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Beware of Background Check Scams
Posted by Admin on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
“Beware Of Online Background Check Scams!
I Can’t Believe The Hours I’ve Wasted On These So Called Background Check Sites……”
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t always believe what companies claim on their sites. It’s ridiculous and I’m frustrated to be honest. That’s one of the reasons why I created this site.
Why Do People Need Background Checks?
Conducting Background Checkes is incredibly beneficial for everyone. What if you’re dating online and want to see if someone’s telling the truth about their age? How ’bout screening your babysitter? Maybe you’re looking to find your old sweetheart and see if they’re married? There are many reasons why you’d want to pick up the following information on someone:
- Address (Do they really live where they claim to?)
- Phone Number (Can I actually call them?)
- Age / Date of Birth (What’s their Real Age?)
- Marital Status (Are they still single? MARRIED??)
- Estimated Income & Home Value (Do they have a job or own their own home?)
Jump to my Top Pick for Background Checks!*
So, I’m A Cheapskate… 
I tried to do the Cheap/Free approach at first. It’s kind of funny actually to think of how much time I wasted. Well, not really!?! So picture this…here I am doing a reverse phone search for this guy who just emailed me in response to a bookkeeping ad I posted. Then, I think I found him. I click on the link and it’s another search box wanting me to search for him again. So, I do and they want me to purchase before I see anything. So, I keep looking and finally figured out that I’m not going to find zilch until I purchase one of these things. I went through about 10 of them before I finally found the data. Then, I start going through my list to get a refund. Do these companies even know what in the world customer service is????
And The Winner Is…(Drumroll please)
Anyway, that was a debacle and I learned the hard way. But, the site I found the data on was Net Detective. I was actually surprised because it was a fair price according to the other sites out there. I got unlimited searches: search by name, search by email, search by address, search by phone, all UNLIMITED! Which by the way helps alot because some of those guys charge you up front then want to charge you everytime you search. One of the other things I thought was really cool with Net Detective was that they gave me a phone number to call if I had trouble. So, I couldn’t find this one person I was looking for info on and wanted to see if there was a better way. Rather than telling me the better way they actually looked up the record for me. Is that cool or what?
Click Here For Net Detective!*
* Includes Free Sex Offender Map! (effective. Jan 1, 2010)
Second Place Goes To…
In the runner-up spot, with very good customer care, great U.S. converage, and a pretty good size database is Complete Detective. Between these two services, you really cannot go wrong.
There are lots of third place winners, but too many to name. You are free to search google and go through the top 10 links you see. But don’t waste your time… I’ve already done that and I’m here to help you out.
So, thanks for listening to me ramble on… Anyways, I hope you’ll find this helpful when it comes time to do some effective Background Checkes online.
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About This Site
My name is Kim and I am a freelance writer. I have over 30 years of experience in office management and administrative expertise. I specialize in handling customer service, training and writing for online businesses.
Writing has always been my passion. I am an avid animal lover who is combining my love of writing and animals together in the children’s books I am writing.
The Internet has opened up a whole new world for people of all ages. While most of us agree it’s changed our lives for the better, there are still precautions that you need to take. I want to help you navigate the Internet safely. However, being security conscious doesn’t stop with the Internet. This blog will be your source of information and education to keep you and your family safe online and offline.
While I wish the cost of maintaining a blog was free, it is not. The providers of some—though not all—of the sites mentioned are generous enough to provide compensation for my honest opinions about their products or services. I do not write about any product that I have not personally tried. Feel free to check out my full compensation disclosure.
Kim
Hi,
I have tried to do my research on this company before ordering but the BBB has no records of Net Detective. Can you explain this please?
Hi Reg:
The BBB typicaly reports on businesses who pay to be members of the BBB. If a business is not a member, the BBB will not necessarily have information to report.
Hope this helps!
I think I was black listed. How do I find out what company is responsible? What is my recourse?
Hi June:
We’re not sure what you mean by someone blacklisting you. You can perform background searches in Net Detective. The fee is $29.00 for unlimited searches for three years.
You may wish to contact Net Detective’s support team for detailed instructions on how to find out who blacklisted you:
Call 1-800-853-9773 to speak to a representative.
Support Hours
Monday through Friday 9am – 7pm ET
Saturday 12pm – 5pm ET
Holiday Hours May Vary
Good luck with your search!
My dad met this lady online and “thinks” he has fallen head over heels..I think he met her like 3 times and now they are planning a wedding..since she does not live local or in my state and nobody knows her..will a background check be the way to go to thoroughly check her out? I am not one to interfere as my dad is a grown man but my gut is telling me somethings not right.
Hi Angie:
You’re only trying to look out for your dad. So, a background check could be a good idea in this case.
Hope everything works out for you and your dad!
Happy Holidays,
Kim
I am trying to NOT keep on paying for background checks and the employer not selecting me and NOT telling me why!! I had a bad wrap over 7 years ago, and ‘good’ ever since. What would you suggest for those of us trying to find quality work with tainted records?
Hi Dave:
I am sorry to hear you are having problems finding work.
If you know what’s on your background check, we cannot really advise you on finding work. If you need help finding out what is on your background check, please contact Net Detective’s support team at 1-800-853-9773 or email them at support@hdpublishing.com.
The website can be viewed here:
http://www.netdetective.net/
Best wishes,
Kim
So many sites advertise free public records, but all of the searhing I have done wants credit card info. Basically to charge me for what is suppose to be free…Help!
Hi Sharon:
Net Detective is a one-time fee of $29.00. You will be able to perform unlimited searches for three years. They have a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
http://www.netdetective.net/
Hope that helps.
What do you do if you pay for a backround check and the information is wrong.The website is easy backround check.com
Hi Lila:
We would suggest that you contact customer service for the website you used to perform the background check. We can only help you with websites we have personally used.
Hope this helps!