Compare Reviews for Background Checks

Many background check companies are able to offer background screening services and some have different official credentials than others.

• NAPBS members: Some background check companies are members of the National Association of Professional Screeners (NAPBS). This means the company complies with all the current rules and laws about background checks and is closely monitored.
• Word-of-mouth reputation: Review sites like ConsumerAffairs.com offer word-of-mouth reviews from previous customers of background check companies. These reviews are a way to get an unbiased description of a company's reputation from someone who has experience working with them.
• Unaccredited: Some background check companies don't have official credentials, but they are still able to run background checks on individuals.

Background screening companies often differ from one another based on the kinds of background checks their company can perform.

• Credit checks: Credit checks are run to determine a person's financial history and their credit-worthiness. Landlords, employers, lenders, and insurance companies often request this type of screening.
• Criminal background: Many background check companies research court, police, and other records to determine whether the subject has a criminal history.
• Driving records: Companies that run checks of driving records can discover things like the number of accidents and DUIs a person has had, and more.

Background check companies aim their services at different client types.

• Employers: Some background check companies target their services to employers researching potential employees.
• Landlords and property managers: Background check companies often target their business to landlords who run background checks on potential and current tenants.
• People hiring a nanny or housekeeper: Some background check companies specialize in running background checks on housekeepers, nannies and other household employees.

Most background check companies run checks for clients, and some companies set themselves apart by offering additional services beyond simply running tests.

• Strictly testing companies: Some background check companies simply run background checks and compile the results to give to people requesting the test.
• Full-service companies: Full-service background check companies learn about a company's recruiting strategies and desired employee type, and they help a client understand test results and further develop a recruiting strategy.
• Testing and consulting companies: Some background check companies run checks on candidates, and offer advice to clients about how to interpret the results and proceed.

Background check companies deliver a large amount of information to clients after running checks, and they often vary from one another based on how they deliver this information and in what format.

• Online reports: Some background check companies run checks online and provide online reports.
• Printed reports: Background check companies that provide printed reports give clients hard, paper copies of the results they find in their tests.
• In-person reports: Many full-service background check companies will provide clients with in-person updates about the results of screening, in addition to printed material.

Fee amounts and types vary significantly between companies, often based on the types of checks done and the scope of services required.

• Base price and fees: Some companies charge clients a base price for their services, in addition to fees for each individual report.
• Flat fee companies: Flat fee background check companies offer comprehensive background services for one fixed price.
• Custom fees: Some background check companies can come up with custom fees and payment plans for companies. These plans are particularly common for big companies that need to run background checks often.