There is no disputing the importance of conducting background checks in today’s society. The benefits of comprehensive background checks are felt not only by business owners but by the individual customer. From CEO's to housewives more and more people are beginning to view background checks as a pro-active risk management strategy. The question many are asking is, “can I afford not to conduct a background check?” “Can I afford not to protect myself, my family, or my business when the cost of acquiring such information is becoming increasingly more cost effective?” What used to cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars to uncover can now be quickly and easily obtained at a fraction of the cost.

There are a few important components of a background check that need to be discussed. In order for any background check to be considered thorough both an SSN trace and a criminal record check must be conducted. There are many different types of criminal record searches. They can be narrowed easily into two main categories: database criminal record searches and onsite criminal record searches. The most thorough criminal record check available will always be an onsite search. Database searches, as we all know are fallible, but are a cost effective means of research. It is only at the onsite level that social security numbers can be used for criminal record verification purposes.

Sadly, the criminal record system is not as refined or accessible as the background check system. Thanks to credit card companies, telemarketers, and marketing research firms an individual’s residence history, bankruptcies, relatives, and alias names can be determined with speed and efficiency. The criminal record system is entirely the opposite. The system is antiquated to say the least. Due to many different state and county reporting practices and regulations it is not uncommon for criminal records to “slip through the cracks.” This lack of proper reporting can be dangerous both to businesses and individual citizens. This risk can be averted by conducting manual onsite criminal record searches along with SSN verifications for every subject.

Alias names are a crucial aspect of any background check. It is because of alias names, that SSN verifications are so important in conducting a thorough background check. Most of us have what are considered alias names. Allow me to explain, a John Wayne Smith can show up via public record as John Smith, John W Smith, JW Smith, J Wayne Smith, Johnny W Smith, etc. and the list goes on. Public record may list an individual’s personal information in many different ways. Therefore, it is very important that a human researcher of some kind review and compile any comprehensive background check. There will never be a substitute for human reason.

Remember that identity thieves are not always strangers. They could be co-workers, friends, relatives, roommates, and others physically or emotionally close to you. Thieves often steal from people they know, sometimes because they know you are unlikely to suspect them, and sometimes because they know you are unlikely to punish them. Learn more about protecting your identity at www.unlimited-backgroundcheck.com

In conclusion, one would be well advised to find a company that specializes in this type of service. There are many companies out there that offer only one service or the other. A criminal check is not complete without an SSN verification or background check, nor is a background check complete without a criminal record search and SSN verification. They indeed go hand in hand. Beware of any company that cannot or does not offer both, because the information returned may not be complete or accurate. In today’s society you really can’t afford not to conduct a comprehensive background check.

And you can also go so far as to become paranoid and spend time "spying" on every person you know.

It is true that even Christians have checkered backgrounds. In fact, I'll tell you about one right now! His background has been checked and rechecked and he is STILL a major enfluence in Christianity today and people listen to him and even quote him to the letter KNOWING he has a background that includes child abuse!

His name is Paul. In fact, he had his name legally changed! He used to be called Saul.

He used to seek out and arrest whole families, including children, and that could mean death for them in the conditions prisons were in. Sometimes he had them killed right there on the streets. The first account was written in the book of Acts about a man named Stephen. He was killed right there on the street (probably in front of kids), and they tossed evidence of who killed him right there (pieces of their clothing).

And later, he was accredited for at least one third of the New Testament writings! And we quote him left and right!

Do you see a problem here?

One of the things we need to consider is the law of forgiveness. That is a major law God gave us that is stronger than any law on earth. Without that, none of us will live. Why? Because we ALL have checkered backgrounds, and sexual abuse is only one of many that we are all guilty of. "If you break the least of these commandments, you broke them all". "We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God".

Just because someone was caught and convicted does not mean they are MORE guilty than others who were NOT caught and convicted. In fact, I am more concerned about the not caught than I am the caught. At least the caught has an opportunity the not caught does not have. Repentance and to be reborn into a new man. A NEW MAN.

I think living a paranoid life and going out to seek out others to find out if they are bad people or not is futile and does nothing for them or you. You have to forgive. It is NOT A CHOICE! It is an absolute MUST! This law is a requirment made by God for all of humanity, especially Christians. If you do not forgive, then you will not be forgiven! PERIOD!

Now if someone were to be alone with your children, the best thing to do is to make sure your children are well educated. Yes, educated about sex and the body. Shame and fear is not a good education. Often parents "educate" their children with fear and judgement, and skip the education about the body. A good respectful fear and awe gives the child a stregnth and courage to do what is right.

Now I am not expecting you to let a known child abuser to keep your children. I am not stupid. But you would be surprised at the fact there are some who has repented and has absolutly no desire to touch children, let alone to do anything more. Why? Because God changed them into a new man.

If someone is to steal your child away, the best thing they can do is to be normal and do "good" things. When was the last time you checked the background of your pastor? Your teacher? Your local grocer? Your ice-cream truck driver? Your best friend? You get the point?

What are the odds that the background checker is even correct? They do not always have good data bases. Sometimes it is inaccurate. Are you going to judge someone who made a mistake 20 years ago and has long repented and changed??

Are you going to look up a brother or sister in Christ and RE-judge them all over again after they had already paid the social price and LONG after God has poured the blood of Christs forgiveness on them??

I will make that choice IF and WHEN absolutely needed, but not to become a search-a-holic and paranoid about these things. Believe me, it does not do anything but breed more fear and suspicion.

It's as if you expect them to do wrong. You expect it so much that it may disappoint you if they do not do anything wrong. In fact, it actually makes people mad when they don't do anything wrong! Strange as it may sound.

But in order for the "accused" to do wrong as accuser would EXPECT them to do, a child would have to suffer. And why would the false accuser want that?

When suspicion and fear takes over, people do and say strange things, such as "The woman that YOU made for me, SHE gave to me and I did eat". And then promptly cover themselves from fear in silly figleaves.

Boyd Allen
"May the Lord protect our nudity from the sight of those who will not benefit, and may he allow us to be seen by those who will."