What is a Public Search Website?
A public search site is designed for individual use and not for businesses. They use information that is readily available to the public and sell it to their consumers, usually for a monthly subscription fee. An example of one of these companies is Truthfinder. They are a legitimate business, but they are not a consumer reporting agency, as noted on their website.
What is a Consumer Reporting Agency?
A consumer reporting agency is a legitimate business that collects and sells information about consumers to third parties who are making decisions about hiring and/or renting. Landlords and employers use them for background checks. They abide by fair credit reporting laws.
When Should You Use The Public Search Website?
If you are a concerned parent and want to find any publicly available information on your son or daughter’s new love interest, this would allow you to investigate their social media profiles and past addresses. These sites will enable you to find information on an individual without their consent, although the information provided may not be accurate and may be misleading. One company, was recently sued over this.
When should you use a Consumer Reporting Agency?
If you are a business owner or you are a landlord, using a consumer-reporting agency will provide you with an accurate report of any of the following:
- Criminal Records
- Federal Records
- Driver History Reports
- Education Verification
- Employment Verification
- Credit Checks
- International Searches
The information provided in these reports is accurate and well researched before being provided. For example, an arrest record may appear on a Public Search website; however, if it never resulted in a conviction, it would not appear on a consumer reporting agency’s report, as it would be unlawful to penalize an applicant who has not been charged with a crime.
Consumer reporting agencies, such as us as Research Services, have access privileges. Research Services has access to the Connecticut records database dating back to the 1980s, allowing us to provide our clients with additional identifiers on records, such as social security, driver’s license, address, and the state police identity number. We provide Connecticut criminal reports that span over thirty-five years and more. Public search websites do not have access to this information.
Using a public search website as a business or landlord can expose you to potential discrimination based on non-factual information. To avoid lawsuits and to always receive accurate reports, you should always use a consumer reporting agency.
Contact us today to get started using a trustworthy service.
- Contact: Heather F.D.
- Title: Assistant Manager
- Email: heatherfd@rs4b.net
