on utility |
| "background check" site is a place where | | | | bills and credit reports. |
| you choose the actual background color | | | | The answer is critical because all of |
| on the checks you get from the bank and | | | | them are needed. In most cases, people |
| not a site where you can get personal | | | | never ask. When you do ask - I can tell |
| information. | | | | you that the reps at the company |
| In the same way, background check | | | | providing the data won't know the answer |
| databases sift through millions of | | | | for sure or will make one up. |
| pieces of information. Some of that | | | | Take, for example, the recent trend in |
| information may have a name and address | | | | promoting "cell phone directories". A |
| (utility bill) or maybe a name and date | | | | reasonable person could believe that |
| of birth (some court records). Most | | | | such a database would be the current |
| records do not have enough information | | | | records as reported by each cell phone |
| to definitively connect it to other | | | | company. In the instance I know about - |
| pieces of information. In order to tie | | | | you would be wrong. As confirmed by one |
| those data together, the database uses a | | | | of their company reps on a TV news show |
| process similar to your internet search | | | | - the records they have come from |
| engine with, in many cases, similar | | | | self-reported cell phone numbers that |
| results. | | | | people used as references on other |
| You probably would not consider | | | | records. How long ago the number was |
| believing every fact in every article on | | | | reported and whether or not the number |
| the first page of internet search | | | | is active is unknown by them. |
| results. Instead, you would probably try | | | | The 5 Hard Lessons Learned On Background |
| to see which articles really apply to | | | | Checks |
| your search and then determine which | | | | 1. Use an Investigator |
| facts in which articles you can actually | | | | From the examples above, you can see why |
| verify, believe and use. You have to use | | | | I laugh when anyone tells me about an |
| the same approach of human intervention, | | | | "instant" computer background check. |
| quality control, and filtering when | | | | Good background checks take interaction |
| analyzing data from personal records | | | | between the requestor and investigator. |
| databases in order to have any | | | | The results naturally raise more |
| substantial success. | | | | questions than they answer. |
| I Thought I Was Unique - I'm Not! | | | | 2. Expertise is Invaluable |
| Like most people, I have never met | | | | In order to get the right answer, you |
| anyone with my same first and last name. | | | | have to know what to ask. One common |
| However, it shocked me to know that in | | | | mistake is when someone is checking for |
| the state of Texas there are 167 of | | | | past spousal or child violence by |
| "me". That means when I visit Texas, | | | | researching criminal records. If the |
| there is another "me" within 40 miles of | | | | person was actually convicted of beating |
| wherever I am. | | | | or molesting there should be a criminal |
| In my defense I then convinced myself | | | | record. However, in many states |
| that they really aren't "me" because | | | | protection from abuse and restraining |
| "me" is my age with my middle initial. | | | | orders are civil matters - not criminal. |
| Unfortunately I had to then learn there | | | | Ask the wrong question and even a good |
| are 9 "me"s in the country with my first | | | | answer could put someone in jeopardy. |
| name, middle initial and last name, who | | | | 3. A Full Check on a Person is Only Half |
| are also within 2 years of my age. Since | | | | of What is Needed |
| then I no longer hope for unique, now I | | | | People's lives are webs of relationships |
| just hope that all of those "me"s have | | | | with family and friends. It does little |
| good credit and pay all of their | | | | good to perform a background check on |
| speeding tickets. | | | | only the daycare provider when her |
| Coincidences, and lack of coincidental | | | | husband is a registered sex offender. |
| data, can easily make two people look | | | | 4. No Guarantee - No Deal |
| like one, split one person into two, or | | | | You should not have to pay for incorrect |
| link two unrelated people. I have seen | | | | or outdated information. You don't pay |
| entire family trees linked because John | | | | for shoes first and then see if they |
| Doe's mom is Jane Doe who lives 200 | | | | have the style and size you need. |
| miles away, but John is linked to a | | | | Finding people and background checks |
| second Jane Doe who is only 50 miles | | | | should be no different except that you |
| away. | | | | may need to pay the investigator some |
| The James Browne Effect | | | | small fee for the effort of trying. |
| Consider a fictitious family: James | | | | 5. Never Give Them Financial Information |
| Robert (Dad) and Joan (Mom) along with | | | | It amazes me when people know I have |
| their sons James Robert Jr. and Ronald | | | | access to most if not all of their |
| John. Now imagine a bucket filled with | | | | personal records and then turn around |
| 100 of their public records you need to | | | | and want to give me their credit card or |
| match with the correct person. The names | | | | other banking information. The company |
| on those records are Joan, James, | | | | that maintains access to both is asking |
| Robert, Bert, Jim, Bob, Jim Bob, John, | | | | for an identity theft nightmare. |
| Jack, Ronald, Ron, Ronny, Bobby, Johnny, | | | | Â |
| Jimmy, Jay, JR, RJ and Butch. To confuse | | | | I hope this helps you more fully |
| things more, half of the records have | | | | understand the situations surrounding |
| the last name "Brown" and the other half | | | | background checks. |