What is a Background Check?

What is a Background Check?

"Background checks include any type of prescreening of employees, tenants or person one wishes to extend credit to. Background checks can include criminal records, driving records, and employment verifications. Background checks can also include credit reports."

Employers, Landlords and Creditors already know that running a background check on prospective employees, tenants or credit applicants is an essential part of the vetting process to ensure only worthy candidates are extended credit privileges. Below describes some of the reports available when running a background check.

1. Credit Reports

Credit Reports from AAA Credit Screening includes a full credit history and credit score (no score for employment screening) as well as public records including tax liens, bankruptcy records and Judgments against the candidate for the past 7 years. Reports are from TransUnion or Equifax upon request. Prior addresses are also typically reported on the credit reports. While this information isn't always up to date, it can provide AAACSS with areas to search for criminal records that may not otherwise be known.

2. Criminal Records

Criminal Records include a candidate's criminal record in a specified county or state. AAA Credit Screening Services will report on the last 7 years of criminal history. The narrowest report include county criminal records, which are obtained from the specified county courthouse records. Statewide criminal records and Nationwide criminal records are also available and will include misdemeanor and felony convictions. AAA Credit Screening Services can also provide International Criminal Record reports. Another option is Federal Felony Criminal Records. What makes these reports unique is that they include records from federal district courts, rather than county court records. White collar crimes such as fraud and tax evasion are the most common crimes found in these reports

3. Other Background Checks

AAA Credit Screening offers a variety of other background screening services, including eviction records, driver license check (driving records), degree verification, credential verification, reference checks, workers compensation claim reports, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Social Security Number Verifications, "Specialty Designated Nationals List" (SDN), and employee drug testing (DOT, non-DOT, and Hair Testing).

Ordering any of the above-mentioned reports from AAA Credit Screening Services is called a background check. While the amount of options can be overwhelming, AAACSS customer service representatives can work with any client to customize the reports needed for their specific purpose. For more information on which kind of background checks are right for you, call AAA Credit Screening Services at 281-282-0447 or fill out an online new customer sign up form today!