As a joke, once I entered my name and location in a website that offered me a free background check and I learnt that different individuals with the same name as myself had been involved in repeat criminal offences in multiple states and several had been convicted.

For instance, one background check report showed that I was convicted of bigamy, and I possess over 30 state criminal records and 1 federal criminal record. While a deeper search based on photo identification number indeed proved that these crimes were not committed by me, I was amazed at the breadth of information available – and how easily accessible it all was.

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard people ask why a criminal background check is even necessary, and many tend to even dispense with the formality, trusting their “instincts” or “gut feeling” when it comes to making, say a hiring decision, or trusting someone with their children for instance. Yet, this is one thing no one can afford to take a risk with, as I found out to my great surprise.

An online background check can offer you much more information that what I found out about myself. The more detailed ones list down even the most minor of offences such as details of speeding tickets as well as counts of tax evasion or tax claims, and even provide a listing of the accommodation you have occupied over the years.

The information provided by online and other services offering background checks can prove to be of great assistance to someone looking to check up on a prospective employee, or even a current or ex boyfriend or girlfriend or spouse. You can even conduct one for yourself to find out what others may discover about you, so that you know how to defend yourself in case anything adverse is found. Given the rates of crime today, know that it is not safe to trust anyone until you complete this research on them.