The BackgroundNow.com “DIY Search Tool” connects individuals and businesses directly to free or inexpensive public records sources for do-it-yourself background checks.
HOUSTON, TEXAS, May 30, 2008 — Informed Networks Corporation announces the launch of its www.BackgroundNow.com “DIY Search Tool”. It’s designed to connect individuals and businesses directly to free or inexpensive public records sources for do-it-yourself background checks.
The Center For Democracy & Technology conducted a nationwide survey of the practices of state and local courts in making information public via the Internet. It found a wide variety of practices and policies, and a nearly singular trend. Courts and other government background check services are making their records available via the Internet.
Free background checks are being offered by many government sources. Are background checks becoming an “open source” service?
Governments are making records available that span statewide background check services to many instances of single jurisdictions, such as county-level courts, providing Internet access to their records. Some governments provide access to both criminal and civil records while others restrict users’ access to records that may contain sensitive background check information. And while some governments offer free comprehensive access to their background check services, many others charge users a range of fees for Internet access.
On the one hand, moving to post background check services to the Internet represents a hushed upheaval in transparency and accountability for both individuals and government, part of a rapidly shifting social reality. Public access to electronic court background check services provides a convenient way for the public to broaden government checks and balances and ensure the fairness and equality of its operations.
Concurrent to the trend towards background check transparency, governments are struggling to find balance, such as balancing privacy and accountability. What information should be available Internet? Many governments make judicial opinions at the appellate levels freely available Internet but do not offer Internet access to trial court proceedings, which generally contain more detailed and sensitive evidence. Others offer access to trial court dockets and a variety of other information at the trial level. Should a distinction be drawn between civil cases and criminal background check access? Another set of issues concern cost. Is it appropriate to charge for Internet access? Does a subscription or fee-based system unfairly discriminate against those who cannot afford fees for background check services? Does it exclude everyday citizens? Questions like these pose a significant challenge to governments attempting to design background check services.
The BackgroundNow.com “DIY Search Tool” connects individuals and businesses directly to free or inexpensive public records sources for do-it-yourself background checks. The specialized tool searches a targeted group of information sources connecting users directly to government records sources. A search at BackgroundNow.com leads to the federal government’s registry for all federal criminal, civil, bankruptcy and tax cases, for example. The registry charges 8-cents per search. County courthouse websites can be located, many of which offer free searches of criminal, civil and traffic court cases. Also, Secretary Of State records can be accessed, giving users information on business ownership and transactions.
It provides anyone with the ability to search and locate individuals and businesses, criminal and civil court records, property records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, tax cases, business records, employment histories, federal government exclusion lists, OFAC records, FDA debarment records, healthcare sanctions records — in short, information to conduct a thorough background background check.
In addition to records sources, the BackgroundNow.com search tool offers guides to assist individuals with free advice on how to conduct their own background checks. “There is quite a bit of secrecy and misunderstanding surrounding background checks. In part because it was long the domain of private investigators who kept the tricks of the trade to themselves. Also locating the correct source of information can be a complex matter. The DIY Search Tool gives access to information needed to get the job done.”, says Lee Hill, CEO at Informed Networks Corporation.
There’s some mythology about background checks, such as the concept of “nationwide criminal records databases” that report criminal records from every jurisdiction in the United States. No such background check exists. Many commercial background check companies offer database searches that cover many jurisdictions in the majority of states, but they are all incomplete. Commercial nationwide criminal records databases can cover a lot of ground and inexpensively. So, they are worthwhile. However, they may not include the jurisdiction needed. The FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division manages the National Crime Information Center, a database of nationwide criminal records. It is the most complete source of records, yet even it is not perfect. Most misdemeanors are not included in the database and many county and state records never make their way to the FBI. En route to the FBI from counties and states there are breakdowns in the process. The DIY Search Tool empowers users with the information and sources to do a professional background check.
DIY is not for everyone, BackgroundNow.com’s services are especially well suited to small and medium-sized companies. BackgroundNow.com gives you direct access management expertise, versus impersonal service found at big background check companies. Informed Networks Corporation is a firm that offers highly personalized service and open access to expertise.
The company’s knowledge of background check sources and its research expertise is deep. BackgroundNow’s systems search billions of records and compile the background check services you want and deliver answers you need. BackgroundNow researchers investigate every county, state and federal courthouse in the United States, covering every background check records source in the US and 200 other countries around the globe. With direct access to online and onsite sources, you’ll get authoritative background check services now.
About Us
Informed Networks Corporation and its website, www.BackgroundNow.com, provide extensive background check services exclusively to businesses. The background check services company was founded in 2003 and serves hundreds of companies throughout the USA.
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Contact:
Lee E Hill
Informed Networks Corporation
1526 Phoenician Drive
Katy, Texas 77494
(713) 784-3232 x3142
[email protected]
http://www.BackgroundNow.com
