3 Reasons "Free" Online Background Search Services Stink.

A background search is a good way to suss out the liars in your life. But BEWARE! Online background searches are a rip-off, and can have dangerous consequences.

A background search is a powerful tool to have in your arsenal. It can tell you whether or not individuals have been married before, or whether or not they show up in national criminal record databases. Complete Background checks can give you an idea about who was honest on their employment application and resume, or whether your husband-to-be is being honest about certain details regarding his history. Most importantly, accurate background searches can be critical in protecting the safety of yourself and loved ones.

Unfortunately, more people are relying on the results from free, or "affordable" online background searches and the results can be misleading, outdated, inaccurate, and downright dangerous.

What's the problem with a free background search?

Here are 3 reasons why free online background search services stink.

1. Nothing worth anything is FREE! Just because your background search is free, doesn't mean it's accurate. And, in fact, it usually means just the opposite. Free background searches are usually done using inexperienced and unlicensed data processors that work in big call centers. These employees have no vested interest in the outcome of your background search results. In most cases, big online background search companies are only advertising the services as "free" because they are trained to up-sell you varying levels of more comprehensive background search services.
2. Outdated information. A background search is only as valuable as the accuracy of the information it turns up. As a licensed private investigator, who uses background search information on a regular basis, I consider it an investment to pay for memberships to top-notch data base services so my clients have access to the most accurate and time sensitive information I can get my hands on. If the information you obtain from a background search is outdated, it might be missing the critical pieces of information you need to make an informed decision. If you are running a background search on a caregiver, future employee, or prospective partner, or anyone who has access to your loved ones or personal property, all of the pieces matter!
3. Inaccurate or missing information. This column, You and the Law: Online background checks can be a dangerous rip-off, gives a prime example of how free and/or online background search services can be dangerous. Parishioners of a small church used an online background search to investigate their prospective pastor. They hired him, and regretted it almost immediately. It turns out their incomplete background search failed to turn up his convictions for spousal abuse, check fraud, and embezzlement, in addition to multiple civil suits that had been brought against him. This is extremely alarming.

Hire an experienced Private Investigator for background search services

Did you know that as many as 40% of our nation's courts report to independent database providers? When it comes to the safety of you and your loved ones, you owe it to yourself to invest in a reliable background search, run by a professional who knows exactly what to look for and how to weed through the often confusing results. You may end up spending more money in up-sales, and shoddy results, than if you would have sought the services of a professional background search investigator in the fist place.

Mike Garroutte, owner of Linked Investigations, is a licensed Orange County Private Investigator. He has provided reliable background search services to clients across the nation. He cares about providing the results you need to make an educated decision. For more information about Linked Investigations' competitively priced background search services, contact Linked Investigations.