How To Check Someone’s Background by Marc Hurwitz
In short: to check someone's background, start with their identity and address history, then search criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments and evictions. For hiring or renting, use a screening report that follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Have you ever needed to investigate someone for personal or legal matters? A background check may be just what you’re looking for, and a private investigator is the perfect resource to conduct that background check.
If you look around, you’ll find a multitude of online services offering background checks, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for – especially when seeking information. Online databases often derive from old or outdated sources, providing precious little information such as an address and phone number which may no longer be valid.
Without a doubt, a private investigator is the best resource to turn to when you need to conduct a background check. We have access to databases and aggregators that the general public do not. An established investigation firm with good contacts will provide you with the most useful information. You’d be surprised at how little information you need for a good investigation agency to produce a very comprehensive report.
When hiring someone to conduct a background check, you have to make sure you’re compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This outlines the permitted scopes that are allowed to be used when making a hiring decision. It’s important for your own protection that the resource you use to conduct these checks adhere to these regulations.
If the background check you’re conducting is NOT for hiring or leasing purposes, then you will probably want as much information as possible, including address history, criminal history, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, and evictions.
But these are just for starters. At Crossroads Investigations, even our most basic background check includes even more information. Next time you need information about a person, give us a call.
Five Steps to Check Someone's Background
- Confirm the person's full name, date of birth and past addresses.
- Search criminal records in each county where they lived.
- Check bankruptcies, liens and judgments.
- Check evictions if you are renting to them.
- Decide which kind of check fits: a screening report for hiring or renting, or a deeper report for a lawsuit, deal or personal decision.
Quick Answers
Is it legal to run a background check on someone?
Yes, public records are legal to search. Hiring and renting decisions fall under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, so use a screening report for those.
Why not just use an online database?
Online databases can be outdated or incomplete. An investigator has wider database access and checks results against court records.
What does a basic background check cover?
Address history, criminal history, bankruptcies, liens, judgments and evictions.
For a deeper search, see our deep background reports. For hiring or renting, order a tenant or employee screening report. For a full case, see our background investigations. Updated October 2026.
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