National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: How to Use Background Checks to Avoid Risky Situations

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: How to Use Background Checks to Avoid Risky Situations

National Crime Victims' Rights Week brings attention to people who have experienced crime and also reminds us to take steps to avoid joining the statistics. One way to protect yourself and the people you care about is to screen the new people you meet and interact with before trusting them.


Whether you are hiring a babysitter, finding a new roommate, or going on a date from an app, background checks could save your life.

What Is a Background Check?

A background check looks up public and private data to show you details about a person's details and history. You can see information such as personal details, past and current addresses, phone numbers, work history, criminal records, and even if they are a registered sex offender. The type of information received depends on which tool you use and what information you provide.

You don't have to be a police officer or employer to use one. There are some lookup tools made for regular people who want to feel safe before making big decisions.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (2023) reported 22.5 violent victimization's per 1,000 people aged 12 or older. That's a harsh reminder that simple safety steps are worth it.

Why Background Check Matters for Everyday Life

To be fair, the vast majority of the people you meet are likely good-natured and have nothing to hide. But not everyone is. Some people lie about employment history, relationships, and even their names. What seems harmless at first can turn into safety risks or legal trouble.

Using a background check helps you:

• Confirm that someone is who they say they are
• Catch red flags early before things get worse
• Know if someone has a violent or risky history
• Avoid putting your kids or home in danger

According to the FBI's Quarterly Uniform Crime Report for January through March 2024, there was a 15.2% decrease in reported violent crime compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, in 2024, the FBI reported a 26.4% drop in murder and a 25.7% drop in rape compared to 2023, but risk still exists

When to Use Background Check Tools

1. Hiring Babysitters and Nannies

It feels great to find a sitter who seems trustworthy and responsible. But never skip the background check. A kind smile doesn't guarantee safety—especially when trusting someone new with your child.

Here's what to look for:

• State and nationwide criminal records
• Sex offender registry status
• Past employment or caregiver roles
• Social media behavior
• References

You can use a background screening tool made for personal use, not just business checks.

In one case from 2022, a family in Arizona discovered their babysitter had a felony record for theft after running a background check. Before the check, the sitter had been left alone in the home with the children for several days.

Ask for their full name, date of birth, and any other names they may have used in the past. If they get defensive or delay sharing it, that's a red flag.

2. When Looking for a New Roommate

Getting a new roommate is more than just splitting the rent. This is someone who will be in your home around your things. And if things go wrong, it won't just be about broken dishes. You could be dealing with theft or even worse.

Use a background check to:

• See if they have past evictions or legal disputes
• Look at their criminal records
• Confirm identity details and previous addresses

A LegalJobs.io report in 2023 found that 18% of people do background checks on roommates or dates. It's becoming more common and more expected. If they claim to have lived in fancy places, but the search says otherwise, it might be time to move on.

3. Find Out Who You're Really Meeting in an Online Date

Dating apps make it easy to meet new people, but they can also open the door to scammers, cheaters, and liars. An advanced background check tool can help you feel better about saying yes to a date.

Look for tools that can:

• Reveal complete address and phone history
• Check previous employment and financial history
• Show any criminal history

A reverse phone lookup tool can be useful to know the name behind a phone number. FTC data released in 2023 said romance scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion between 2017 and 2022. Many victims were contacted through social media or dating apps.

If you feel unsure about someone, trust that feeling. You can check basic facts before you agree to meet. A few minutes of checking can save you from something that could cost much more.

4. Hiring Freelancers or Contractors

When hiring someone to come into your house and fix something or tutor your kids, check more than their Yelp page. Reviews help, but they don't tell the whole story.

A comprehensive background check reveals:

• Names and Aliases Associated With Subject
• Possible Previous Employers
• Potential Criminal Records
• Corporate Affiliations and Professional Licenses
• Financial History

The Better Business Bureau's 2024 scam report showed rising scams in home services, especially among unverified contractors.

Running a background check does not make you paranoid or dramatic. It's just a smart step and a critical part of due diligence before letting someone into your personal space.

What to Expect from a Good Background Check Tool

Not all tools are the same. Some give you surface-level info. Others offer more in-depth checks that include court records and private data sources.

A reliable tool should give you the following:

• Clear results without needing a law degree to understand them
• Comprehensive personal details, such full name and aliases, past and current addresses, phone numbers, date of birth, names of relatives, etc.
• Any criminal history or red flags like fraud or theft, violence, etc.
• Licenses, certifications, or any additional supporting information about a person's personal and professional life

Make sure you use a reputable site or service built for this type of personal use. Check reviews on the company to ensure it can deliver as promised. Avoid websites that require subscriptions or long-term commitments.

What You Need to Start Running a Background Check Report

To run a check, you need the following:

• Full name (first and last)
• Location (city and state)
• Date of birth

How to Inform Someone About Running Background Check Without Offending Them

You don't need to hide the fact that you are running a background check. Most people who are safe and honest will understand. Say something simple like:

"Hey, for safety, I always run a quick background check when I meet someone new. Hope that's okay."

If the person reacts in a hostile or dismissive manor, that tells you something too. If they have nothing to hide, it shouldn't be a problem.

Final Thoughts

No one wants to live in fear, but ignoring warning signs is not the answer. Running a background check isn't about being paranoid. It's about being smart. You have the right to feel safe around the people you let into your life.

Use this National Crime Victims' Rights Week to think about how you can protect yourself and the people around you. Whether it's a roommate, finding a date, babysitter, or contractor, you deserve to feel safe in your space. These tools help you make smart choices based on real facts.

Be safe. Be smart.