The High Price of a Bargain Background Check

Monday, April 22nd, 2024

Ten dollars does not go far these days. You can barely get a fast-food meal for that amount. And yet, some churches and organizations spend that same price, or less, on a background check, expecting it to provide an acceptable measure of safety and peace of mind. When in reality, the bargain you thought you were getting could open your organization up to costly litigation, and all of a sudden, the cheapest solution……well, isn’t

Unfortunately, an $8 background check doesn’t provide high value for a low price like that fast-food meal. It is important to know exactly what you are paying for when you get a “bargain” background check:

• In most cases, a background check at this level will provide a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). It is a helpful resource, but the information is only as accurate and detailed as what is reported by each jurisdiction, and the level of detail is not consistent or required. This search can, however, be effective when used as a supplement to other searches.
• A basic background check may also provide a “nationwide screening.” This may sound promising, but there is no nationwide criminal search or national background check that will include all information and cover all jurisdictions. The results rely on a database search of potentially incomplete or out-of-date information.
• Other sites offer subscription plans that promise lots of results in various categories like motor vehicle checks, social media checks—even supposed checks on the dark web. Be cautious, because you most likely will have to pay additional for detailed information that is more relevant to what you are looking for.
• Be especially wary of free background checks. Some of these websites are not compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which means your background check may not even be legal. Many free sites do not cross-reference information to confirm identity and provide outdated and/or incorrect information.

What should you be looking for when deciding on a background check? You should always consider the source. Where is the information coming from and what type of records are being searched?

• Database v Court Research. Is the information coming from a database or is it coming from actual court record research? If you’re relying on database searches, you could be missing out on very important criminal information which may lead to a false sense of security. For example, an applicant who had a conviction 6 months ago may not raise a flag when searching a database if it isn’t up to date. Research of official court records ensures that your background is accurate and compliant.
• Jurisdiction – County/State/Federal level. Where is your background provider searching for criminal records? You may think a statewide search would be better than a county level search, but you would be wrong. Most felony & misdemeanor convictions occur at the local level and appear on county records, and most criminal records are stored in county courthouses across the country. The majority of counties in the US are not required to report their information to the state, therefore, only a handful of states maintain an accurate statewide repository for criminal records. County level criminal record searches are the most comprehensive sources for criminal records.

You should also consider searching criminal records at the Federal level. In your commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, it would be important to know if a potential volunteer has been convicted of distributing child pornography or using the internet to entice a minor. These types of crime, among others, would be prosecuted at the Federal level & may not show up on a county level background check. In short, best practice would be to conduct criminal record searches at the county & federal levels.

If you have $10 in your pocket, it’s much wiser to think about where you might go for lunch than how you might protect your organization with a cheap background check. Invest in quality background checks from reputable companies that are transparent about how they do research. You’ll be glad you sought to provide the highest level of protection possible for your church or organization.