A background check is only as good as its verification. Instant online reports frequently confuse people with similar names, surface stale records, and cite no source. A licensed background investigation confirms records against the right individual, resolves false matches, and documents where every finding came from — so you can act on it with confidence.
What can a background investigation cover?
- Identity & alias verification — confirm the person is who they claim, including prior names and address history
- Criminal & civil records — county, state, and federal court research reviewed for correct identity matches
- Employment & education — verify titles, dates, degrees, and licenses directly at the source
- Financial red flags — liens, judgments, bankruptcies, and business filings from public records
- Reputation & associations — corporate roles, regulatory actions, and open-source findings relevant to your decision
When does the FCRA apply to my check?
If a report is used to decide employment, tenancy, insurance, or credit, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act governs it — requiring written consent, specific disclosures, and adverse-action steps. We identify where your use is FCRA-regulated, collect the required authorizations, and keep the investigation within the bounds of the law. As a firm operating under California BSIS PI License No. 190161, we work only from lawful sources and never rely on pretexting to obtain protected records. You can read the FTC's guidance on employer obligations at ftc.gov.
Why use a licensed investigator instead of a database?
A licensed investigator adds judgment that software cannot: distinguishing two people with the same name, spotting gaps a subject tried to hide, and cross-checking claims against primary sources. The result is a documented, source-cited report our licensed investigator can explain and stand behind — the difference between a lead and evidence you can rely on for a real decision.