What do Background Checks in the UK Include?

March 16, 2022 - Reading time: 7 minutes

As a leading detective agency based in the UK, our clients often ask us to complete background checks for them. Background checks are helpful in a wide range of different circumstances, such as:

• Pre-employment screening, to check the suitability of prospective employees
• Relationships background checks to check your partner’s history
• Checking your relative’s new partner
• Checking an ex-partner’s new partner to make sure they are safe to be around your children

What do background checks actually include?

Background checks come in a variety of different forms, in general however background checks may include any of the following:

• Verification of the subject’s personal details: Which may include their full name, home address, contact information, birth, death and marriage verification, national insurance number (if known) / passport details (if known) / driving license (where provided). Identity checks are used in order to verify that subjects are who they claim to be.
• Criminal history checks: Court cases / prosecutions / date / courts / judges / defendants / offences and indictments / sentences. Have they been convicted of a serious offence or featured in the media for criminal activity?
• Financial checks:  Bankruptcy and insolvency searches / credit checks, CCJ check and judgements check. Is the subject insolvent? Is the subject in debt or financially well placed?

Enhanced background checks

Enhanced background checks include all information contained in standard background checks, plus the following:

• Social media check: Are you aware of the subject’s digital footprint and any social media profiles which may be linked to them?
• International sanctions check: Are they listed on any international law enforcement, banking or governmental watch lists?
• Business interests check: Does the subject hold directorship or have any involvement in any existing companies in the UK or elsewhere?
• Reputation checks: Does the subject hold negative publicity in news, media or Internet sources?
• Address history check: This check will procure an address history which notes all linked addresses and cohabitants

If you would like a free quote for a background check, then please get in touch with us and let us know which exact checks you would like us to perform.

Why do people run background checks?

Background checks can be used in a variety of different cases. Whatever the situation though, background checks are used in order to verify the facts and ultimately to protect the interests of our clients. In today’s day and age, we believe you cannot be too careful when allowing a stranger into your family or business. Background checks can provide an excellent means to check people before allowing them to become involved in your affairs.

Background checks can provide warning signs that perhaps all is not as it should be. On the other hand, if everything checks out then they can provide you with excellent reassurance and peace of mind.

Employment background screening

Candidate screening is being used by an increasing number of employers to avoid hiring the wrong people.

When done properly, candidate screening can help to lower your exposure to risk of employee fraud or theft, and to guard against negative publicity which may also prove detrimental to the operation and success of your business.

Conducting adequate background checks prior to hiring makes sense for many of our clients, especially if the candidate is to be placed in a position of power or trust.

Employers will typically look to run identity and criminal history checks; which are often complimented by social media and reputation checks. 

Personal background screening

In today’s world, personal background screening can be used to provide warnings when nefarious individuals are potentially entering the lives of ourselves or of loved ones. Background checks can be used to safeguard those we care about and to provide the peace of mind and comfort that come from clear results.

While personal background checks can include premarital (or prenuptial checks), they are often used to check on the new partners of relatives; we can help to check your daughter’s new partner for example, or the new partner of your sister, brother, parent, or any other relation.

The motivation to run a background check is usually clear for our clients, and we endeavour to provide accurate and timely results every time.

Whether you are looking to safeguard yourself, your family, or business: If you have a suspicious feeling about a person, or even if you don’t, then we suggest there is something to be said for trusting your gut instincts and performing a background check. Background checks typically form a key element when performing due diligence in both a business and personal context.

Why you should choose PrivateInvestigators-UK for background checks

At PrivateInvestigators-UK, we aim to provide our clients with the best experience possible through person to person contact during all cases. We will endeavour to understand your requirements and provide the best and most cost-effective solution possible.

Please check our homepage for more information about us or feel free to get in touch with one of our experienced team members for more information or a free quote.

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