Instant criminal background checks provide an inexpensive, if not immediate, means of finding out who you have been dealing with on a day-to-day business. The check is quick and easy to run through any private entity, although many keep their databases private and won't share your information.
The process of obtaining criminal background information has become more straightforward. You can get instant results daily, weekly, and monthly. Some companies provide background checks for employers and anyone interested in performing an investigation for a personal need. They all use different screening methods to get your criminal history.
Not sure how to go about using instant criminal background checks? Here are some tips to help you improve the process and make it easier.
Search by Location
If you're looking for an instant criminal background check, the easiest way to find out if someone has a criminal record is to search by location. The database will display any arrests or convictions for felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations in the area you specify.
To use this feature, enter your city or zip code into the search bar at the top of the website. Then choose whether you want to search for all kinds of crimes or violent ones. If you're unsure what city or zip code to use, try yours first!
View Arrest Records in Your State
You can view arrest records in your state by performing a criminal background check. These checks are done by a third party, requiring your name, current address, and the state where you were born. The results will show arrests in your form, including convictions and pending cases.
You can also perform an instant criminal background check on yourself to see if there are any outstanding warrants for your arrest in other states. To qualify for this program, you must have a criminal record in another state or have committed a crime that would constitute a felony there.
Check a Person’s Criminal Background for Free
You can obtain a person's criminal background check free of charge in two ways. Visit the state's website, which has a search function where you can type in the name of the person you're looking for and then choose whether you want to include juvenile records. You will also have the option to specify what type of crime you're looking for: felonies, misdemeanors, or both.
The other option is to go to the county court, where the person pleads guilty. It is helpful if you know where the arrest occurred and want more information about it. For example, if someone has been arrested but never charged with anything. A court hearing would be a great way to learn more about their arrest.
Compare Background Checks by the Company
You can compare background checks by company. Start by entering information about yourself, like your name and birthdate. So the company can match you with the background check they provide. Then, choose the kind of record you'd like to check—criminal, employment, or court records—and press "Search." The company will then show you any results that match what you entered.
See How Much a Criminal Background Check Costs
Several factors go into determining how much a criminal background check costs, including the type of search you want to run and the state where you're conducting your search. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10-$20 for an instant criminal background check.
Expect to pay more if you're looking for something more detailed than a simple criminal record search. For example, if you want to know if someone has any outstanding warrants or has been arrested but never convicted. That information will cost more than knowing whether they have a record.
And then there's the state where you're conducting your search. Some states charge an extra fee for accessing their databases—not to mention any more costs associated with credit cards!
Search for the Person’s Name and the Word “Arrest”
When you're looking for someone's criminal history, there are two main places to get information: court records and police records. The courts will show you if they have been arrested, while the police will have more details about what happened during their arrest.
To find both records, start by searching for the person's name and add either "court" or "police." If you can't find anything on that search, try adding another keyword like "case number" or "charges" if you have them handy.
See How Many Years a Criminal Record Lasts
Instant background checks are excellent for determining how long a criminal record will stick with you. For example, if you have a DUI on your record, knowing how long you'll have to deal with the consequences of that conviction might be helpful.
In most states, a misdemeanor conviction will stay on your record for ten years after you've completed your sentence. And if it's a felony, it'll stay on there forever. Yet, some states have rules about how long an offense remains on your record—so if you doubt how long your criminal history will stick with you, check out the map created by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).
View Instant Public Court Case Lookup and Get Complete Information About Someone
Use Instant Criminal Background Checks to view instant public court case lookups and get complete information about someone. You can also check arrest records, criminal records, and background checks.
You can use these services to determine if someone has a criminal record. Employers or landlords often use it to check an employee's or tenant's background. This service will give you an instant answer to your question and save time in looking for information on your own!
Check if Someone Has a Criminal History Before Doing Business With Them!
The good news is you can check to see if a person has a criminal background or has ever been convicted of a crime. It is possible to find out if someone has been in jail or on probation. You can check whether someone's been arrested for stealing, assault, or driving under the influence. All it takes is a simple background check to get all the details required to make an informed decision.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).