Free Background Check

Why Background Checks Matter

Before you send money to a freelancer, hire a contractor, or enter a business deal, you should know who you're dealing with. A quick background check can reveal red flags that save you from costly mistakes.

This isn't about distrust. It's about due diligence. The same way you'd research a company before investing, you should verify individuals before committing time or money to working with them.

What This Tool Checks

The background check searches multiple sources to build a trust profile:

• LinkedIn verification: Confirms the person has a legitimate professional presence
• Property records: Checks public real estate databases for ownership history
• Public databases: Searches available records for additional verification

The results combine into a trust score that gives you a quick read on how verifiable the person is through public sources.

Understanding Trust Scores

The trust score isn't a judgment of character. It measures how much verifiable information exists about someone in public databases. A high score means the person has a substantial digital footprint that can be corroborated. A low score means limited public information is available.

High Score (70-100)

Strong digital presence with multiple verifiable touchpoints. LinkedIn profile matches search criteria, property records or other public records found. This person is who they say they are.

Medium Score (40-69)

Some verification possible but gaps exist. May have LinkedIn but no property records, or records exist but don't fully match. Worth additional verification for high-stakes situations.

Low Score (0-39)

Limited verifiable information available. Could indicate a new professional, someone who values privacy, or potentially a fake identity. Proceed with appropriate caution.

When to Run Background Checks

Not every interaction requires verification. Reserve background checks for situations with meaningful risk:

• Hiring freelancers or contractors for significant projects
• Business partnerships where you're sharing equity or liability
• Large purchases from individual sellers
• Investment opportunities presented by individuals
• Rental applications from prospective tenants

Limitations of Online Background Checks

Free online checks provide useful signal but have limitations. They search public databases that may be incomplete or outdated. They cannot access criminal records, credit reports, or other restricted information.

For employment decisions or situations requiring comprehensive background checks, consider professional background check services that access more extensive databases and comply with relevant regulations like the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Privacy Considerations

Background checking someone is legal when you have a legitimate purpose. However, how you use the information matters. Don't make decisions based solely on online searches, and never share background check results publicly without consent.

Using This Free Background Check

Enter a name and location to search. The more specific you are, the better the results. "John Smith" returns thousands of matches. "John Smith in Austin, TX" narrows it down significantly.

Results include available information from each source checked along with an overall trust score. Use this as one input in your due diligence process, not as a final determination.