In Depth

How to Conduct a Background Investigation on the Cheap

A Google-only approach to background investigations is inexpensive but bound to be incomplete

By Simson Garfinkel

Now it's time to verify the biographical information. Many schools will verify degrees that they have issued, although such requests may have to be in writing. Take discrepancies that you find back to the subject for an explanation.

You can also pay between $20 and $200 for an online check of public records, credit records and even arrest records. Services like InfoMart (www.infomart-usa.com) and General Information Services (www.geninfo.com) typically offer packages such as a "preemployment background check," which accesses information on credit reports, bankruptcies and judgments. Be careful, though, as these services may return false matches or miss important information. Protect yourself by comparing the information that these services provide with the information provided by your subject and then having the subject satisfactorily explain the discrepancies.

Remember, the goal of the phone calls and database searches is not to dig up dirt on the person being investigated: Your goal is to verify information that the subject provided. The theory here is that errors or omissions you discover during the check may indicate a pattern of lies and falsehood. If the statistical sampling of information on the form doesn't pan out, then you'll know that there is a good chance that other information is bogus as well. But don't search on some applicants but not others, and don't dig for information that is scandalous or irrelevant to the position for which the person has applied. If you do, you might find yourself facing a lawsuit for discrimination, privacy invasion or improper termination.

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